I'm building a pool in Costa Rica- this means I don't need a heater, nor a spa, and I'm not worried about meeting US building codes. I'm using a 40' shipping container as the basis for it and have various questions about skimmer placement, returns, and equipment. To complicate things, the property is completely off grid, and I'd like to use the pool as a rain water catchment and treat the water without chemicals so that it can be an emergency back-up water supply. It will be an in-ground installation with a pump room located at the same elevations as the floor of the pool.
The pooI is 7.5' w x 39.5' long x 5.5' deep, or about 12,250 gallons. It is all the same depth with a ladder for access. I plan to purchase a DC driven solar panel powered pool pump from SunRay Solar. Their 1HP brush design model can pump 50' head at 90V off 3 panels. https://sunrayus.com/SunRay-SolFlo1-1HP-Flow-Chart.pdf
My primary question is on skimmer placement. A local pool shop recommended 1 skimmer at the midpoint of the side, with returns placed to create 2 counterclockwise flows from the center outward towards the ends and back again. They also recommended two bottom drains spaced about 6' apart in the center. I was thinking of 2 returns at each end on each side, with 2 in the upper portions of the water and two deeper down, for a total of 8 for the pool. I was also thinking of placing a vacuum suction port opposite the skimmer at the midpoint. I'm thinking that above ground pool skimmers that have front and back gaskets bolted together will work fine for the steel wall installation.
But then I read that the skimmer is best placed where wind would push debris, which would be one end, which makes sense. But is one skimmer enough at one end? And how many returns are really needed. Too many returns may mean too much pvc piping and the pump may need to be bigger just for that? I'm thinking 1.5" piping is likely enough throughout?
On the cleaning side I am leaning towards a cartridge filer and an ozonation unit. In the long run I would like to incorporate the natural pond in the front yard with the pool in back and get the water treated completely naturally but that is future fodder.
Any input will be greatly appreciated...
The pooI is 7.5' w x 39.5' long x 5.5' deep, or about 12,250 gallons. It is all the same depth with a ladder for access. I plan to purchase a DC driven solar panel powered pool pump from SunRay Solar. Their 1HP brush design model can pump 50' head at 90V off 3 panels. https://sunrayus.com/SunRay-SolFlo1-1HP-Flow-Chart.pdf
My primary question is on skimmer placement. A local pool shop recommended 1 skimmer at the midpoint of the side, with returns placed to create 2 counterclockwise flows from the center outward towards the ends and back again. They also recommended two bottom drains spaced about 6' apart in the center. I was thinking of 2 returns at each end on each side, with 2 in the upper portions of the water and two deeper down, for a total of 8 for the pool. I was also thinking of placing a vacuum suction port opposite the skimmer at the midpoint. I'm thinking that above ground pool skimmers that have front and back gaskets bolted together will work fine for the steel wall installation.
But then I read that the skimmer is best placed where wind would push debris, which would be one end, which makes sense. But is one skimmer enough at one end? And how many returns are really needed. Too many returns may mean too much pvc piping and the pump may need to be bigger just for that? I'm thinking 1.5" piping is likely enough throughout?
On the cleaning side I am leaning towards a cartridge filer and an ozonation unit. In the long run I would like to incorporate the natural pond in the front yard with the pool in back and get the water treated completely naturally but that is future fodder.
Any input will be greatly appreciated...