How Many Skimmers Does a Pool Need?

[@abigailbarfoot3846]

Hi steve were skimmers in the pool built in 60s and seventies one larger in size for the face and entry.

[@pault2417]

SQ FT and also I've been adding skimmers and Drains mostly for water Features to get the GPM and still have the pool circulating

[@drdrew3]

If designing a new pool it’s always best to round up and have the the additional skimmer. You could always turn it down or block it off but there’s no practical way to add another after construction. This is especially true because a future homeowner would lose a skimmer if a suction side automatic vacuum is later installed. Ideally you want the “extra” skimmer AND a dedicated suction line for that vacuum option

[@DxModel219]

can you have one pump for both skimmers or would you put a dedicated pump for each skimmer thank you. I have to choose one or the other

[@martocsan]

Thanks for another great video. How to calculate the size of the skimmer? For example for 9x3.2m, thats like 28mp or 300 sq ft, if I use 2 skimmers, what size should be? Because from what someone told me, is important to understand that you need a flow of 7 to 12 metric cube for each skimmer, + we have hidraulic loss. Wouldn't the increase the pump size by double and also the filter? Because everyone is choosing the size of the pump and filter based on the volume of water, but how about how that volume is related to skimmers, or even add more suction power if there are also drains. Any article or video from you that explain such thing? One last questions, is there any free software to simulate flows?

[@j_craft11]

Hey Steve, great video as always. Can you do a video on the vortex pre-filters I'm seeing all over social media?

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

Are you talking about a pre filter in front of the pump, or a gadget you put into the skimmers?

[@j_craft11]

@@Swimmingpoolsteve The pre filters you see after the pump right before sand or cartridge filters. They claim to filter 80 percent of particulates extending backwash/cartridge cleaning periods. Waterco and Jacuzzi offer them.

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

@@j_craft11 I am familiar. The application these are best for is when you are beachfront or within close proximity to sand being blown into the pool. Otherwise the logic of a second, smaller filter being needed does not make sense to me. Why not just have one robust, capable filter suitably sized to the pool and the environment of the pool. No second filter needed at all. To me this is added complexity where it does not need to exist.

[@Platinum1812]

I'm getting by with one skimmer on a 20 x 40 but not until I used one of those sleeves that makes a vortex. Idk what brand to be honest because the previous owner had it in the pool house. I didn't use it at first and it was a nightmare. Added it and everything cleaned up from the surface very well. I was running the pump a lot for other reasons though.

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

I have one on 20x40 as well, but this is outdated build style. Nobody should be building a 20x40' pool these days with one skimmer. I would do 4 if I were building this pool again. Lots of large trees around my pool

[@Platinum1812]

@@Swimmingpoolsteve that makes complete sense. I'm just stuck with one for right now.

[@DervFuel]

Great videos, thanks ! What is your opinion on placing a skimmer in the shallow end, if its the only skimmer? It just works best for location for me with wind (circulation) and location to equipment.

[@chrisa9159]

Can you post where it says skimmers can do the job of floor drains? ANSI/APSP/ICC-5 2011 (R2022) Standard for Residential Inground, Swimming Pools, 9.11.3, "...1 skimmer per 800 sq ft of water surface area...". Skimmers just don't stir water a foot or two below them. They are designed to draw in surface water & remove debris that floats by within a foot or two and depending on suction/discharge GPM, you may draw in some water beneath the waterline by a foot or two. Simple test; with the pump running and skimmers/returns set accordingly, but with the floor drains OFF, add some diffused dye and watch it swirl around the pool. See how long it takes to disperse. See if it slowly sinks or stays within a foot or two of the surface. If so, put some at the bottom, away from the floor drains and see what happens. I think you will find the dye will take forever to clear. Be sure not to use dye that sinks instantly.

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

It has been long established in the pool industry now that floor drains are not required for adequate suction and diffusion of clean, filtered and chemical treated water in properly designed pools. Submerged suction outlets will one day no longer be a "thing" in pools

[@508achannell1]

Hi Steve. Hubby is in the process of building our 20x40 pool. We have 2 skimmers and 3 returns. We decided to forgo 2 main drains and ordered 2 aqua genie’s. Do u know much about them?

[@DxModel219]

ok if you’re saying dedicated suction lines does that mean dedicated pumps to each suction lines then? thank you! I have a 800 sqft swimming pool with 2 skimmers but the previous owner had a pool guy come in and he put in a new pump connected to one skimmer only and just left the other skimmer with a dedicated pump dead. I have a choice of creating a Y and pipe both into one pump or replace the dead pump… what should you recommend.

[@DBAMA-wm9jw]

Steve..I have a concert pool on the bottom and fiberglass sides..I want to paint the bottom..a lot of concert showing. Problem I don't know what type of paint was used..Don't know what to do

[@cagdascoruk6676]

Im gonna do my pool soon. I searced and you should buy gelcoat and add some blue pigment or what colour you want. They are selling it. Before doing, do sanding. Clean area then use on that area. Buy it brush useable gelcoat. Also u need aseton to keep brush soft. It's getting hard very soon like in 10 min. But if fiber glass is taken off you should know cement pools not accepting fiberglass. Its gonna leave from wall anyway.

[@DebBoha2011]

My pool 27' round pool is 572 sq feet if my math is correct. I wonder why it only has one skimmer. Should I add more? Wouldn't even begin to know how. It originally had a main drain but none of the pool stores in my area recommended replacing it when we moved the pool.

[@NoMaDwG]

Hi Steve, thanks for the info. I'm putting in a 13x27' Rectangle pool. Is one skimmer and two jets sufficient?

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

I would say that represents the minimum acceptable number. 2 skimmers and 4 returns would be great I a little pool like this. What would be your cost to include those upgrades?

[@NoMaDwG]

@@Swimmingpoolsteve I didn't ask but we've had multiple quotes and they all suggested the 1 skimmer and two returns. They recommend a 1.5hp VS pump also.

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

Yes they are suggesting a basic package with a low price tag. I would simply request a price for the upgrade.

[@lrc87290]

I think the Aquatic code for our state says a certain percentage of the suction has to come from the main drain 30%. Or maybe that was just a recommendation? It would be nice to design a new pool with adequate skimmers and no drains.

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

No main drains I believe is commonly being implemented now

[@lrc87290]

@@Swimmingpoolsteve technology marches on

[@DebBoha2011]

I live in the Louisville, KY area. Not one store carries a main drain for above ground pools.

[@Darkwhiteism]

You said skimmers, but should you run a separate drain line also to the bottom drain?

[@nickcrespo21]

Hi Steve! How do I calculate how many cubic yards of concrete I’ll need for a swimming pool? I understand the formula for slabs, stairs, square feet etc, but how do I calculate how much concrete I’ll need for a swimming pool? Thank you!

[@Swimmingpoolsteve]

You break it down section by section. Long wall x 2, short wall x 2, floor area, deck area etc.

[@nickcrespo21]

@@Swimmingpoolsteve thank you !

[@aceeg69]

One skimmer has a leak I bypassed it can it run on 1 ? 30.000 gal rec inground

[@pjtill1]

Two skimmers and no main drain is a great system.

[@Mancubus99]

We had a 16x32 pool installed with 1 skimmer and 1 floor drain with 2 returns. The floor drain and skimmer are on the same suction line. Is this sufficient for my pool?