I am relpacing my skimmer with a waterway skimmer because of the basket always becoming disloged. I also have at times huge amounts of bugs and leaves. I'm thinking about placing a leaf trap like used on suction side cleaners in line after the skimmer? Then I could take out the basket when I get lots of trash in the pool. I know that they are meant to be used in the water so a suction side leak normally would not be a problem. What do you think? I'm using flex pvc and also need to replace my shut off valve I have a simple ballvalve from HD but it stuck closed and I broke an ear off getting it open. Any sugestions on good shut off valve.

Thanks,
jennifer