In ground pool with no main drain

[jk7228]

Our PB wants to sell us an upgrade to a pool without a main drain.

It consists of a Hayward ecostar variable speed pump, low returns for better circulation, and 2 skimmers. This will be for an inground pool approximately 33 x 17.

Is this a good option? Can you really achieve enough circulation without a main drain? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[JasonLion]

For a fairly standard pool without any waterfalls or other major water features, a variable speed pump is only worth it if your electric rates are $0.20/kwh or higher. Otherwise you will never pay back the extra up front costs. With low electric rates a two speed pump is a much better choice.

While it can be really nice to have a main drain sometimes, it certainly isn't required and does not affect the pump choice.

 

[ivyleager]

I have a 38 x 18 inground rectangular pool. One speed pump, one skimmer, 2 return, no main drain. I have NO problem with adequate circulation. I would add that I tend to use pump >8 hrs day.

 

[jk7228]

Thanks for the information. I'm not as worried about the energy savings as I am with the noise. I was told the variable speed pumps are much quieter. Is that true?

 

[Isaac-1]

My pool also has only one skimmer and two returns, and while it works, there are many times I wish it had a main drain, so much so that I am strongly considering doing a major renovation next time it needs a new liner, and part of that will be adding a main drain. As to the pump, you might consider getting a 2 speed pump, they are considerably cheaper than the variable speed models.

 

[Richard320]

I like having a drain.

It always seems to happen that just after I vacuum and put everything away I spot one or two pieces I missed. So I set things to pull from the drain and gently brush the stuff downhill to it, and it gets sucked away.

Normally I get maybe 30% from the drain. I don't have that temperature stratification some pool have. Low returns would probably accomplish the same thing.

 

[Malibu07]

My pool is a 28 x 14 and we have two main drains, 4 returns, 1 skimmer and two jet spas in the steps. I am glad we got the main drains as they are handy pumping off water when we get a lot of rain. With out a main drain how do you pump out excess water?

 

[carlscan26]

My pool is a 28 x 14 and we have two main drains, 4 returns, 1 skimmer and two jet spas in the steps. I am glad we got the main drains as they are handy pumping off water when we get a lot of rain. With out a main drain how do you pump out excess water?

From the skimmer - you never want to drain below the working level of the skimmer anyway

 

[JasonLion]

Both variable speed pumps, and two speed pumps, running on low speed are much quieter than any pump running at full speed.

 

[jk7228]

Thanks to everyone for all the info. I don't think I'm going to go with this PB. Another one I met with quoted me all Pentair products with a choice of a 2 speed Whisperflo or a Challenger. I felt like the no main drain wasn't really an "upgrade" anyway.