Strainer / floor drain adapter for vacuum hose

[coultond]

Thanks for all the wealth of information posted here. I've been 'lurking' (I like to call it learning) since I am starting at ground zero.

Basic pool info: ~25000 gal, 1.5 HP Pentair E-Plus pump, large stainless steel American Products DE filter, 1.5" plumbing, 2 floor drains tied in to 2 skimmer drains.

Cover was removed 2012.05.20, 5500 gal of municipal treated water was added 2012.05.21, pump and filter was inspected and started around 9am on 2012.05.23, proper functionality and circulation was confirmed and 5 gal of liquid hypochlorite (blue square jug) was added at that time, half a 'bucket' of DE was added to a skimmer and confirmed sucked in to the filter, pump and filter ran for ~12 hours and another 5 gal of liquid hypochlorite was added around 9pm.

Green / gray color is steadily changing to cloudy opaque water with visibility down at least 3 feet. Periodic skimming and scooping with a leaf bag continued throughout the day and night.

Simple water test with Taylor 1001 was performed 2012.05.24 at 7am (22 hours of pump and filter) with a reading of 2ppm chlorine and pH of 7.2. I have the Taylor 2006 on order and scheduled for delivery asap. Filter gauge reading has increased from 12psi to ~15psi in the 22 hours of running.

A specific question -- my floor drain and skimmer drain are plumbed together forming a single run before they get to the pump. There are 2 'sets' of drains, so I still end up with a valve in front of the pump on the suction side which lets me control which 'set' is sucking. I need a vacuum and hose assembly, but have been told I will need a special adapter to sink into the skimmer hole to allow the vacuum to work properly -- effectively blocking the floor drain while allowing the skimmer drain to create the vacuum (or vice versa). What is the adapter part I need?

Any other advice or information is welcome too!

[Watermom]

I wish I knew the answer to your question, but I don't. Somebody here should, though. Just wanted to welcome you to the Pool Forum and let you know that your post had been read and that you aren't being ignored. Things have just been super busy around right about now with everyone trying to get their pools perfect for Memorial Day weekend! Sit tight .....

[coultond]

Thanks, I think I've tracked it down to be called a "skimmer diverter valve"

[PoolDoc]

Are your main drains connected to the 2nd port in the bottom of your skimmers?

[coultond]

I think yes. But I don't know how to confirm that. The valve I have on the suction side of the pump controls each side of skimmer. I assume it also disables the corresponding floor drain, too.