Main drain and rock feature CUT out of the plumbing loop - trying to repair

[karmabiker]

With the help of this site I now have a VERY beautiful pool and am a huge advocate of TFP to anyone that will sit still long enough to listen. So ... THANK YOU.

Now down to business... One of the prior owners of the house has some "work" done to the pool. in that process they managed to cut the main drain and the rock feature out of the plumbing loop. I identified the rock feature (which I didn't know was there) by running a garden hose on high into the cut PVC. That approach didnt work for the main drain. I couldn't figure out where the water was going so I added (not the best idea here:/) food coloring. Viola ... pipes identified. The question at hand now is what is the best way to plumb these back in.

I also need to replace the drains with anti suck covers ... recommendations?

I'm running booster for the cleaner and a 2 speed pump for the mains. The 2 speed is on low except when the booster is running for the cleaner or we have the spa cranked up.

The main part of the mess:


The rest:







The drains:

 

[karmabiker]

Bigger version of the one with text.


Pool Shot:


Why I do this ... (2 1/2 weeks old)

 

[JasonLion]

The trick with the drain covers is to get a model number off the drains. The alternative is to remove one of the covers and take it into a pool store and see if they can match it.

The tall pipe with a notch cut out of the side near some electrical boxes is the air supply for the spa jets. Presumably you have jets that draw in air on their own and don't need a blower, but they still need the air to come from somewhere.

Integrating the main drain and rock bubbler into your system is going to mean replacing a fair amount of plumbing. Those three way valves and 90s are so close together there isn't really enough room to patch new lines in without replacing the whole assembly. If you are willing to do that much replacing, it won't be especially difficult, just be methodical and work through what you want valved in what order.

 

[karmabiker]

This is what I had in mind for the suction side:

Any opinions on where the rock bubblers should be in the valving on the pressure side? I'm contemplating adding a section onto the main feed for the spa (when in pool mode) and using that to feed the bubblers.

 

[karmabiker]

There is enough pipe on the other side of the chlorinator that this would be doable without ripping the pressure side out.

I'm afraid the suction side will be hacksaw and do over.