Intex Dual Intake pool

[poolgirl120]

Hi all,

New here, so apologies if this has already been asked!

I have just gotten the Intex 15' x 48'' metal frame pool with dual intakes. I also have the intex sand filter and salt water system.

I was wondering, are the dual intakes necessary? I noticed when I have both of them in use (middle one hooked up to my intex surface skimmer) and the one on the side just running as usual, that the pressure on the skimmer one becomes very low, thus making the skimmer useless. I decided to remove the hose from the second skimmer and plug up the hole so it's not in use anymore and now my skimmer is working perfectly.

The pool is very clean and clear and the filter seems to be working just fine without the second intake. Is it ok to keep it working like this or is the second intake necessary for some reason? I'm assuming its ok since the pools didn't always have the dual intakes, but just want to make sure I'm not missing something!

Thanks!

 

[Pv2]

It is s safety device and no it is not needed. (mine is older and didn't come that way - it works fine) You could install valves, patch it, block it with various kinds of plugs or plumbing fittings but no you don't need it.

 

[jblizzle]

Having the 2 is a safety feature to avoid entrapment underwater.
With the use of a skimmer, you may not need the safety of the 2nd suction line. But, one option would be to add a valve between the skimmer and other 2nd suction line so you can force most of the flow to the skimmer.
OR
Change the 2nd hole to be a 2nd return jet to increase circulation.

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome to the forum! The title of your thread should attract some other above ground pool owners, but basically you are correct. Having one good skimmer suction to grab surface debris is most important. Other AGP owners modify their set-up with a wide-mouth skimmer for better skimming, and use the second intake as a return for extra water circulation. Some folks get really creative and split those lines to a "T" fitting with control valve to add a small water fountain/mister. So stick around or use our search feature and you'll lots of threads about this issue there. Thanks for using the forum.

 

[AggieBQ95]

I used to have a small intex and I had the skimmer that attaches to the return. When I got mine, it came with a black plug with a small hole in it and you were to place that over the second return. It minimized the water that flows through the second return. I think the idea was to not totally stop flow through that return to ensure water in that piece of the hose doesn't become stagnant and develop algae. However, it forces the skimmer to do more of the work which is what you really want/need. I think I still have a couple of them and can take you a picture if needed.

 

[scout123]

I don't use the 2nd one. I just plugged it.

 

[orbitup]

I am going to hard plumb mine and I was curious as to adding a second return line. Maybe I'll turn the second inlet hole into a return jet and have the skimmer in the middle.

 

[Windylou]

Loving this thread. Ours has the double suctions & they really don’t feel like they do any sucking. I’m sure I’ll switch that all out n cut year & turn the second one into a second return. That sounds more practical. I was really stressing that the Hayward pump I upgraded to wasn’t powerful enough!