At a lost

[throwaway]

Hello everyone,

I have been able to get our pool almost all blue. The problem I am having is that I can only vacuum to waste. Whenever I try and vacuum with the filter the vacuum just stops. Vacuuming to waste takes water out of our pool so fast and doesn't get the areas I need it to. Any idea how to increase suction so vacuum will work with filter like it used to?

Thanks everyone

 

[JasonLion]

Does the filter get dirty very quickly, ie pressure go up, or does the pump lose prime, ie air in the pump strainer basket?

 

[throwaway]

there is air( i guess in the strainer, i see a big bubble) The vacuum runs for a couple of seconds and cuts off if I turn the valve to waste, the vacuum comes alive and gets busy. pressure has been at 20 for 2 weeks. never up or down unless I turn valve to waste then pressure goes to 0

 

[zea3]

Have you backwashed the filter lately?

 

[throwaway]

I took the filter out and cleaned it. I do not have backwash on my cartridge filter

 

[zea3]

Can you post a picture of your equipment? Pools with cartridge filter usually do not have a waste line plumbed in, so I am curious to see how everything is set up. Also it may help us figure out what is going on.

 

[throwaway]

I will go out soon as rain stops and get a picture. It has a black valve/switch. skimmer has the usual hose coming to pump then there is a 2 way switch between pump that says filter or waste. Picture will be taken soon as rain calms down

 

[throwaway]

Here is the photos

 

[zea3]

I'm guessing the way it is plumbed now you either must choose waste or filter. If you were interested in doing a little plumbing, you could replace the 2 way valve with a gate or ball valve that would allow you to direct some of the water to waste, some to the filter.

But that wasn't you're original question... Is the pump strainer basket clean? Have you lubed the o-ring on the pump strainer lid? Do you have a spare cartridge you could swap out and see if conditions improve? Have you checked all the connections between the skimmer and the pump for air leaks?

 

[throwaway]

Zea,

thanks for your help. I brought a new cartidge. Go figure problem solved.

 

[zea3]

Glad you solved your problem! If you still have the old cartridge soak it overnight in a solution of 1 cup dishwasher soap and 5 gallons of water and rinse it well. That should remove the embedded gunk and make it a serviceable spare.

 

[throwaway]

I just set up the soaking filter. Thanks again