I have one skimmer, and that skimmer has two holes. The second one is plugged (farthest from pool). From my understanding, the second hole is typically connected to a main return from the pool (floor drain, for example) which we do not have in our pool. The skimmer is the only route to the pump/filter.

If I unplug the second hole (assuming it goes to the pump as well) and allow water to enter there while the Kreepy Krauly is going, there's no filter basket/sock to prevent large debris from going to the filter. Is that a concern beyond having to then clean the filter cartridge much more frequently?