Skimmer and main drain?

[Cherylr]

Hello again,
This year's reopen has been soooo much better thanks to everything I learned last year on this forum. THANK YOU again!

My simple question: When the valve is open for the pump and filter to get water from the skimmer, is the valve for the pump and filter to get water from the main drains also supposed to be open?

Cheryl R.
Kenton, TN
22,000 gal AG vinyl liner sand filter

 

[ROB N]

I leave my MD valve about 1/2 way open and skimmer all the way open. This will help with. Circulation in the deep end and if your water gets low your pump will not be starved for water.

 

[257WbyMag]

You can have both open if you like. That way, you can pull some water from the bottom of the pool as well as from the top.

 

[Cherylr]

What about when I try to vacuum? This is my 3rd summer with the pool, and I have never been able to get any suction. I've been careful to prime my hose, and I think the problem may be that I am short and reaching over the pool and trying to get the thing in the skimmer is difficult. I figure I may lose the prime in doing this, but today I wondered if I would get more suction through the skimmer with the main drain closed.

 

[Richard320]

What about when I try to vacuum? This is my 3rd summer with the pool, and I have never been able to get any suction. I've been careful to prime my hose, and I think the problem may be that I am short and reaching over the pool and trying to get the thing in the skimmer is difficult. I figure I may lose the prime in doing this, but today I wondered if I would get more suction through the skimmer with the main drain closed.

Yes. That's been your problem all along, most likely.

I pull about 1/3 of my water from the main drain. It helps even out the temperature. There's none of that cold water stratification when you dive down.