Help Needed with Understanding Water Features and Pool Equipment

[alexanderwilliams2415]

Hello everyone,

I bought a home with a pool 9 months ago. I'm a first time pool owner. I've used this site constantly over the past months to learn and it has been a very valuable resource. Thank you to everyone who contributes! This is my first substantive post with a few questions that I have. I'm on my own as far as figuring it out (I didn't build it), so you guys are my only hope! I have attached a photo of the equipment setup as well as the pool.

1. This pool has a spillover from the hot tub. The water sound isn't peaceful; it is more stressful (even on low pump speed). Am I able to turn off the spillover, but still circulate/filter the pool water? I can't find the information in the manual. I've read all I can on this website about it. And a local pool company said it has to be on all the time (but they ended up being wrong about many things recently). I'd like to just never use the spillover, circulate and filter water through skimmers and returns, and have a quiet pool. Is this possible?
2. What is the common use of the waterfall water feature? I only have one pump. I also have a spillover from the hot tub like I mentioned. The waterfall feature is however a pleasant sound and sight. If I have this on, from what I have read it does not filter the water. Is that correct? If so, is it just for parties or special occasions? I'm trying to understand when and how to use it.
3. How do I turn on the water features on the first lounging pool step. I'm sorry I don't remember the terminology, but if you look at the photo, it is the two black rings on the top of the step in the water. They somehow got turned off and I want to circulate some sanitized water thorough the pipes.
4. Spa blower. I haven't had success turning that on. I press the blower button on the control panel, but I don't see a change. Is there something that I am missing?
5. Lastly, I don't plan on using the hot tub in this pool much. I have a freestanding hot tub previously purchased that I prefer. How often do I need to turn the equipment on spa mode to circulate sanitized water through the jets and drain?

Thank you all very much for helping with this. I really have tried to be comprehensive and these are some lingering questions that have gone unanswered for months. Please let me know any questions you have and I will do my best to answer them.

Alexander

 

[Jimrahbe]

Alex,

If you look on the left side of your pics, you can see a red ball valve. It is set to off. I suspect that if you turn that red valve on, it will run your waterfall.

Just to the left of the red valve is a Jandy valve, if you set the handle of that valve so that it point straight down, it will shut off your spa spillover.

The problem of course is that without the spillover working, at least some of the time, your spa will never get any fresh water.

Since you have an automation system, it should have a Spillover mode that you can schedule a couple of times a day for 30 minutes each time. This will keep your spa filled with fresh water. I am not sure what automation system you have???

The water going to your waterfall appears to be after the filter.

Try that and see what you find,

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[1poolman1]

Hello everyone,

I bought a home with a pool 9 months ago. I'm a first time pool owner. I've used this site constantly over the past months to learn and it has been a very valuable resource. Thank you to everyone who contributes! This is my first substantive post with a few questions that I have. I'm on my own as far as figuring it out (I didn't build it), so you guys are my only hope! I have attached a photo of the equipment setup as well as the pool.

1. This pool has a spillover from the hot tub. The water sound isn't peaceful; it is more stressful (even on low pump speed). Am I able to turn off the spillover, but still circulate/filter the pool water? I can't find the information in the manual. I've read all I can on this website about it. And a local pool company said it has to be on all the time (but they ended up being wrong about many things recently). I'd like to just never use the spillover, circulate and filter water through skimmers and returns, and have a quiet pool. Is this possible?
2. What is the common use of the waterfall water feature? I only have one pump. I also have a spillover from the hot tub like I mentioned. The waterfall feature is however a pleasant sound and sight. If I have this on, from what I have read it does not filter the water. Is that correct? If so, is it just for parties or special occasions? I'm trying to understand when and how to use it.
3. How do I turn on the water features on the first lounging pool step. I'm sorry I don't remember the terminology, but if you look at the photo, it is the two black rings on the top of the step in the water. They somehow got turned off and I want to circulate some sanitized water thorough the pipes.
4. Spa blower. I haven't had success turning that on. I press the blower button on the control panel, but I don't see a change. Is there something that I am missing?
5. Lastly, I don't plan on using the hot tub in this pool much. I have a freestanding hot tub previously purchased that I prefer. How often do I need to turn the equipment on spa mode to circulate sanitized water through the jets and drain?

Thank you all very much for helping with this. I really have tried to be comprehensive and these are some lingering questions that have gone unanswered for months. Please let me know any questions you have and I will do my best to answer them.

Alexander

1. If you don't allow water to spillover from the spa during normal filtration it will become stagnant. You could turn the valve handle between the check valve and the red-handled ball valve to the six-o'clock position and then schedule a time for the spa to run about an hour a day, but you have no chemicals being added. Is it possible that you have a spill-over mode/schedule? If so, all the water will come from the pool and then be sent to the spa, resulting in a large waterfall. The way the valves are set now looks like you should get a gentle overflow from the spa when in "pool" mode.
2. Don't see the waterfall in the pictures.
3. The bubblers on the lounge are probably controlled by the red-handled ball valve that is now closed.
4. On some blowers there is a switch that must be in the "on" position for it to work when power is applied by the automation.
5. You should fire the pool/spa heater at least once a month to keep it relatively clear of spiders and to know that it will work when you actually need it to.

