I'm having issues where I've had a ton of turbulence in my pump strainer basket. When I was still using a pool service he mentioned that this was normal for this type of pump. I've been messing around with it and I notice that when I divert water away from the skimmers and to the main drain the turbulence in the pump decreases greatly. At the advice of another thread someone mentioned the weirs may be the culprit. I've looked at my weirs and I've even held them down yet the pump still has a ton of turbulence unless I close off the skimmers. Any thoughts?

Does it create a vortex in the skimmer, pulling in air. Water level should be half way up the skimmer. What kind and size pump, plumbing do you have?

It's a 2 hp Hayward Northstar Pump. Water level is at its peak. No vortex with the weir in its normal position or the weir held down. I'm guessing the piping is 2" pvc. Picture may help

As noted above. At the inlet there's a valve adjusting where the pump is pulling water from. If left in a position where it's fully open to both the main drain and the skimmer I get a ton of turbulence. Once I adjust to block the skimmer line off most of the turbulence goes away

This plumbing is typical of a pool/spa combo with the actuated valve in the pool suction position. It also appears you have a single skimmer and drain in the pool.

If the above is correct, then

The valve controlling those sources appears to be off, as evidenced by the handle pointing and buried slightly in the ground. Turn that handle 180 degrees so the handle is up.

Scott

There's 2 skimmers and 2 drains in the pool. Pointing it up would block all incoming flow to the pump and as such the valve does not turn in that direction. Maybe it's the picture but the handle is pointing up. As it's currently set I would think that both lines (drains and skimmers) are completely open to the pump. Turning it 180 I think would block off all flow....Unless I'm dumb which could be the case.

Another pick for reference. Can't really see the handle but it gives an idea regarding the rest of the plumbing

Really hard to tell, Eric, but that looks like 1 1/2" plumbing to me. That's pretty tough on a 2 HP pump. By allowing more water flow you are helping the pump draw easier; still not optimal for that big of a pump, but helpful!

It very well could be. It was just a guess at this time. I'll measure when I get home. So what you're thinking is that the pump can not pull enough liquid through the small pipe and thus results in the turbulence within the basket? That may make sense as if it's switched over to just the main drain the increased head pressure may allow for better flow.

On a 2 HP pump, I would really like to see 3" pipe, so you will be "undersized" with anything less, in my opinion. But, you can "help" the pump by doing anything you can to get it more water. It will always "neck down" at the front of the pump, but if you can keep multiple pipes feeding as far as possible, that will help.

Pipe has a "flow rate" associated with diameter. Big pumps need bigger pipes to supply proper flow. Length of run, 90 degree fittings, solar, etc. all impact pump performance, both coming and going. Someday, if I were you, I would switch out that 2 HP pump (good chance it is too big for your pool anyway!). I didn't look ( ), but how many gallons is your pool? A smaller (or multi-speed/variable speed) pump would be good to consider for when you need to replace what you have.

Ya I've been doing a bit of reading on pump performance since you mentioned it and it very well looks like the pump is oversized. I don't think there's anything else I can do to increase flow right now though as all the intake lines to the pool are open. I have the pool estimated to be about 15k gallons. As for replacement, any problem on just waiting for this one to die due to age/use? Thanks for the help all

Wow, you could be using a 3/4 HP pump (and saving a lot of electrical dollars) on your pool! Somebody wasn't thinking of your wallet when they put that pump in!

No worries on running it until it dies, except for the electric costs. The good news is that you have good sized pipe for the smaller pump, and a lot of options for more efficient pumps when you do need to go that route. For now, you'll just have to keep pushing 4 lanes of freeway traffic into one lane (is that a good analogy for the water?!).

Thanks Bruce. It came with the house when I bought it and it looks as though they bought in to all the high end stuff. Ozonator, pumps, controls, etc. They also put in an exact duplica of the pump just to run the waterfall feature.

I noticed it all looked like nice stuff, and lots of it! Nothing wrong with that!

Now, quit worrying about this stuff and go use that pool Isn't it hot in Texas, and isn't that where you really should be instead of on the computer

If only work would allow it. Thanks again Bruce.