How to plumb up the skimmer, outlet and vac point please - does this look right?

[mister_rossi_x]

Hi all

I've got a Plastica Nazca wooden AGP I'm building and it's not clear exactly how I should plumb up the pool outlet, skimmer (one pipe out) and vac point.

I assume all three have to ultimately connect to the pump suction, but is there a specific order / flow I should use? There's two T junction pipes supplied, what if I did something like the attached pic?

Or is the low level suction outlet too direct compared to the other two points?

Also, I have several valve taps (i.e. on / off points). Should I put one after all 3 just before the pump or should I put one after each output point?

Thanks!
Ross

 

[1poolman1]

Hi all

I've got a Plastica Nazca wooden AGP I'm building and it's not clear exactly how I should plumb up the pool outlet, skimmer (one pipe out) and vac point.

I assume all three have to ultimately connect to the pump suction, but is there a specific order / flow I should use? There's two T junction pipes supplied, what if I did something like the attached pic?

Or is the low level suction outlet too direct compared to the other two points?

Also, I have several valve taps (i.e. on / off points). Should I put one after all 3 just before the pump or should I put one after each output point?

Thanks!
Ross

You need a valve to isolate/modulate the vac port by closing off the skimmer line at least a bit. If plumbed as in the diagram without one, the suction would all go to the skimmer when a cleaner, manual or automatic, is in the vac port as it would be the "easier" way for the pump to get water.

 

[mister_rossi_x]

Thanks... so if I added a valve in that position as per the attached, I could close that when I then wanted to do any vacuuming?

 

[1poolman1]

That

Thanks... so if I added a valve in that position as per the attached, I could close that when I then wanted to do any vacuuming?

That's one way, yes. You could also add a valve to each of those lines so that they can be isolated in case of any issues that may arise.

 

[mister_rossi_x]

Thanks again. I've attached my latest plan; I've got a total of 4 valves plus there's a bypass set up for the heat pump, but I'm yet to unbox that properly and work out how that works so I'm not sure where the put the 4th valve yet. I was thinking I don't really need one on the vac line, as that has a removable / unscrewable cap, so most of the time it won't be in use. When I want to vacuum, I guess I'd turned off the pump, close the valve at the bottom after the skimmer and the outlet and then unscrew the cap, screw in the vacuum, fill with water and remove air bubbles and turn on the pump again.
By having the valve after the skimmer I can adjust flow if there's too much suction on the skimmer vs the main drain / outlet. As my pool is covered (in a polytunnel) then getting leaves in it is unlikely (although I will have a window, and kids are going to get grass on their feet etc so still need the skimmer) then there's more likely to be dirt at the bottom and hence maybe a 70/30 ratio between main drain/skimmer... however, if I do have a spare valve then I'll put it after the main drain before the skimmer connection so I can also adjust that flow.

 

[mister_rossi_x]

Updated... worked out my bypass set up. Means I do have a spare valve... and it makes more sense to have a separate one for my outlet as well as my skimmer, and even gives me one for the vac point - diagram updated. Hopefully this is the optimum set up?!