I forgot to mention that my Anthony’s skimmer is plumbed to the main drain as well. The 1 1/2 inch opening is threaded, so I plug it first, blow the suction pipe through the pump lid, close the Jandy valve and hope for the best - that the valve will hold the air lock through the winter.Lifted from the closing article :
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There's no rush on the skimmers, like there is trying to air lock the deep end drains/returns. You stick the hose directly into the skimmer pipe and once the pipe is empty, add a gizzmo to the skimmer hole.