Spillover and water circulation

[Chungus]

We have a new 16x45 pool with a built in hot tub. The PB put in eight returns in the pool, four along each of the 45’ sides. It has two main drains and two skimmers.

I am a bit confused on the water flow. The pool builder said we could just leave it in spillover mode all the time. This makes sense as it keeps the hot tub water circulated and the hot tub is at the opposite end of the pool from the drains but it makes me wonder why have the eight returns if they never get used?

Is leaving it in spillover mode all the time a good idea or should I be directing the water to the returns? I understand how everything works I just don’t fully understand the logic or reasoning behind it.

 

[mknauss]

Leaving the pool in Spillover mode all the time will dramatically increase aeration and cause your pH to rise more rapidly. Are you prepared for that? How do you plan to chlorinate? Do you have automation?
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[Chungus]

Thanks. I will fill out signature tonight when I get to my computer. On mobile now.

I have a SWG and automation. I have been keeping PH in check with muratic acid. My TA is really high anyway so working on getting it down.

 

[mknauss]

OK -- you can most likely set up your automation to run the spa spillover for 30 minutes or so twice a day to keep the spa chlorinated. Then you just run in pool mode so your skimming is more efficient and you can reduce the pH rise.

 

[Chungus]

Thanks. How is the skimming more efficient in pool mode? It is always sucking water from the skimmers it just returns to the hot tub in spillover mode and via the pool returns in normal mode.

 

[mknauss]

Most pools it is best to create a swirl or directional flow from the returns to skimmers. If yours works with full on spa spillover and you do not care about pH rise, leave the spillover as is.

 

[Chungus]

Also the spillover is not that dramatic. The water drops maybe 2”? We also have an automatic cover. I am sure it aerates some but nothing like my 7’ of shears dumping 18” do.

 

[Chungus]

Most pools it is best to create a swirl or directional flow from the returns to skimmers. If yours works with full on spa spillover and you do not care about pH rise, leave the spillover as is.

That makes sense. I really don’t have a preference I am just trying to understand it better and configure it however is best.

 

[Zezrum]

We also have an automatic cover.

Not sure what automation system you’re using, and I’m sure you’ve already accommodated for this, but take caution not to run in spillover when your auto-cover is closed. In other words, watch your programming that you don’t inadvertently program an event where the timer turns on the spill over into the pool with the cover closed and you flood your cover. I’m a new pool owner, but dang my PB really beat that point into my brain pretty strongly.

 

[Richard320]

That makes sense. I really don’t have a preference I am just trying to understand it better and configure it however is best.

Throw some ping pong balls or empty (but capped) water bottles into the pool and watch a while to see where they go . The ideal is that everything gets caught by a current and makes its way to the skimmer. If it's just off the spillway, the current will be mostly a straight line from spillway to skimmer, leaving dead spots to the side where surface debris can collect, get waterlogged, and sink. .

 

[Chungus]

My spillover is always on even with the cover closed. The hottub is in the pool and the top of it is a couple inches below the coping level. Now the water shears are a different story. They would definitely flood the cover.