Skimmer

[UKjames]

I’m wondering if my skimmer is set up right.

It looks like this


It looks as if the sump balance is blocked off. What are the implications of this?
I don’t have a weir door should I?
I also don’t seem to have a balance device to sit on top, albeit this wouldn’t work given the balance is blocked.

 

[Texas Splash]

It's possible the one line is blocked because it was never connected to anything. Or perhaps it used to go to a main drain that was leaking. That would also explain why there is no diverter above to control water flow between the two. SO ow you probably just have suction from the skimmer (surface cleaning) to the pad. But yes, a weir is important to help channel and pull water into the skimmer. There are various aftermarket weirs available.

 

[UKjames]

Thanks TS. Im fairly sure the main drain does work as I have a separate suction line with shut off valve to the pump ( and If I shut the skimmer off the water still circulates). I have a floating basket within the basket but sounds like I need to get a weir door too, problem is I’ve no idea on the model of the skimmer other than its an American products one, any pointers?

 

[Texas Splash]

If you take some basic measurements of the skimmer opening, you should be able to find a retrofit weir. They have various ones that come in flexible sizes (i.e. spring loaded tabs, etc).

 

[UKjames]

I do have a vacuum port that is shut off (as I understood it leaked) do skimmers get connected to these?

do I need to worry about balancing via the shut off valves in some way?

 

[Texas Splash]

Connecting a vacuum (manual vacuuming) varies depending on how the pool was built and plumbed. Some pools have a dedicated vacuum port somewhere. For those that do not (like mine), my vacuum hose goes into the skimmer opening. But I only have one 2" skimmer hole, so my vacuum hose drops right in. If you only have that one smaller suction like in the skimmer, you'll need the right adapter to fit to your vacuum hose.

If you are concerned about balancing water flow from the main drain versus the skimmer, generally speaking starting at about 75% versus 25% (skimmer vs drain) is a good place to start. Surface skimming is generally more important, but you can always adjust them as you see fit. Water pull from skimmer or drain is flexible.

 

[UKjames]

I take the basket out and put the hose into the open skimmer port to vacuum.

How do you calibrate the skim/sump mix?

I have just one return which is at the same end as the skimmer.

I don’t really get a problem with stuff in the pool surface, I get a few bugs that end on the bottom(but I guess if my skimmer were more powerful then more bugs would go there than drown and sink?

 

[Texas Splash]

How do you calibrate the skim/sump mix?

If I understand your question correctly, you are referring to how to adjust water pull from the skimmer and drain/sump. I think you said each had its own valve at the pad right? So just find a good balance of water flow from each location. A good place to start is having the skimmer at about 60% open and the drain/sump at about 40% open. You can always adjust them from there.

 

[RMcGirr83]

Post a pic of your pool equipment pad with the pipes.

 

[UKjames]

Post a pic of your pool equipment pad with the pipes.

this is what I have