Should I have a suction port?

[jeflogan]

Building a 18X36 rectangle pool and I plumbed it with 2 skimmers 3 returns and 1 suction port for a suction side cleaner. I had a pool guy over to bid out the install of my Pentair equipment (for warranty purposes) and he said I would need a seperate pump or turn off my skimmers if I used a suction side cleaner. I have a 011018 Pentair IntelliFlo VS Variable Speed pump which I believe will run at 3hp. Won't that be enough, or should I replumb that as a return? I wanted a cleaner to run with my autocover closed. Thoughts?

 

[ajw22]

I think you get better performance and cleaning from a pressure cleaner with a booster pump then a vacuum cleaner.

My next pressure cleaner will be the Polaris Quattro | #1 Swimming Pool Cleaner Worldwide | Polaris Automatic Pool Cleaners

 

[Arizonarob]

and he said I would need a seperate pump or turn off my skimmers if I used a suction side cleaner.

Tell the pool guy to stop putting kahlua in his coffee!!
All you need is a 3 way valve inline between the skimmers and suction side port. I keep mine at 60/40 skimmer/vac.

A suction side port is nice, because it gives you an additional source of water for your pump should the skimmers clog. And it’s great to toss in the pool while on vacation.

 

[mas985]

I would skip the suction side cleaner and go with a robot. I had both and there is no comparison.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Jer,

You pool guy, was thinking you were going to use the skimmer as the vacuum point.. This was the way it was done years ago... Sigh!!

I have a cell phone and a robot.. I no longer use an old rotary dial phone or water powered cleaners..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Arizonarob]

I would skip the suction side cleaner and go with a robot. I had both and there is no comparison.

To be clear, I agree with Mark, but I would still install a side port (if building from scratch) for the convenience when you’re not around. And the OP needs something to use under the autocover.

I no longer use an old rotary dial phone

I don’t know Jim, I’m a little suspicious. ?

 

[Jimrahbe]

I don’t know Jim, I’m a little suspicious. ?

Rob,

This is as close as I get to corded phones...



Jim R.

 

[jimmythegreek]

The one bad thing with just 2 skimmers if if your water falls below skimmer or low in the opening you will suck air. I have no main drains just built mine last year I added 2 wall drains by pool light with vGB setup. So glad I did I hate worrying about water level I am just finishing backfill and deck prep and I ended up piping my overflow from skimmer this weekend that I wasnt gonna use. I'm glad I did.

As the poster above said with a VS pump a 3 way valve will work fine to choke down the skimmers and then boost your pump speed up and your golden