Air leak somewhere. Is there a flapper in the skimmer? Check to see it is stuck against the side in an elevated position.
Scott
PoolGuyNJ
Scott
PoolGuyNJ
Help us start up our new pool! - tiled 6x12m swg
- Thread starter Charlize
- Start date
Found the flapper of one of the skimmers in the water this morning. Its broken off the hatches. in the skimmer there is no longer any hatches to fit the flapper back on to.
Our gardener used this skimmer last nite to vaccum. maybe something happened when he did this. i cant think of any other reason why the flapper would break off like this.
Our gardener used this skimmer last nite to vaccum. maybe something happened when he did this. i cant think of any other reason why the flapper would break off like this.
Those things usually don't break by themselves. Not having the flapper (aka "weir") can cause a whirlpool effect in your skimmer which brings air into the system. That is likely why you are seeing the flow surge and wane. Can you shut off flow to that skimmer until you can get it fixed?
Or put something in the skimmer that will break up the whirlpool, if that is what's happening. Do I remember hearing about a tennis ball in the skimmer?
--paulr
--paulr
I hope there's more than one skimmer... a 3 HP pump could probably eat a few tennis balls without even burping.PaulR said:
yes, there are 2 skimmers. The other one is ok.
yes, i think something made the flapper break off, more precicely the gardener when he fit or removed the tube for vacuuming. i will try to see what i can put in the skimmer to protect the system.
yes, i think something made the flapper break off, more precicely the gardener when he fit or removed the tube for vacuuming. i will try to see what i can put in the skimmer to protect the system.
ok, i fixed it. There was a small plastic "rod" that had come loose, this rod works as hatches and fits in 2 small holes, one on either side of the skimmers inner wall.
We just solved our first problem, thanks so much guys!
We just solved our first problem, thanks so much guys!
Tell the gardener to put the hose in the skimmer from on top, not through the mouth.
Scott
PoolGuyNJ
Scott
PoolGuyNJ
When we started the pump today, the system started blowing sand into the pool. i stopped the pump immediately. I have talked with the PB, and he is coming in a few days to fix it. He said the likely problem is that the sandfilter is broken. I dont know the details of this problem now of course, but i am fairly sure that what you guys have said is true, the pump is too big, and has blown through the filter. When the PB comes, we will diagnose in more detailed and fix. then i will change the pump.
Hello Charlize
It is common for PB's to install pumps which are just to big. let's wait and see what he has to say, meanwhile you could run the pump on recirculate for a few hours a day to mix the water.
Happy SWims
Frank
ps i sent you a pm
It is common for PB's to install pumps which are just to big. let's wait and see what he has to say, meanwhile you could run the pump on recirculate for a few hours a day to mix the water.
Happy SWims
Frank
ps i sent you a pm
Hello again just a thought, if it was sucking air you have to bleed the filter, that might help.
Frank
Frank
You might want to make sure that the pump is turned OFF each time before the multi-port valve position is changed. Trying to move it with the pump ON can damage the gasket, cause it to not seat properly, and could cause some sand to escape the filter. Also, it is a good idea after backwashing the filter to put it into rinse for a few seconds, before going back to filter mode. Some pool cleaning people might not be aware of the damage that can be done leaving the pump ON, or afraid to turn it OFF, (lest it not start again,) to backwash the filter after vacuuming.
Even though you may have a slightly larger pump then is most electrically efficient, your filter is certainly large enough to handle the pump output, and should not have been "over-powered" by it. The laterals inside of the filter are buried in (and supported by) sand, and it would be very unusual for one to have broken from just pump pressure. If it was broken from the beginning, then you would have had sand outflow from start-up. More likely is that too much sand was put in the filter (or vacuumed up,) and some of the excess just got carried out during backwash, was not rinsed out, and then went into the pool on filter re-start. At least, I hope that is all that happened!
As frankthailand noted, you'll want to keep the circulation and SWG running to ward off water stagnation problems.
Best Wishes, and Good Luck!!!
Even though you may have a slightly larger pump then is most electrically efficient, your filter is certainly large enough to handle the pump output, and should not have been "over-powered" by it. The laterals inside of the filter are buried in (and supported by) sand, and it would be very unusual for one to have broken from just pump pressure. If it was broken from the beginning, then you would have had sand outflow from start-up. More likely is that too much sand was put in the filter (or vacuumed up,) and some of the excess just got carried out during backwash, was not rinsed out, and then went into the pool on filter re-start. At least, I hope that is all that happened!
As frankthailand noted, you'll want to keep the circulation and SWG running to ward off water stagnation problems.
Best Wishes, and Good Luck!!!
FWIW, a 35" sand tank with 2" plumbing can do up to 100 GPM. At 3HP pump can push up to about 150 GPM.
Yes, the pump is oversized.
Scott
PoolGuyNJ
Yes, the pump is oversized.
Scott
PoolGuyNJ
The pool guy has fixed it. He only speaks thai, so i dont know what happened. The PB is coming next week, so i will know more then.
everything has been running nicely now for 10 days. I have received training about how to use the system. This marks the end of this thread, i will make posts in the other subforums when i have questions now.
thanks to all who contributed in this thread!
thanks to all who contributed in this thread!