Another pic

Dumb question- does a fountain need a slimmer?

Skimmer and filter or pond scum. Take your pick.

Christopher, thank you for your response. Looking at my
Photos, do you see a different way to do it?

This fountain will be approx 16-18” above the ground when dirt and topsoil are added. It would seem that the filter would be very visible as it is right now.

Talk to your fountain builder about what the final look of that skimmer box will be. It does not make sense to me that it would be encased in concrete or that a concrete nipple on the side of a fountain like that would be left 18'' above grade. It isn't finished being framed in your pictures and there is no rebar around the skimmer box for concrete. When that is done it will show better what will happen.

Was the pump and housing in your design drawings? Can you have it redesigned by whoever did the original design?

Saypoint, I draw the design and handed to my builder.

This is a representation of the way it will look. Looking closely at the pic, I can’t see a skimmer but I’m sure it’s there.

The surface skimmer is necessary to remove from the surface. You will only see the lid of the skimmer after the coping stone and the patio is completed.

Instead of the plastic skimmer lid, what we have done many times is cut a piece of stone to match the deck material to allow for a nice blend. Better looking than the plastic.

The skimmer must be encased in concrete as part of the monolithic pour of the walls. Reinforcement bar is always tied in along with the wall reinforcement. Looks like they are just getting to that point.

Being the fountain is raised, a front access skimmer should be installed as to not interrupt the line of the pool. We have done this before on a large raised spa.

Or, the wall of the fountain is poured thicker to accommodate for the skimmer body jetting out. That will impact your costs all around though. More concrete, wider coping stone, rebar schedule change, etc... It would have to be the same width all around or it would look odd.

Or, a design change whereas the skimmer side of the fountain has the grade raised to meet with the top. Steps on either end of the structure leading to an upper patio.

Just a thought.

Mysticpools-regarding encasing the skimmer, how many inches of concrete should there be on the back of the slimmer so concrete won’t break?

Regarding turn over rate- I have read different recommendations for complete water turnover. Is 8 hrs enough for water fountain?
I calculated 4140 gallons for. 12’x23’x2’ fountain. That’s 552 cu ft of water. By those numbers, I get 518g/h or 9 g/min. That doesn’t seem like a lot for a fountain with 3 water sprays projecting a single fan shaped stream up about 6’ in the air. Do you think my calculations are off? I’m still trying to figure out TDH.

I'm attaching a link to Waterway Plastics Renegade skimmers. This is the model we use for all our pools.

When forming our pools, we construct a 2'x2' form for the skimmer boxes to be housed. From the diagram, you will see the overall dimensions of the skimmer and you will be able to calculate the amount of concrete at it's back and sides. It's generally 9"-10" at the back

When setting the skimmer, the front of the skimmer is mounted on the pool's form. The opening is "cut out" to create the angled opening (skimmer throat) before the concrete sets. This opening gets a tile treatment or perhaps natural stone when finishing the pool. Coping stone will cross over the opening above. Our walls are 12" thick.

The dimensions of this brand is about the same as a competing company's.

https://waterwayplastics.com/manuals/810-0054.0618.pdf

Regarding you water volume, you are correct that total volume is 4140. 8 hr rate is fine,

A pump delivering say 55 GPM will move 3300 GPH and 26,400 gallons every 8 hrs.

To calculate TDH, you will have to know the proposed pipe run in feet to aid in your calculation. This will also help you determine pipe sizing you will need to allow for a goal turnover rate.

Mystic pools - thank you so much for your time. If the filter box is 2x2’ and the wall is 12” thick, won’t the filter box stick out in my above ground pool?

If the pool wall is 12", the back of the skimmer form will be from 24" from the inside of the pool.

So yes, it will stick out.

One final question then I’ll leave you alone. Lol. Would either of these skimmers work as part of the monolithic pour?
Thank you for taking the time to answer my many questions! I appreciate your input on our project. It’s pros like you that bring homeowners to Houzz.
Have a great week.

They could.

The Hayward model shown is for vinyl or fiberglass applications as it has a a screw on face plate.

The Waterway model also has a screw on face plate for fiberglass applications

Hiding the screw holes/face wold be done with tile or stone-whatever you're using at the waterline.

We did use a Waterway FAS on a concrete spa that was 8'x8'.-not sure what model is shown.

For your application, I would use 2 because of surface area as these are smaller than a typical concrete skimmer or vinyl skimmer.

Thank you for your help. I ordered two Waterway FSA as you suggested. When you used it for the project you mentioned, did you set it back or was face flush with Interior wall? Does the plumbing exit concrete near base of beam wall? It will (below grade for our raised wall fountain. Any problem with leakage? Thank you again for your helpful advice.

We set it so it will finish flush. Just account for tile thickness when it's set pre concrete pour. Around a 1/2"-3/4" to allow for any thinset or mortar bed. The tile face can be "built out" to ensure a flush finish.

One note. Waterway offers colors on their products. If you ordered white, it will stand out over colors such as gray, black and the like. We generally use gray and black skimmers and colored wall fittings when using that color scheme on projects.

We use white skims only on finishes that are white or very light-which is rare. We have used light grays on light shades also.

If properly set and pipe pressure tested, you should have no leak issues.

Thank you for your help. Does the plumbing exit concrete near base of beam wall? It will (below grade for our raised wall fountain. Any problem with leakage? Thank you again for your helpful advice.

It should exit below whatever finished grade you plan to have behind the skimmer. I would run it as low as possible but make ensure it's accessible to the plumber for the final run to the equipment.