AquaStar Flowstar SKR1 Series Guide

FLOWSTAR™SKIMMER
COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL
INSTALLATION, OPERATION & PARTS
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR SKR1xxx, SKR2xxx, SKR3xxx, SKR4xxx &
SKR5xxx
(xxx = COLOR SUFFIX)
READ AND FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS
MEETS OR EXCEEDS NSF50/IAPMO SPS3-93*
▲WARNING!
HAZARDOUS SUCTION. RISK OF HAIR OR BODY ENTRAPMENT, DROWNING OR DISEMBOWELMENT. When an equalizer is
used, the opening in the pool shall be protected by a VGBV Compliant drain cover rated for at least 55 GPM or greater.
NOTE: Skimmer is not equivalent to a main drain. If not using a single, unblockable drain, all pools, spas and hot tubs must
have at least two main drains besides skimmer(s) or a "single, unblockable" drain.
▲CAUTION!
BLOCKING PUMP SUCTION CAN CAUSE PRESSURE SURGES AND WATER HAMMER, WHICH CAN DAMAGE
PUMP OR PIPING AND MAY CAUSE FLOODING.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS FOR FUTURE REFERENCE
OPERATION
Pump suction pulls water through skimmer. Water owing
into skimmer carries oating leaves, bugs, etc., where
they are trapped in the skimmer basket. (Dust, body oils,
etc., pass though the basket to be removed by the lter.)
Floating weir in skimmer opening enhances surface ow
and skimming action.
Water Level
Keep pool, spa or hot tub water level at least 1.5'' to 2"
above bottom of skimmer opening for proper operation.
Float Valve
Float valve protects pump from loss of prime if skimmer
clogs or ow through skimmer is restricted (See Figure
1 and 2). Trimmer valve plate on bottom of oat valve
balances ow between skimmer and main drains, or
multiple skimmers.
FLOW ADJUSTMENTS
Skimmer Without Float: Adjust valves located before the
pump (See Figure 4).
Skimmers with Float: Remove deck lid, skimmer basket
and oat valve to adjust trimmer plate on bottom of oat
(See Figure 5). Move trimmer plate to side to open trimmer
port allowing more ow through skimmer and less ow
through main drains, or other skimmers; close trimmer
plate for less ow through skimmer and more ow through
main drains, or other skimmers.
Vacuuming Pool
Remove deck lid and skimmer basket. If there is a oat
valve, remove it and plug equalizer port that is closest
to the pool. Replace basket and place vacuum plate on
top of basket. Fill the vacuum hose with water and then
place your hand over the end of the hose as you bring it
through the skimmer throat, or over the deck to attach
it to the vacuum plate (Figure 3). Follow instructions in
vacuum owner’s manual for vacuuming operation. After
vacuuming, remove hose, vacuum plate and basket,
unplug equalizer port and reinstall oat valve, basket
and deck lid. Be sure to use screws to secure it in the deck
frame to prevent accidentally dislodging it.
CAUTION: TO PREVENT INJURY, REPLACE DAMAGED OR
DEGRADED DECK LIDS BEFORE USING DECK AREA.
Equalizer
Inspect equalizer cover regularly for damage and debris.
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If water level is too low, the pump may remove all water
from the skimmer causing the oat valve to close, diverting
pump suction to equalizer (or main drain) line allowing
some water to reach the pump. Float valve will remain
closed until pump stops. If pump starts again before
stoppage is cleared, oat will close again until pool water
level returns to normal.
WARING! LOW WATER LEVEL CAN MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO
EXIT POOL AND MAY DAMAGE PUMP AND OTHER POOL
EQUIPMENT.
Note: An equalizer line is a way to bypass the skimmer
and it is intended to prevent damage to the pump when
pool water level is below the throat of the skimmer or
the basket is full. You must check your local code as some
require equalizer lines, others don't allow them and others
leave it to the pool designer. When equalizer line is used
the cover inside the pool must be VGB compliant, meeting
the requirements of ASME/ANSI 112.19.8a-2008 or ANSI/
APSP-16.
At Least 4
Times Pipe
Diameter
To Pump
Suction
From Pool
Main Drains
Adjust Shut-off
Valves to
Balance Flow To Pump
Suction
Float
Valve
Adjust
Trimmer Plate
to Balance Flow
From Pool
Main Drains
Plug
TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL INSTALLATION
Flow
Through
Skimmer
Equalizer
Line
To Pump
Suction
Float
Valve
Open
2"
2 1/2"
No Flow
Over
Weir
From
Equalizer
Line
To Pump
Suction
Float
Valve
Shut
Plug Equalizer (or
Main Drain Port)
Equalizer
Line
To Pump
Suction
Remove Float
Valve
Pool Vacuum
Hose
Vacuum Plate
TYPICAL PUBLIC POOL SKIMMER INSTALLATION WITH EQUALIZER LINE INSTALLED
Figure 4: Typical residential
installation without oat valve.
Use with at least two suction outlets.
Figure 5: Typical residential
installation with oat valve.
Use with at least two suction outlets.
Figure 1: Normal operation: oat
valve open.
Figure 3: Vacuuming pool; oat and
check valves removed, equalizer
port plugged.
Figure 2: Equalizer operation;
oat valve closed.

