Water supply for water features

Chungus · Apr 11, 2020

We have a new pool that we built and are having some issues with water flow due to some changes made after the initial plumbing was ran.

The pool has a 3hp intelliflo pump for the main pump. It draws from the two main drains, a skimmer, and has a cleaning port. The water goes through a sand filter and the heater This part works fine.

When we originally designed the pool it was going to have a free standing water feature with three 1’ shears along with two bubblers on the tanning ledge. We changed things midstream and built an elevated outdoor kitchen alongside the pool with a total of 7’ of water shears coming out the front. The bubblers and shears are fed with a separate 2.5 HP pump with no filtration. It draws water from a separate skimmer. The flow was anemic so we disconnected the main drains from the main pump and connected them to water feature pump and it flows as it should. So the problem is not enough supply for the the water feature pump when drawing from a single skimmer.

My question is how should I best remedy this? Drawing water and dirt from the bottom of the pool and dumping it back in unfiltered doesn’t seem to make sense. Should the water feature maybe draw from both skimmers? Maybe one skimmer and the cleaning port and then just connect to a skimmer when vacuuming? Add a second filter for the water feature?

Jimrahbe · Apr 11, 2020

C,

You never want to run unfiltered water through shears.. In my opinion your only real option is to leave the water feature pump connected to the main drains and to add a filter between the main drains and the shears.. Your main pool pump will work just fine with just the two skimmers, since main drains really don't do much to begin with.

In addition, your vacuum port should never be left open. It should have spring safety cap that keeps it shut unless in use.

I am curious how old is the pool. I ask because 7' of shears has to make a heck of a lot of noise, plus a single speed pump running adds to that. As stunning as it must look, the use of water features tends to exponentially decrease over time..

Thanks,

Jim R.

Chungus · Apr 11, 2020

Thank you for the reply. I am not doubting filtered water being better for the shears but my PB said he always hooks them up this way.

The pool is brand new. Filled with water 2-3 weeks ago and they are still completing the final details. So it seems adding a second filter is the best solution. They are only around $500 I think so that isn't a huge problem. Can the back wash pipe be tied together with two filters? We did a lot of work to run the existing backwash line out of the backyard and don't want to have to run another.

Jimrahbe · Apr 11, 2020

C,

I can't think of a reason not to plumb the two backwash was pipes together.. I would try to use a "Y" fitting to help keep the flow separate. Not that you will be backwashing them at the same time anyway..

Not sure where your pool builder got his training, but I'm pretty sure that most shears have instructions about only using filtered water. I assume we are talking a shear where there is just a very thin long opening, and not just a long water fall with a large opening..

If you have the name and part number of the shear, you can just look up the installation instructions.

Thanks,

Jim R.

jimmythegreek · Apr 11, 2020

Sheers should always have filtered water. They do have a rock trap they come with but a pebble or debris can get stuck in them easily, hence why they come with a sliding clean out tool. I never run water features off a skimmer too much flow and suction. Either main drains or wall drains and if needed I add a second pump AND filter. The novelty wears off and they make your PH rise. I run mine when company is over or dont wanna hear the wife talking lol

Jimrahbe · Apr 11, 2020

jimmythegreek said:
or dont wanna hear the wife talking

I can just do that mentally... :mrgreen:

Jim R.

Chungus · Apr 12, 2020

Thanks. I will tell the PB to add a filter.

Chungus · Apr 12, 2020

This is what the shears look like. Seems lots of people mention the noise. I have never even really noticed it. So you think the best way to configure this would be connecting the shears solely to the main drains (with a filter) and then hook the main pump up to just the skimmers?

I don't fully understand it but I know in my pond the water stratifies bad. The near surface can get really warm and the bottom cold. It seems that pulling the water from the main drains to go through the main pump and heater was a good thing.

Worried if I go this route and the water features are off the water near the bottom of the pool would not be getting moved?

I guess an option would be to get an automatic valve that when the water feature was off would allow the main pump to pull from the main drains and when the features were on it would actuate and switch over to let the secondary water feature pump pull from the main drains? Or is this not a concern?

We have an automatic cover and when not in use it is closed. The water features are off the majority of the time but once we open the cover and are using the pool we turn them on.

Jimrahbe · Apr 12, 2020

C,

I like your idea to use an automated valve that controls where the water from the main drains go. That would be the best of both worlds..

Thanks,

Jim R.

Chungus · Apr 13, 2020

Would this be a good filter for the water feature pump? 160353 Clean and Clear RP 200 sq. ft. In-Ground Pool Cartridge Filter

Our main filter is a sand filter but it doesn't seem they make a sand filter with enough GPM for the water features and we don't have room to add two more sand filters in parallel. I guess dealing with the cartridge might be a pain but if it is only being ran when the water features are on and not 24/7 it might not need servicing too often.

jimmythegreek · Apr 13, 2020

A cartridge filter is the best choice for flow for water features. Biggest you can fit in the space available

Chungus · Apr 13, 2020

My PB said he has a cartridge filter at his shop and is happy to come install it but that he has been installing water shears for 11 years without them and has never had a problem. The manual clearly says it needs one so I don’t know. He said the cartridge filters are a pain to maintain and winterize. He did like the idea of the actuator to switch the main drains between the main pump and water feature pump but seemed negative on the additional filter.

mknauss · Apr 13, 2020

Where in Texas do you winterize a pool?

Chungus · Apr 13, 2020

In the panhandle. Heck it is supposed to freeze tonight.

mknauss · Apr 13, 2020

OK -- had never heard of any of other Texas members winterizing.

Take care.

jimmythegreek · Apr 14, 2020

Technically you do not need filtered water you only need to install the rock trap. Unless you were using the water feature once in a blue moon for a party trick you should filter the water and install a filter for it. PB have been doing the same thing forever and it means nothing. Half of them install tab dispensers and recommend using pucks forever.....we know what that does to your water and CYA levels

Jimrahbe · Apr 14, 2020

mknauss said:
had never heard of any of other Texas members winterizing.

Marty,

We consider the "panhandle" as part of Oklahoma any way... :mrgreen:

Jim R.

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