Vacuum Skim Plate?

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mickey4paws

mickey4paws

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Apr 10, 2009
754
S.E. MI
We have an automatic cleaner that does not run off the pump. But sometimes we want to manually vacuum with a hose and vacuum head. I came across this:

"Skim Plate – This plate goes in the skimmer closest to your filter system and fits over your skimmer basket. The other side of the skim plate adapts to the vacuum hose. One of the most common mistakes people make when vacuuming their pool is not using a skim plate and putting the vacuum hose directly into the skimmer pipe."

We have a plate that goes on top of the hole where the skimmer basket is, but it doesn't faciliate the vacuum hose in any way. It just has a small hole in the center for using your finger to lift up the plate. We have been vacuuming by putting the hose directly into the skimmer pipe. This is wrong? What does a vacuum skim plate look like? I'm so confused :(
 
A vacuum plate is not necessary but it can be nice to have. You need to get the one for your model skimmer and not all skimmers have them available. It is a plate that fits acroess the top of the skimmer basket and had a tube stcking out either straight or 90 deg. to attach the hose to. The advantage is that big stuff gets caught in the skimmer basket instead of the pump basket and the skimmer basket is much easier to clean out.
Here is a pic of a Hayward plate for an AGP skimmer
http://www.americasbestpoolsupply.com/p ... e/8073.jpg

There is nothing wrong with putting the hose directly into the bottom of the skimmer, btw!
 
waterbear said:
There is nothing wrong with putting the hose directly into the bottom of the skimmer, btw!
Click to expand...

But if you're going to, or you're using a dedicated suction port for you vacuum, use a leaf rake or something to remove larger debris. Leaves, nuts, twigs, etc. can all clog pipes over time, especially in a skimmer where there's often a 90 degree bend a few feet away. A vac plate will eliminate that possibility.
 
Thanks so much for the replies. What I don't understand is when you use this vacuum plate, how is suction formed since you're not putting the hose directly into the skimmer pipe?

Also, when putting the hose in the skimmer pipe, the debris ends up in the pump basket, so why is it when using the vacuum plate and having the debris end up in the skimmer basket better, or, is it just easier to clean?
 
mickey4paws said:
Thanks so much for the replies. What I don't understand is when you use this vacuum plate, how is suction formed since you're not putting the hose directly into the skimmer pipe?
The plate makes a tight seal on the top of the skimmer basket. That is why you need the correct vac plate for your model of skimmer.
Also, when putting the hose in the skimmer pipe, the debris ends up in the pump basket, so why is it when using the vacuum plate and having the debris end up in the skimmer basket better, or, is it just easier to clean?
Click to expand...
It is easier to clean the skimmer basket than the pump basket and things don't go through the plumbing, as spishex said!
 
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