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MAINTENANCE
Weir: Periodically check weir for free operation. Replace if
damaged or worn.
Strainer basket: Check strainer basket as often as needed
for accumulated leaves, debris, etc. Empty basket as
required. Restart the pump to reset oat valve if it is closed.
Float Valve: Periodically check that oat valve is operating
freely and is not waterlogged. If necessary, tighten trimmer
plate pivot screw to maintain desired ow balance.
Equalizer Fittings: Periodically check that wall ttings are
correctly installed and that covers are tight to ttings.
Water level: Maintain water level at least 1.5 to 2" above
bottom of skimmer opening for proper operation. Adjust
trimmer plate if necessary.
Winterizing: Drain pool until level is below skimmer inlet.
Remove cover, basket and oat. Plug both bottom ports
with standard 2" pipe plugs. Cover skimmer to prevent
rainwater or snow from entering the skimmer where it
could freeze.
WARNING! FALLING AND TRIPPING HAZARD. THE DECK
LID MUST BE INSTALLED FLUSH WITH THE DECK LEVEL.
Skimmer deck lid is made of impact and weather resistant
materials, but extended use (5-10 years) may lead to
reduced strength. Regularly check condition of skimmer
lid. Look for cracks, chips, deterioration of plastic, etc. If any
sign of damage or deterioration is found, replace the deck
lid and fasteners.
SKIMMER LAYOUT AND SUCTION LINE SIZING
Skimmers are critically important to remove oating
contaminants, oils, and debris, for this reason modern pool
building codes 100% of the ltration ow rate.
1. The minimum number of skimmers is based on facility
type (See Table 1).
2. When selecting the location for skimmers place at
least one so that the prevailing wind blows towards
the skimmer
3. Size suction pipe based on the design ow rate such
that the water velocity in the pipe will not exceed six
feet per second. Use multiple pipes or the next size
larger pipe for long pipe runs. See gures 5 and 7
piping layout
WARNING! PUMPS PRODUCE SUCTION THAT CAN BE
EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IF AN EQUALIZER COVER IS
LOOSE, CRACKED, BROKEN, MISSING, OR IF THE FLOW
EXCEEDS THE COVER FLOW RATING
Part Numbers/Colors
SKR101 White
SKR102 Black
SKR103 Lt. Gray
SKR104 Blue
SKR105 Dk. Gray
SKR108 Tan
6
1
4
5
2
3
7
13-1/32"
10-11/32"
8-3/4"
1-9/32"
16"
Ø 10-5/8"
19-7/8"
2 1/2" sp. x 2" soc. x 2" NPT
1. Skimmer, body
2. Skimmer, float assy.
3. Skimmer, basket
4. Skimmer, collar
5. Skimmer, lid
6. Skimmer, weir assy.
7. Oring, float seal
REPAIR PARTS LIST
Table 1: Skimmers Needed
Facility Area Per Skimmer (sq. ft.)
Public Pool 500
Residential Pool 800
Public and Residential Pool 150
Figure 6: Skimmer Specs

"18
7-1/2"
11-1/4"
1"
2" MIN.
WATER LINE
"20
ALTERNATE
MAIN DRAIN LINE
CONCRETE
EARTH
PLASTER
TILE
SIDE VIEW
1" VERTICAL ADJUSTMENT
OF FRAME TO ACCOMODATE
MISALIGNMENT.
EQUALIZER LINE
TO SUCTION PUMP
18" 18"
10"
CONCRETE
TILE
TOP VIEW
FRONT VIEW
USE VGB COMPLIANT EQUALIZER
SUCTION OUTLET COVER, TWO (2)
EQUALIZERS (3 FEET APART) MAY BE
REQUIRED. CHECK WITH LOCAL
JURISDICTIONS FOR BLDG. SAFETY
REQUIREMENTS.
LIMITED WARRANTY
Skimmers manufactured by AquaStar are warranted to be free of defects in material and workmanship for one year from date of installation. The
foregoing warranties relate to the original consumer purchaser (“Purchaser”) only. AquaStar shall have the option to repair or replace the defective
product, at its sole discretion. Purchasers must pay all labor and shipping charges necessary to replace the product covered by this warranty. Requests
for warranty service must be made through the installing dealer. This warranty shall not apply to any product that has been subject to negligence,
misapplication, improper installation or maintenance, or other circumstances which are not in AquaStar’s direct control. This warranty sets forth
AquaStar’s sole obligation and Purchaser’s exclusive remedy for defective products. AQUASTAR SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL,
INCIDENTAL OR CONTINGENT DAMAGES WHATSOEVER. THE FOREGOING WARRANTIES ARE EXCLUSIVE AND IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER EXPRESS
WARRANTIES. IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND SHALL NOT EXTEND BEYOND THE DURATION OF THE APPLICABLE EXPRESS WARRANTIES PROVIDED HEREIN. Some
states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages or limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the
above limitations or exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specic legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from
state to state. Supersedes all previous publications.
INSTALLATION
Concrete: See Figure 7 for basic dimensions. Top cover
frame has 1" vertical height adjustment.
NOTICE: Skimmer MUST be surrounded by at least 4" of
structural concrete in a monolithic pour.
PIPE CONNECTIONS AND TESTING
Connect pump inlet line to rear port in bottom manifold
(Figure 7). Skimmer base is PVC, and comes in a variety
of manifold congurations. For threaded connections
inside skimmer base, do not use pipe dope; to seal joint
use RTV Silastic #732 (preferred), teon tape or
Plasto-Joint Stik. For slip connections, apply PVC primer
to PVC pipe only. Then apply PVC to PVC solvent cement
to both pipe and slip connections. Consult distributor
for correct solvent cement for pipe used. Assemble
joint per cement manufacturer’s instructions, allowing
recommended set time before pressure testing.
WARNING! PLASTIC CEMENTS AND PRIMERS CAN BE
FLAMMABLE, POISONOUS OR BOTH. CLOSELY FOLLOW
CEMENT MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS.
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A Safe Drain is No Accident™
Figure 7: SKR1xxx skimmer installation
drawings and specications.
©2017 AquaStar Pool Products 08032017
VGB Compliance Every Pool, Every Time