Skim Vac Plate Issues

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Nicholasboiss

Nicholasboiss

Member
May 22, 2021
16
Enfield, CT
Pool Size
18500
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
Hello, new to the forum, so I am trying to get all my questions out. I am attempting to use a Skim Vac plate, to vacuum my pool. When I put the adapter onto the skimmer, quickly, I get suction, but I can hear air swirling around and I get about 4 minutes of vacuuming before the adapter pops off and dirt starts flowing back into the pool from that end.

I had read that other people just attach the hose end directly into bottom of skimmer and I do have the piece to do that. I believe that would solve my issue, but I am wary of doing it. All large debris like leaves, I get out before I vacuum, but for direct and the dead algae I am getting, I would like to try this method of vacuuming.

Any experience with this?
 
I don't know much about skimmer plates, but it sounds like your hose is sucking air at one of the connections, or at the skimmer plate.

If you decide to connect directly to the skimmer port, try to remove large debris before vacuuming. Debris will end up in the pump basket. Make sure you check the pump basket frequently while vacuuming.

You mentioned algae. If you are battling algae, your filter may require frequent backwashes until it clears. Monitor your filter pressure and clean when pressure rises 25% above the clean/baseline pressure.
 
Do you blow all of the air out of the hose using the return before attaching to the skimmer?
My hose has a swivel end that needs to be on the vacuum side, not the skimmer side or the swivel joint leaks air and that's bad.

Also, there needs to be water covering the gap between the vacuum adapter and the skimmer which is usually the case anyway unless you're lowering the pool for winter etc.

If your pump has multiple speeds make sure it's in high speed and the filter is relatively clean before you start vacuuming.
 
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cj133 said:
Do you blow all of the air out of the hose using the return before attaching to the skimmer?
My hose has a swivel end that needs to be on the vacuum side, not the skimmer side or the swivel joint leaks air and that's bad.

Also, there needs to be water covering the gap between the vacuum adapter and the skimmer which is usually the case anyway unless you're lowering the pool for winter etc.

If your pump has multiple speeds make sure it's in high speed and the filter is relatively clean before you start vacuuming.
Click to expand...
I think you actually just solved this for me. I recently brought the water level higher than normal, and now the plate would be covering the skimmer and all of that would be completely underwater. Before, water would sort of rush over it, which is why air was sneaking in. I am going to try and vacuum now with plate on, and see if I can stay prime.
 
Rancho Cost-a-Lotta said:
I don't know much about skimmer plates, but it sounds like your hose is sucking air at one of the connections, or at the skimmer plate.

If you decide to connect directly to the skimmer port, try to remove large debris before vacuuming. Debris will end up in the pump basket. Make sure you check the pump basket frequently while vacuuming.

You mentioned algae. If you are battling algae, your filter may require frequent backwashes until it clears. Monitor your filter pressure and clean when pressure rises 25% above the clean/baseline pressure.
Click to expand...
Yes, the water level may not have been high enough for the vac plate, which I addressed below. I had to order another pressure gauge because the ticker, got stuck on the other side of the little line that sticks out, so I am not getting any reading on it, but I backwash frequently during the slam process I am in.
 
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2 things to add. :)

One is the rubber gasket that goes around the inside of the plate and sucks tight to the skimmer. They get lose and pop out.

Two is the hose collar where it secures to the corrugated hose part. This is the main failure point of all vac hoses from the joining of 2 different materials and constant tugging on it. If yours (or when yours) starts whistling or bubbling, It’s sucking air. I was able to get 30 more minutes of vac time by splashing the collar full of water. It half sealed it and took a while to suck it all into the hose. A season or two later I replaced it, scouring reviews of every hose out there saying they didn’t last a week, and the new hose did the same a month later. So I just kept filling the collar at the start and then again mid vac.

They make elbow plates that have a 90 degree bend to put the hose through the skimmer and not up and over it. It seems like a much better design and function. I will be getting one for my next pool.

Not sure which one you need but this is the idea

Amazon.com: Hayward SP11071 Skim Vac In-Ground Pool Skimmer : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Amazon.com: Hayward SP11071 Skim Vac In-Ground Pool Skimmer : Patio, Lawn & Garden
www.amazon.com
 
Newdude said:
2 things to add. :)

One is the rubber gasket that goes around the inside of the plate and sucks tight to the skimmer. They get lose and pop out.

Two is the hose collar where it secures to the corrugated hose part. This is the main failure point of all vac hoses from the joining of 2 different materials and constant tugging on it. If yours (or when yours) starts whistling or bubbling, It’s sucking air. I was able to get 30 more minutes of vac time by splashing the collar full of water. It half sealed it and took a while to suck it all into the hose. A season or two later I replaced it, scouring reviews of every hose out there saying they didn’t last a week, and the new hose did the same a month later. So I just kept filling the collar at the start and then again mid vac.

They make elbow plates that have a 90 degree bend to put the hose through the skimmer and not up and over it. It seems like a much better design and function. I will be getting one for my next pool.

Not sure which one you need but this is the idea

Amazon.com: Hayward SP11071 Skim Vac In-Ground Pool Skimmer : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Amazon.com: Hayward SP11071 Skim Vac In-Ground Pool Skimmer : Patio, Lawn & Garden
www.amazon.com
Click to expand...
Yes, this is the one I had. Issue was I wasn't keeping enough water in the pool when trying to vacuum so the point at which that plate and the skimmer meet weren't submerged. Just tried and was able to get around the whole pool without losing prime. Good tips to keep in mind, nonetheless.
 
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I vac while swimming with a mask/snorkel and it’s quiet time below the surface, far away from the house of hormones. Get a real good view of what needs vac-ing too. :)
 
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I fought with my skimmer vac and hoses about 3 times before I couldn't do it any more and bought a PoolBlaster cordless vac. I also couldn't justify the cost of a robot but for my sanity, I needed a hose-free option so I found this middle-ground. Works great for me.
 
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magiteck said:
I fought with my skimmer vac and hoses about 3 times before I couldn't do it any more and bought a PoolBlaster cordless vac. I also couldn't justify the cost of a robot but for my sanity, I needed a hose-free option so I found this middle-ground. Works great for me.
Click to expand...
Hmmmm... this is interesting. Might be up my alley if it means I never have to lug out the hose vac again.
 
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