Valve configuration for skimmer, main drain, and vacuum port

[Joe_K]

Having a new pool put in. Pool contractor has it designed so that the skimmer and vac port share a valve, and the main drain its own valve; see below. In my mind, I would like the skimmer to be by itself on its own valve, and have the other proportioning valve split between the main drain and vac port, since both of these are bottom feeders. I always want my skimmer to be as much as possible, and the vac cleaner needs a certain portion to operate at its correct rotational speed. Bottom drain would be all the way in most instances. He did my neighbor's pool this same way, and when I was maintaining my neighbor's pool during covid, it always seemed difficult to the get the correct vac suction and still have good skimmer suction. Wondering what the experts here can tell me. Is the contractors arrangement normal and correct compared to my thinking? So like in the image below, if I had the main drain off, I would be proportioning with a single value between skimmer and vac, with the vac being at about 75% to operate correctly and the skimmer at 25%. That seems too little of a split for the skimmer to be effective. Would my alternate configuration be any different. I hope I have explained this clear enough.

 

[FLOMOPOOL]

That is interesting. Each of my skimmers has its own diverter and my main drain is on the same diverter as my pool vac. The theory is that you typically don't want your main drain open while using vac so the vac doesn't get stuck on top of main drain suction. The pool vac is typically fully open and the skimmers set open so that there is no air in the pump basket due to smaller pool vac opening and hose diameter.

 

[Joe_K]

Thanks @FLOMOPOOL . So my idea seems correct. Hoping to get some more opinions and a better consensus before raising it again with the contractor.

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[Jimrahbe]

Joe,

I am never a fan of using 3-way valves for the input of the pump...

You have three input lines, so you should have three 2-way valves, so that you can independently control each input.

Note.. If you had a spa, you would need a 3-way to be able to switch between the pool and spa modes..

I also suggest that you get a much bigger filter...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Joe_K]

Thanks @Jimrahbe. The pool is 8400 gals. What is correct size filter for 8400 gals?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Joe,

Pool size and filter size have little to do with one another...

If your pool has a screen cage, then your current filter will work.. If no cage, then bigger is always better, as you just have to clean it less often.

For some reason, Florida Pool builders tend to use coke can sized filters...

As an example.. I have a 17K pool and a 520 Sq. Ft. filter... I clean it once a year. Like you, my pool is open 24/7/365..

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

I agree with @Jimrahbe - you want all of your intake lines with their own separate valves so you can adjust them independently. I have a vac port that is tied to the skimmer line with a three way valve and it's annoying. And my main drain is plumbed in series with the skimmer which makes the MD all but useless (this was configured by the PB before I had any good idea about pool plumbing best practices). Every intake line should be a home-run back to the equipment pad and assembled into a manifold with adjustable shut-off valves on each line so that everything can be adjusted independently.