New Fiberglass Install - Southern NJ
- Thread starter Candurin
- Start date
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,496
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
No, it just means the main drain pipe alone is too small to feed the pump.
What RPM was the pump running at?
You can't feed a big pump through a straw.
@ajw22 It is running at 1600 RPM. Even at 50% skimmer/50% main drain, I'm seeing issues. Seems as though if all my plumbing is 2" rigid PVC, why can skimmer handle 100% and main drains cannot?
I am ok if things are as they should be, just in understanding mode now.
I am ok if things are as they should be, just in understanding mode now.
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,496
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Main drains often get clogged with construction debris. There is not anything to clean them out the way you clean out your skimmer.
How deep is the water by your MD?
You would need to get down to the cover and open it up.
Or if you have a source of compressed air you can try blowing out the line.
How deep is the water by your MD?
You would need to get down to the cover and open it up.
Or if you have a source of compressed air you can try blowing out the line.
I threw my dive gear on and went down. No obstructions that I could see in the pipes (they are still open as I have not had a chance to put the drain covers on (which PB forgot to do before filling with water). The split main drains are 6.5' down from the surface on the back wall of the deep end (about 1" off floor of pool).
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,496
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,496
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
I found this picture if it sheds any light. It comes off the T and a straight shot to the diverter.
Hopefully there are later pictures to see the plumbing but in the chance there isn't a connection then the main drain that runs to the pump is capped off.
You should have no issue running the pump at 100% feeding off dual drains with 2" plumbing. I do it all the time. I do it at my own pool too. When you watch the lid are you getting lots of turbulent water and air as it starves out? I hate to say it but at 50/50 with debris or blockage in drain line the pump wouldnt react, it would just pull harder from skimmer by default. Only air in the line would cause the issue described. I hope its something simple
Got it working. The “straw” analogy was perfect. It took a few primes and high speeds but it finally started to pull from drains. That 100’ of pipe is no joke.
Thank you all for walking me through it.
Today I learned to wait 2 more weeks to open our pool. Neighbor’s dogwood tree flower has blossomed and is blowing into our pool. Emptied the skimmer basket 4 times (full!) already
Thank you all for walking me through it.
Today I learned to wait 2 more weeks to open our pool. Neighbor’s dogwood tree flower has blossomed and is blowing into our pool. Emptied the skimmer basket 4 times (full!) already
- Jul 21, 2013
- 65,496
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
Today I learned to wait 2 more weeks to open our pool. Neighbor’s dogwood tree flower has blossomed and is blowing into our pool. Emptied the skimmer basket 4 times (full!) already
Glad you figured out it was just air in the main drain line. I didn't realize how new your pool was and this was the first time you were running it.
I think the benefits of opening early outweigh the cleaning that spring drops require. I like to open early and find out what problems need to be fixed and get my chemicals all set so I can be using the pool by late May. Otherwise you open up the pool later and first find the problems and it takes until into June to be usable. And service folks are often more available earlier in the season before they get real busy.
This year I need to do surgery to my MasterTemp heater and replace the thermal regulator and bypass valve. I should have the parts to do it next week. Every year there is something that needs to be repaired on opening.
I hear you. I had the chemistry all set within the first 5 days or so (TFP for the win).
I did also have the benefit of getting the water to warm up naturally.
Outside of the dogwood flower invasion, we’ve had minimal surface debris. In fact, today was the first time I took out the leaf rake and surface skimmer.
I did also have the benefit of getting the water to warm up naturally.
Outside of the dogwood flower invasion, we’ve had minimal surface debris. In fact, today was the first time I took out the leaf rake and surface skimmer.
I'm in the same boat. We just had plaster done on Tuesday and I'm on my 4th day of startup. I thought about delaying plaster a week or two(for other reasons, final grading), but was scared that I may lose my place in line or weather issues. Now I'm dealing with Dogwood flowers, Ragweed and Pine needles. Today's forecast = 60mph wind gustsGot it working. The “straw” analogy was perfect. It took a few primes and high speeds but it finally started to pull from drains. That 100’ of pipe is no joke.
Thank you all for walking me through it.
Today I learned to wait 2 more weeks to open our pool. Neighbor’s dogwood tree flower has blossomed and is blowing into our pool. Emptied the skimmer basket 4 times (full!) already
Exactly this! Fortunately, the winds push towards the skimmer! @SecoSteve Completely random, but I was just in Oxford a few days ago. Right around the corner from where you are.I'm in the same boat. We just had plaster done on Tuesday and I'm on my 4th day of startup. I thought about delaying plaster a week or two(for other reasons, final grading), but was scared that I may lose my place in line or weather issues. Now I'm dealing with Dogwood flowers, Ragweed and Pine needles. Today's forecast = 60mph wind gusts
Wow. Small world.