Circular Pool Main Drains
Circular main drains are installed in the deepest section of a swimming pool to draw water from the bottom of the pool. They play an important role in maintaining water circulation, improving filtration efficiency, and helping remove debris that settles on the pool floor. Main drains also assist in evenly distributing chemicals and heated water throughout the pool, reducing dead spots where water can become stagnant.
40mm Main Drain Line
A 40mm main drain line is typically used on smaller residential pools, plunge pools, and spas where lower water flow is required. It provides adequate circulation for compact filtration systems while keeping installation costs economical.
Best for:
Plunge pools
Small residential pools
Spas
Low-flow circulation systems
50mm Main Drain Line
A 50mm main drain line is the industry standard for most residential swimming pools. It offers improved flow capacity over 40mm pipe, making it ideal for modern filtration systems, variable speed pumps, heat pumps, and salt chlorinators. It also allows better hydraulic efficiency with reduced flow resistance.
Best for:
Standard residential pools
In-ground concrete pools
Fibreglass pools
Pools with heating systems and salt chlorinators
80mm Main Drain Line
An 80mm main drain line is used where very high water flow is required. It is commonly installed on large residential pools, commercial pools, pools with multiple pumps, or systems incorporating in-floor cleaning and extensive water features. The larger pipe diameter reduces friction losses, improves hydraulic performance, and allows greater water volumes to move efficiently through the filtration system.
Best for:
Large residential pools
Commercial pools
In-floor cleaning systems
High-flow filtration systems
Multiple water features and large equipment installations
Channel Pool Main Drains
Channel drains are a modern alternative to traditional circular main drains and are installed in the deepest section of a swimming pool. Their long, narrow design provides a larger water intake area, improving circulation while reducing suction velocity. This creates safer, more efficient water movement and is why channel drains are commonly used in modern residential and commercial pool construction. They also enhance the overall appearance of the pool by blending seamlessly into the floor finish.
40mm Channel Drain Line
A 40mm channel drain line is suitable for plunge pools, spas, and smaller residential pools with lower flow requirements. It provides reliable bottom circulation while working efficiently with compact filtration systems.
Best for:
Plunge pools
Small residential pools
Spas
Low-flow circulation systems
50mm Channel Drain Line
A 50mm channel drain line is the most common choice for residential swimming pools. It provides excellent water circulation and is compatible with modern filtration equipment, variable speed pumps, heat pumps, and salt chlorinators. It delivers efficient hydraulic performance for everyday residential use.
Best for:
Standard residential pools
Concrete and fibreglass pools
Heated pools
Salt chlorinated pools
General filtration systems
80mm Channel Drain Line
An 80mm channel drain line is designed for pools requiring high water flow and superior hydraulic performance. It is commonly installed in large residential pools, commercial pools, and systems with in-floor cleaning, multiple pumps, or large water features. The increased pipe diameter minimises friction loss and allows higher flow rates, making it ideal for demanding applications.
Best for:
Large residential pools
Commercial pools
In-floor cleaning systems
High-flow circulation systems
Pools with waterfalls, deck jets, or multiple water features
Why Choose a Channel Drain?
Compared to a traditional circular main drain, a channel drain offers a larger suction area, improved water circulation, and enhanced swimmer safety by reducing suction velocity. Its streamlined design also creates a cleaner, more modern finish while helping eliminate debris from the deepest part of the pool more efficiently. When correctly matched with the appropriate pipe size, a channel drain contributes to better hydraulic efficiency, lower energy consumption, and improved overall pool performance.
Pool Skimmers
Pool skimmers are installed at the waterline to continuously remove floating debris such as leaves, insects, dust, and oils before they sink to the bottom of the pool. By drawing surface water into the filtration system, skimmers improve water quality, enhance circulation, and reduce the workload on your pool cleaner. Choosing the correct skimmer and pipe size ensures efficient hydraulic performance and reliable filtration.
