Closing off shared main drain/skimmer and vacuum line…

[EndlessSummerAZ]

I’m wanting to run my suction side vacuum and solar skimmer as my main cleaning methods. The only issue I see is that the main drain/skimmer share a line with the suction vacuum. Because they share a line, I have to close off the main drain/skimmer to about 75% at 2600rpm to match the advised wheel rpm on the vacuum manual.

Will my pump run dry if the main drain side is closed off 75% and the vacuum clogs? How limited will filtration be if it’s mainly coming in from the vacuum line at 1000rpm for 8 hours a day? Is there a better way to configure this?

 

[proavia]

Your pump won't run dry if you have 25% set on the skimmer side. At full RPM, the suction side may strain a little but water will still flow as long as there are no air leaks.

Chances are, with the main drain plumbed thru the skimmer, that the main drain is pulling very little water and most is coming from the skimmer - regardless if it's set at 25% or 100% open on the main drain/skimmer line. Is there a skimmer float valve in the bottom of your skimmer?

 

[EndlessSummerAZ]

Your pump won't run dry if you have 25% set on the skimmer side. At full RPM, the suction side may strain a little but water will still flow as long as there are no air leaks.

Chances are, with the main drain plumbed thru the skimmer, that the main drain is pulling very little water and most is coming from the skimmer - regardless if it's set at 25% or 100% open on the main drain/skimmer line. Is there a skimmer float valve in the bottom of your skimmer?

Yes we’ve got a float valve. Nothing to adjust on it. Looks like it’s just there to keep it from sucking air.

 

[proavia]

A correctly working float valve in the skimmer is mainly there to divert skimmer suction to the main drain if the pool water level falls below the skimmer opening.
Some have an adjustment flap/door to restrict the skimmer side and allow a little water to be pulled from the main drain in normal operation.