New Construction Started - Willis, TX (north of Houston)

[JamesW]

I would T each 2.5" line into (2) 1.5" lines so that you have a total of 6 floor or wall returns.

You might be able to use one of the drains as a return but check with the manufacturer to see if the drains are certified as returns and at what flow per drain as a return.

 

[Duffatola]

That's for suction, but it might be OK for returns.

Check with the manufacturer for details.

I have reached out to the manufacturer to inquire. The pb has installed these as returns in the past but I'm awaiting their response to whether they know they are approved as such.

Typically, you want floor returns and not eyeballs.

The pb has advised all returns be installed in the walls. Is there a standard/best practice? IMO, the less pipe routed under the pool, the better

 

[JamesW]

Wall returns are fine and probably better than floor returns.

 

[Duffatola]

I would T each 2.5" line into (2) 1.5" lines so that you have a total of 6 floor or wall returns

If Paramount advises the Buzztop drains are suitable as returns, each one has two ports that would serve a single line, which translates to 3 returns.


Or are you suggesting teeing off the lines to 6 individual drains, whether they are single or dual ported. If 6 holes in the pool, this thing will start resembling a pegboard!

 

[JamesW]

As long as the manufacturer gives the OK for the use as a wall return at the required flow rate, it should be fine.

It looks like it can take all three ports.

https://www.1paramount.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/BuzztopInstallManual.pdf

 

[Duffatola]

Typically, you want floor returns and not eyeballs.

@JamesW

The PB uses eyeballs as a default for pool and negative edge returns and installs them in the sidewalls. Please advise why floor returns should be use in lieu of eyeballs? Pros/cons? They would be installed in the side walls.

 

[JamesW]

A water feature is a high flow, low head application, so you want as little resistance to flow as possible.

Any resistance results in lower flow.

You can do gunite wall returns with 1.5” threaded inside, but I would leave out the eyeballs.

 

[Duffatola]

A water feature is a high flow, low head application, so you want as little resistance to flow as possible.

Any resistance results in lower flow.

You can do gunite wall returns with 1.5” threaded inside, but I would leave out the eyeballs.

10-4, thanks. I don't want to get the cart before the horse but I think we may be able to proceed with gunite tomorrow, as planned, if the game plan is to leave the side walls until day two. Day one scope will be: footing + floor, weir wall and sump (all areas that don't include any pool or negative edge returns). This will give me one more day to get an answer from the Paramount regarding using the Buzztop drain as a return. If I don't have an answer by day two of gunite, I'll either take a leap of faith and install them anyway or install eyeball returns and remove the eyeballs at some point. I have searched and searched and I can't find anything regarding using the Buzztops as returns anywhere on the web. As I told my wife yesterday on our plane ride home, there a a thousand decisions that have to be made on this project and a single decision can affect many of those already made. I'm not a certified project manager, but I play one on TV...

 

[JamesW]

I can't find anything regarding using the Buzztops as returns anywhere on the web.

I suspect that it would be fine if the builder has used them before.

If it can take in water, I would think that it can also return water.

Most regulations focus on the suctions as they can be an entrapment hazard.

There are fewer regulations regarding the returns.

 

[Duffatola]

If it can take in water, I would think that it can also return water.

That's what I would think.

 

[Duffatola]

@JamesW the PB is proposing two common pool returns in the basin. Can you please advise what the reasoning is? If I want to circulate the water, wouldn't I do so using the dedicated negative edge pump drawing from the drain and back into the pool via the negative edge returns?

 

[JamesW]

I don't see any reason to put returns in the basin.

 

[JamesW]

Putting returns in the basin would be counterproductive.

I would be interested in knowing the reasons the builder would give to put a return in a basin for an infinity edge.

 

[Duffatola]

Putting returns in the basin would be counterproductive.

I would be interested in knowing the reasons the builder would give to put a return in a basin for an infinity edge.

The way I understand it is if we were to be gone for an extended time, the main pump would circulate the water in both the pool and basin, w/o having to employ the negative edge pump, as well. I would think the basin drain would have to tee into the main drain to complete the loop but I'm not aware of that being in the plan. The PM is on his way over. I'll have to get a final answer.

 

[JamesW]

You can put a main drain suction that goes to the filter pump so that the filter pump can periodically pull from the basin, but I don't see any reason for that.

Just have the Infinity edge pump run on a schedule of maybe 5 to 15 minutes a day to keep the water circulated.

 

[TampaKathy]

There's a lot going on in this thread, lol...if your pool is going to be 27k gallons, you may want to consider getting the IC60 instead of IC40. It's typically recommended on here to get a cell rated for 2x your pool volume at least.

 

[Duffatola]

There's a lot going on in this thread, lol...if your pool is going to be 27k gallons, you may want to consider getting the IC60 instead of IC40. It's typically recommended on here to get a cell rated for 2x your pool volume at least.

Yeah, we really got into the weeds regarding flow science. Fortunately I learned some valuable lessons that will enable me to make changes for a better operating pool. I don't disagree with the larger SWG but the IC40 comes packaged with the 521903 iPS8 Intellicenter.

I actually extended the pool after contract as a change order and didn't think about a larger salt cell. If the controller has not been received, I might be able to order make the change. Tks for the heads up!

 

[JamesW]

@JamesW the PB is proposing two common pool returns in the basin.

Is he saying returns or suctions?

 

[Duffatola]

Is he saying returns or suctions?

Returns

 

[JamesW]

Returns make no sense because the basin would just overflow.

A suction makes sense, but I would not do suction or return to the filter pump.