For the sake of your equipment, especially the heater, and the fact that you have an SWG, don't put tablets in the in-line chlorinator

 

[alexanderwilliams2415]

Alex,

If you look on the left side of your pics, you can see a red ball valve. It is set to off. I suspect that if you turn that red valve on, it will run your waterfall.

Just to the left of the red valve is a Jandy valve, if you set the handle of that valve so that it point straight down, it will shut off your spa spillover.

The problem of course is that without the spillover working, at least some of the time, your spa will never get any fresh water.

Since you have an automation system, it should have a Spillover mode that you can schedule a couple of times a day for 30 minutes each time. This will keep your spa filled with fresh water. I am not sure what automation system you have???

The water going to your waterfall appears to be after the filter.

Try that and see what you find,

Thanks,

Jim R.

Jim,

When I turned on that red ball valve, the bubbler jets on the lounge step turned on.

Then I turned off that Jandy valve next to it, and all the pool return jets went off. With more power to the bubbler jets on the lounge step.

I have Hayward Omnilogic. So are you saying that I should set a schedule for "spa" mode each day? Would that circulate the water better in the spa rather than run the pump in "pool" mode?

Thanks for your help!

 

[alexanderwilliams2415]

1. If you don't allow water to spillover from the spa during normal filtration it will become stagnant. You could turn the valve handle between the check valve and the red-handled ball valve to the six-o'clock position and then schedule a time for the spa to run about an hour a day, but you have no chemicals being added. Is it possible that you have a spill-over mode/schedule? If so, all the water will come from the pool and then be sent to the spa, resulting in a large waterfall. The way the valves are set now looks like you should get a gentle overflow from the spa when in "pool" mode.
2. Don't see the waterfall in the pictures.
3. The bubblers on the lounge are probably controlled by the red-handled ball valve that is now closed.
4. On some blowers there is a switch that must be in the "on" position for it to work when power is applied by the automation.
5. You should fire the pool/spa heater at least once a month to keep it relatively clear of spiders and to know that it will work when you actually need it to.

For the sake of your equipment, especially the heater, and the fact that you have an SWG, don't put tablets in the in-line chlorinator

Thanks 1poolman1.

1. I do have the ability to do a schedule for spill over mode. I guess what you are saying is that I need to get the manual valves set right, then set up my automation to my liking.

2. The waterfall feature is the exact same as the spa spillover. The waterfall is just a more pleasant water flow into the pool.

3. Thanks! You got it.

4. I looked for a manual switch, but didn't find it. I will keep trying with the automation program.

5. That sounds like great advice, thank you.

Thanks for that advice too! Does the tablets deteriorate the heater prematurely or something?

 

[Jimrahbe]

When I turned off that Jandy valve next to it, and all the pool return jets went off.

Alex,

Are you sure?? The Jandy valve to the left of the red ball valve either sends water up and to your spa spillover or it sends water down and to pool returns. In theory having the handle point down should shut off the upper pipe and the spillover. Turning the handle up should shut off all the pool returns.

Play with it in both positions and see what you find.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[alexanderwilliams2415]

Jim,

Thanks for the detailed help. You got it! I did as you said and I have the pool circulating, with no spillover from the spa! Thank you very much.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Alex

Please keep in mind that something has to add fresh water to the spa a couple of times a day.

If you have the Spillway Function set up, you can just schedule it to come on, twice a day, for 30 minutes at a time.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[alexanderwilliams2415]

I certainly will, thank you Jim!

 

[1poolman1]

Thanks 1poolman1.

1. I do have the ability to do a schedule for spill over mode. I guess what you are saying is that I need to get the manual valves set right, then set up my automation to my liking.

2. The waterfall feature is the exact same as the spa spillover. The waterfall is just a more pleasant water flow into the pool.

3. Thanks! You got it.

4. I looked for a manual switch, but didn't find it. I will keep trying with the automation program.

5. That sounds like great advice, thank you.

Thanks for that advice too! Does the tablets deteriorate the heater prematurely or something?

When the system is off the tablets in a feeder like that continue dissolving. The very corrosive solution can and will flow backwards through the system. In your case it will hit the blades in the SWG cell. They can be damaged by it. Then, it can flow further still to the heater into the manifold and then the heat exchanger, damaging both, especially the exchanger as it is a soft metal.

They were designed for commercial properties where the equipment usually runs longer than a residential pool and a way of automatically adding sanitizer is required by most jurisdictions. Because they also add CYA, they are no longer legal on commercial pools in my area. You have an SWG, there is no need for that feeder.

 

[alexanderwilliams2415]

When the system is off the tablets in a feeder like that continue dissolving. The very corrosive solution can and will flow backwards through the system. In your case it will hit the blades in the SWG cell. They can be damaged by it. Then, it can flow further still to the heater into the manifold and then the heat exchanger, damaging both, especially the exchanger as it is a soft metal.

They were designed for commercial properties where the equipment usually runs longer than a residential pool and a way of automatically adding sanitizer is required by most jurisdictions. Because they also add CYA, they are no longer legal on commercial pools in my area. You have an SWG, there is no need for that feeder.

Thank you very much for explaining that. I won't ever use it!