40mm Single Port Skimmer
A 40mm single port skimmer is designed for smaller pools, plunge pools, and spas where lower water flow is required. With one dedicated suction outlet connected to the filtration system, it provides effective surface cleaning while keeping the plumbing system simple and economical.
Best for:
Plunge pools
Small residential pools
Spas
Low-flow filtration systems
50mm Single Port Skimmer
A 50mm single port skimmer is the standard choice for most residential swimming pools. The larger pipe diameter improves water flow, reduces hydraulic resistance, and provides more efficient surface skimming. It is compatible with modern variable speed pumps, heat pumps, and salt chlorination systems.
Best for:
Standard residential pools
Concrete and fibreglass pools
Heated pools
Salt chlorinated pools
40mm Dual Port Skimmer
A 40mm dual port skimmer features two plumbing connections. The primary port is connected to the filtration pump, while the second port can be used for a dedicated water feature, a supplementary suction line, or an additional in-floor cleaning system. This provides greater flexibility when designing compact pool systems.
Best for:
Small pools with water features
Plunge pools
In-floor cleaning systems
Future equipment upgrades
50mm Dual Port Skimmer
A 50mm dual port skimmer offers the highest level of flexibility for residential pool installations. The main port supplies water to the filtration system, while the second port is commonly used to feed a water feature, connect an in-floor cleaning system, or provide an additional suction line. The larger 50mm plumbing allows higher flow rates with improved hydraulic efficiency, making it ideal for modern pools with multiple circulation requirements.
Best for:
Medium to large residential pools
Pools with waterfalls or deck jets
In-floor cleaning systems
Variable speed pump installations
Pools designed for future expansion
Choosing the Right Skimmer
Single port skimmers are ideal for standard pool filtration systems where only one suction connection is required. Dual port skimmers provide additional flexibility by allowing a second plumbing connection for water features, in-floor cleaning systems, or future equipment upgrades without requiring major plumbing modifications. Selecting the appropriate pipe size and skimmer configuration helps maximise circulation, improve filtration efficiency, and ensure long-term system performance.
Venturi-Powered Pool Skimmers
Venturi-powered skimmers use the Venturi effect to increase the skimmer's ability to capture floating debris. Instead of relying solely on suction from the pool pump, a return line directs a jet of water through a specially designed nozzle inside the skimmer. This creates a low-pressure area that draws additional surface water into the skimmer, significantly improving surface cleaning performance.
By increasing the speed of the water entering the skimmer, Venturi-powered skimmers are highly effective at removing leaves, insects, dust, pollen, and oils before they sink to the bottom of the pool. They also improve surface circulation, helping distribute chemicals and heated water more evenly across the pool.
Hydrostatic Valves
A hydrostatic valve is a safety device installed in the main drain or hydrostatic sump of a concrete swimming pool. Its primary purpose is to protect the pool structure from hydrostatic pressure caused by groundwater beneath the pool. When groundwater pressure becomes greater than the pressure inside an empty or partially drained pool, the valve automatically opens, allowing groundwater to enter the pool rather than forcing the pool shell to lift or crack.
Hydrostatic valves are especially important in areas with high water tables or where heavy rainfall can increase groundwater levels. While they remain closed during normal pool operation, they provide critical protection whenever the pool is drained for repairs, resurfacing, or maintenance.
Benefits
Protects the pool shell from hydrostatic pressure.
Helps prevent the pool from lifting or "floating."
Reduces the risk of structural cracking and damage.
Automatically opens when groundwater pressure becomes excessive.
Provides added protection during pool draining and renovations.
Simple, reliable, and requires minimal maintenance.
Best Applications
Hydrostatic valves are recommended for all in-ground concrete pools, particularly those built in areas with high groundwater levels, clay soils, flood-prone regions, or locations that experience frequent heavy rainfall. They are an essential component for protecting the long-term structural integrity of the pool.
Although a hydrostatic valve is an important safeguard, it should not be relied upon as the only method of groundwater control. Before draining a pool, groundwater conditions should always be assessed, and additional dewatering may be required where groundwater levels are high.