Is it ok to plug one of my skimmers?

[anomale]

Recently installed a variable speed pump. I have 2 skimmers, 1 has the creepy crawly in it and the other is open, but with this new pump, if I have both open, the creepy doesn't have enough power to move unless I have the pump on a higher speed. When on the lower speeds (2400 or lower) it doesn't even skim. With the old 1 speed pump it worked fine.

The question is If I plug one of the drains and just use one skimmer will that cause the pump to work harder and lower it's lifespan? Plumbing is 2" 60sqft DE and its a 2hp B&D pump. Pool is roughly 50' x 25'

 

[Jimrahbe]

A,

Does not make sense from a skimming point of view, but it won't hurt anything.

I assume your suction side cleaner has its own suction port, so that you will have at least one operating skimmer.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[anomale]

no dedicated port for the vacuum, I plan to vacuum one day a week and the other days just run the one skimmer. With 2 it doesn't pull anything in so hoping with one it is able to move more of the surface. I have been skimming into the Spa but there is a lot of fine on top and the net doesn't get it out so kind of pointless because when the spa fills back up after the pump turns off it just floats back into the pool.

 

[Jimrahbe]

A,

Do your skimmers have a weir door between the mouth of the skimmer and the skimmer basket. The weir floats up and down with the water level.

A weir door is what makes a skimmer.... SKIM.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[anomale]

Yes both have weirs but not much is going in besides a couple little things but there is considerably more on the surface, maybe the new pump running at 2000rpm isn't enough to create flow. There is usually a breeze blowing in the opposite direction of the skimmers throughout the day which could be causing it as well but when I skim into the spa the surface gets clear in about 4 hours.