IFCS works better with wall returns closed

[queenofchlorine]

Hi all...

Pool has been filled for about 7 weeks now and my builder started up the system in such a way that when the pump runs, water only returns through the IFCS and not the return jets. This seemed to be doing a great job keeping the pool clean, although the pop up heads would audibly whine with the high pressure.

A week or so ago, a tech came to complete one small plumbing issue (unrelated to this thread) and while he was here it seems that he opened the valve to allow water through both the IFCS *and* the return jets. Of course the jets were pointed in all kinds of directions causing a bunch of turbulence and making it harder for the skimmer to draw in surface debris. It's better after pointing the jets downward and toward the drain, but neither the skimmer nor the IFCS are cleaning the pool as well as they used to.

Should I just close the valve so all the return water goes through the IFCS?

 

[mknauss]

If the IFCS works better with out the wall returns, close them.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Q,

You want a valve that allows you to run either the IFCS, or the wall returns, so that when the IFCS goes bad you can turn off the IFCS and use the wall returns.

As long as you like the way the IFCS works, then there is no reason not to shut off the wall returns until you need them.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[queenofchlorine]

Exactly the answer I was hoping for! Thanks guys