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Pool Beam Skiimer

Posted by Michael J Taylor on February 3, 2010 at 9:56am in Business Growth, Expansion, and Current Opportunit

I am looking for a skimmer that will fit in the pool beam of a gunite pool. Beam thickness of no more than 12".

 

We are trying to eliminate the need to box out for a regular skimmer. Our customer feels that the box would ruin the aesthetics of the project - and I can't say that I disagree.

 

I think Jacuzzi used to make one but I can't seem to find it, or they don't make it anymore. I have thought of using a skimmer for and above ground pool, but the weir door will be right on top of the pool wall and way too visible, but that will be an issue with any skimmer that fits the 12" beam specs.

 

Any suggestion?

 

Thanks in advance for any assistance you may have for us.

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Replies

  • Noel Valade February 24, 2010 at 2:32pm
    Hello, Michael

    What I would recommend is to use the skimmers that Scott is referring to and NOT use any skimmer baskets, but insted use a in-floor Debris Canister

    I Item Number P Product Description
    Debris Containment Canister
    004-152-4506-01 Canister with Deck Lid & Mesh Bag, White
    004-152-4506-02 Canister with Deck Lid & Mesh Bag, Gray
    004-152-4506-07 Canister with Deck Lid & Mesh Bag, Beige
    004-152-4507-01 Canister with Deck Lid & Stainless Steel Basket, White
    004-152-4507-02 Canister with Deck Lid & Stainless Steel Basket, Gray
    004-152-4507-07 Canister with Deck Lid & Stainless Steel Basket, Beige
    004-152-4512-00 Canister with Internal Lid & Mesh Bag
    004-152-4514-00 Canister with Internal Lid & Stainless Steel Basket
    Canister Mesh Bag
    005-152-8030-05 Canister Mesh Bag, Blue
    Canister Basket
    005-152-8031-00 Canister Basket, Stainless Steel

    The other thing is that this will have only one basket to empty instead of 2-6, and is rated for very high GPM.

    Hope this give u some other ideas! One last thing is that I would also go to a larger beam 14" - 16".

    NV


    Scott Roodbergen said:
    Try PN - 510-150x by Waterway. (x is 0=White, 1=Black, 7=gray)
    Front Access skimmer just like the old Jacuzzi (discontinued).
    1.5"S/ 2"Spg plumbing, depth = 7"
    http://waterwayplastics.com/catalogs/2010_13_spafilters.pdf
    pg.128
    can be ordered by PEP or a Poolcorp branch, may even be in stock.
  • Glen Brandsema February 9, 2010 at 10:56am
    I have used abovegrond skimmers, and I have seen it done by placing them sideways. IMHO I think it's best to shoot a wider beam(18").
  • Rob Lane February 6, 2010 at 9:36am
    This idea could lead to great dissapointment over time due to poor performance and a breaking beam. To try and get a weak idea to work, try this: 1. Run your tiny skims at about 15 gpm each because they are narrow and have a shallow bucket. Check with the Mfg. and run the skims at the bottom of their suggested range, This should lead to using three small skims in place of each normal skim. 2. If you can make the beam wider, do so. At each skimmer and for 18"-24" on each side of each skimmer, make the beam 2'-3' deep and use five times more steel. The little skims take the strength out of your ring of power at the top of the pool. You will be trying to carry that strength below the skims. Don't be shy about using lots of concrete and steel. They are your friends. 3. Balanced plumbing on the skimmers will be important. Do not run the line 1,2,3,4. You will want the skims in even numbers and run one pipe between each two skimmers.

    If this turns into a big pool, you might consider a gutter on at least one side of the pool with a balance tank in leiu of 16 skims. Best of luck. Rob Lane.
  • Ray davidson February 5, 2010 at 8:23pm
    Michael J Taylor said:
    D'oh!!

    Maybe I should learn to spill.. er SPELL correctly!
  • Scott Roodbergen February 5, 2010 at 1:58pm
    Try PN - 510-150x by Waterway. (x is 0=White, 1=Black, 7=gray)
    Front Access skimmer just like the old Jacuzzi (discontinued).
    1.5"S/ 2"Spg plumbing, depth = 7"
    http://waterwayplastics.com/catalogs/2010_13_spafilters.pdf
    pg.128
    can be ordered by PEP or a Poolcorp branch, may even be in stock.
  • David Penton February 3, 2010 at 7:00pm
    I used 2 Pentair FAS skimmers on a stand alone spa project. The spa sat 14" out of the ground, and was tiled across the top of the bond beam (no coping).

    The biggest issue you will have is that you CANNOT properly reinforce the bond beam around the skimmer with only 12" of gunite. We had to make the entire beam 18" wide in order to maintain all the necessary clearances to make this work. The end result was a very clean look, but it cannot be done within a 12" Beam.

    One other consideration is the flow rates of these skimmers are much lower than traditional skimmers. This is one of the reasons we installed 2 on this particular project.

    DSC_0875.JPG

    https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3423769264?profile=original
  • Michael J Taylor February 3, 2010 at 2:08pm
    D'oh!!

    Maybe I should learn to spill.. er SPELL correctly!
  • Bruce Hudson February 3, 2010 at 11:20am
    Look to Hayward and Pentair for their front access spa skimmers. No need to use the front dresser plate, just tile to the edge. You will be using ALL of the beam depth though. Years ago there was a recessed "soap dish" skimmer from Falco that could also fit your needs. Don't know about current availability. Debris capacity is a concern using any of these small styles on an outdoor pool, but are plenty adequate inside a screen enclosure.
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