Main Drain And Skimmer Set-up Questions

[Toddsnake]

I am moving into a home with a inground swimming pool in May. I have been trying to get the pool into good condition before I move in. It is a Blue Haven pool and holds around 22,000 gallons. Pentair DE FNS36 Filter. Pool has one main drain but I can't feel any suction thru it when the pump is running. Previous home owner said they did not think the main drain was even functional on the pool. There is no adjustable valve at the filter area to vary the suction from skimmer and main drain. Looking down in the poolside skimmer with basket removed I see 2 holes. I was told the hole closest to the pool wall is from the bottom drain and the other one in where the suction is to the pump. Is this suction enough to remove all the floating debris thru the skimmer and also be able to suck sunken debris thru the main drain? Would it be OK to get a U shaped short hose and plug it into the suction hole in the skimmer and the other end into the hole that goes to the main drain...forcing it to suck only from the main drain?

I always thought that the skimmer was to remove floating debris and the main drain was to remove debris from the bottom of the pool? I have a vaccume head with looooong hose and pole I can use to clean the bottom of pool, but I thought you were supposed to just brush the pool bottom toward the deep end so that the drain would suck it out.

I'm a Newb to this pool stuff......feel free to set me straight!!!!!!!

Thanks for any info!

Todd

[Skidood]

To vacuum the pool you connect the hose to the vac head and the other end into the suction hole in the skimmer. Your sweeping idea is incorrect. I plan to set the filter to backwash when I vacuum if there is a ton of crap at the bottom. I will need to add water to the pool to compensate for the water loss when I do it this way, but I dont want worms in my filter. I can't advise you on the second hole in the skimmer, Im also a bit of a newbie and have yet to figure that one out. But I truly doubt it goes to the main drain. I also think its possible the main drain was not connectred to the pump.

I am moving into a home with a inground swimming pool in May. I have been trying to get the pool into good condition before I move in. It is a Blue Haven pool and holds around 22,000 gallons. Pentair DE FNS36 Filter. Pool has one main drain but I can't feel any suction thru it when the pump is running. Previous home owner said they did not think the main drain was even functional on the pool. There is no adjustable valve at the filter area to vary the suction from skimmer and main drain. Looking down in the poolside skimmer with basket removed I see 2 holes. I was told the hole closest to the pool wall is from the bottom drain and the other one in where the suction is to the pump. Is this suction enough to remove all the floating debris thru the skimmer and also be able to suck sunken debris thru the main drain? Would it be OK to get a U shaped short hose and plug it into the suction hole in the skimmer and the other end into the hole that goes to the main drain...forcing it to suck only from the main drain?

I always thought that the skimmer was to remove floating debris and the main drain was to remove debris from the bottom of the pool? I have a vaccume head with looooong hose and pole I can use to clean the bottom of pool, but I thought you were supposed to just brush the pool bottom toward the deep end so that the drain would suck it out.

I'm a Newb to this pool stuff......feel free to set me straight!!!!!!!

Thanks for any info! <img src="http://www.poolspaforum.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" />

Todd

[Richard320]

You need a skimmer diverter. Looks like a flying saucer, costs about ten bucks at the pool store. It has a sliding flapper that allows you to adjust the proportion of skimmer/main drain water getting pulled in. Seems to be trial-and-error setting it where you want it. I have mine over 50% blocked. I still have movement in the skimmer but I know the main drain has suction because I can brush stuff at it and it gets pulled in.

[trader4]

To vacuum the pool you connect the hose to the vac head and the other end into the suction hole in the skimmer. Your sweeping idea is incorrect. I plan to set the filter to backwash when I vacuum if there is a ton of crap at the bottom. I will need to add water to the pool to compensate for the water loss when I do it this way, but I dont want worms in my filter. I can't advise you on the second hole in the skimmer, Im also a bit of a newbie and have yet to figure that one out. But I truly doubt it goes to the main drain. I also think its possible the main drain was not connectred to the pump.

I am moving into a home with a inground swimming pool in May. I have been trying to get the pool into good condition before I move in. It is a Blue Haven pool and holds around 22,000 gallons. Pentair DE FNS36 Filter. Pool has one main drain but I can't feel any suction thru it when the pump is running. Previous home owner said they did not think the main drain was even functional on the pool. There is no adjustable valve at the filter area to vary the suction from skimmer and main drain. Looking down in the poolside skimmer with basket removed I see 2 holes. I was told the hole closest to the pool wall is from the bottom drain and the other one in where the suction is to the pump. Is this suction enough to remove all the floating debris thru the skimmer and also be able to suck sunken debris thru the main drain? Would it be OK to get a U shaped short hose and plug it into the suction hole in the skimmer and the other end into the hole that goes to the main drain...forcing it to suck only from the main drain?

I always thought that the skimmer was to remove floating debris and the main drain was to remove debris from the bottom of the pool? I have a vaccume head with looooong hose and pole I can use to clean the bottom of pool, but I thought you were supposed to just brush the pool bottom toward the deep end so that the drain would suck it out.

I'm a Newb to this pool stuff......feel free to set me straight!!!!!!!

Thanks for any info! <img src="http://www.poolspaforum.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="biggrin.gif" />

Todd

My understanding of the normal functioning of the bottom drain versus the skimmers is the same as yours Todd. That is the skimmers bring in floating debris and the main drain also draws in water separately during normal operation. Also, I'd double check what you were told about one hole in the skimmer going directly back to the pump and the other being connected via the bottom drain. I'm no expert here, but in my skimmer basket those two holes are different sizes. My assumption would be that the reason is so that if you're using 2" pipe you use one fitting, and if you use 1 1/2" pipe you use the other. Check the other one with a screwdriver and I bet you will find it's actually closed and goes nowhere. That's how mine is. It looks like it could be a knock-out type thing that you pick the one you want to use at install time. Also, I don't see the point to running more pipe between the skimmers and the bottom drain.

Regarding no valves to adjust/control things, don't know where you are located, but up north, the main drains always have a shutoff because to winterize it and protect from freezing, you need to get it full of air, then close the valve to airlock it. I guess the other obvious question is to make sure the main drain really isn't either actually taking in water that you can't see or else plugged with debris, or maybe even a real plug....

[Toddsnake]

Well I did find out that my main drain is fuctional. I hooked the vac hose into the the hole that sucks to the pump

and the other end of the hose to the other hole in the skimmer and my son dove in and could feel the suction at

the bottom drain. (the water is still cloudy and I can't see the bottom on the 10 foot deep end). I am in Dallas TX but

the water is still tooo cold for me! Went to Leslie Pool store and they did not seem to know what I was talking about

when I described the "flying saucer looking skimmer diverter" to control flow from main drain vs skimmer. Anyone know

where I can buy one online? (or just see one online so I know what I'm looking for!)

Thanks for all the help!

Todd

[nathan parr]

Hey Todd,

What you are looking for is a 'Skimmer Float Check Valve' I just drained and patched my pool and cleaned the entire system with an air compressor, water hose and a leaf blower. It was surprising what came out of the pool. I found a link that you should check out that relates to your problem and has a picture diagram that shows exactly how your pool is set up and why your not getting suction like my pool hince the forum I found and now replying to you at.

http://www.pentairpool.com/pdfs/U-3SkimmerIG.pdf

Go to page 2 of 4 and BAM!!! right there.

Hope this helps.

Im from Dallas as well living in Rowlett now, after 5 years active duty Marine Corps and Doing Home Improvment/Landscaping.

Lavishlandscapes1@gmail.com (found on Facebook)

If you need any advice as Im sure I have gone through the same delima.

Nathan