I'd love feedback on my plans for the skimmers and returns locations

[Love_Swimming]

I’m doing a lap pool that is long and narrow, so I need feedback on which of the two approaches below is better for the locations of the skimmers and returns. My main hesitation with approach B is that after about 20 feet, the water flow from the return will spread out to a lot of the narrow width of the pool, and run directly into and up against the water coming from the return on the opposite end. If so, it seems the flow (and the leaves) wouldn’t reach the skimmer on the opposite end, and too many leaves would get stuck at the center of the pool where the two currents meet. Any thoughts on that or other issues with layout B?

My question with layout A is if any issues may occur if the flow is going only in 1 direction, or if there’s no skimmer on one end? I’m going to get a soft-sided above ground pool, and the cutouts will need to be done in advance by a factory. The dimensions will be about 44’ long by 8’ to 9’ wide by 46” deep water. I can’t go much wider since the spot in my yard is narrow. I really appreciate advice or feedback. Thanks

 

[PoolGate]

#2 for sure.

 

[Newdude]

I have had two 20x40s that had 2 skimmers/returns shooting from the shallown end to the deep end and prefer it.

My 2nd GC tried to talk me into the 'toilet bowl method' on a day we were getting blasted in the face with wind while looking towards the shallow end from the deep end side. Feel that man ?? Its like this way more than not. The returns need to all point this way.

The slightest breeze will stop any skimming dead in its tracks if it's the wrong direction.

 

[Love_Swimming]

I have had two 20x40s that had 2 skimmers/returns shooting from the shallown end to the deep end and prefer it.

My 2nd GC tried to talk me into the 'toilet bowl method' on a day we were getting blasted in the face with wind while looking towards the shallow end from the deep end side. Feel that man ?? Its like this way more than not. The returns need to all point this way.

The slightest breeze will stop any skimming dead in its tracks if it's the wrong direction.

Thanks for your input. What if any disadvantages have you experienced from using the "all in one direction" approach? On days in which there's no breeze, do you think the water and flow from a return located in the spots in my drawing will spread out by 6 or 7 feet wide (or more) by the time it reaches the middle of a 44 foot pool? I haven't been in a pool in a while, but I seem to recall that once I was about 10 feet away from a return, I couldn't feel any flow from it. The flow had basically dissipated. Thanks

 

[Newdude]

but I seem to recall that once I was about 10 feet away from a return, I couldn't feel any flow from it. The flow had basically dissipated.

The surface movement is what skims, and that you'll have as each mini wave goes the length of the pool.

You won't feel flow on any pool no matter where the returns are, but the water is circulating.

What if any disadvantages have you experienced from using the "all in one direction" approach?

None. My old yard had many oaks. My problem was always that the skimmers were full when things were dropping. I never once thought I needed a better way besides moving away from the trees, which we did. And I built pool 2 the same way.

*Providing your wind favors one way more than not.

*no matter what you do there are times or days that you'll lose.

*IMO 24/7 low RPM operation is the best defense with any option because the wind doesn't line up with a 6 hour a day schedule. With 24/7 you get your skimming back the moment the wind dies down. Possibly many times over the windy day.

 

[Love_Swimming]

#2 for sure.

Thanks. I assume you meant Layout B because that was below Layout A and was the 2nd one visually. If yes, why do you favor #2? Someone else here made a pretty compelling case for Layout A, so I'd love to hear your thoughts on why Layout B is better. Thanks

 

[Guy559]

(Time to get nerdy…)

From a fluid dynamics perspective, Layout A likely to give best results. Your returns push water in same direction as predominant surface winds, which both point toward skimmers.

Layout B will be less effective due to narrow width of the lap pool shaping—as you state, return flow dissipates quickly and you don’t want two returns pointed toward each other without more width to support (what little) laminar flow already exists. Would be more appropriate for a square or wider rectangular pool.

Not shown on diagram: planning main drains? If so, location? Also, recommend an additional two return locations midway down length (on both sides) pointed toward skimmers as well. Will help with skimming but more to prevent significant dead zone for flow in middle of pool.

 

[PoolGate]

Thanks. I assume you meant Layout B because that was below Layout A and was the 2nd one visually. If yes, why do you favor #2? Someone else here made a pretty compelling case for Layout A, so I'd love to hear your thoughts on why Layout B is better. Thanks

I think with only 9 feet of separation between the 2 skimmers that you'll end up with one full and one barely having anything in it. I also think with the skimmers both on one end of the pool that the other end will end up with leaves collecting. Like above, I would also suggest 2 additional returns in the center of the pool. My pool is set up like your "B" (except both are on the same side) and both skimmers collect a lot of leaves.

 

[Newdude]

I think with only 9 feet of separation between the 2 skimmers that you'll end up with one full and one barely having anything in it.

If the wind favors one side or the other that day because it never blows exactly dead on, at least it worked. Everything was pushed that way and collected.

With option 2 it will be stuck in an endless loop by the upper return if the wind blows slightly upward in the pic.

With option 2 neither day with the wind blowing a bit gets any skimming upwind so 50% of the skimmers is out of commission right off the bat.



On a day with no breeze then option 2 is entirely functional again, but there will be more days with the wind impeding it and/or stopping it than there aren't. (IMO)

 

[PoolGate]

Maybe set it up something like I have with the return on the right of "B" facing down on the North wall. My pool skims very well with no dead spots. I get a lot of leaves in the pool too. I think the key is to ensure water circulation so that eventually all of the leaves pass by one of the skimmers.