Doing a rain dance- better for pump to switch off skimmer?

Jump to latest Follow Reply
B.lu

B.lu

Gold Supporter
Silver Supporter
Oct 16, 2020
262
New England
Pool Size
20000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Jandy Aquapure 1400
Hi! There is a drought going on where I live and I am on well water. My water level in the pool is getting low and almost won’t make it into the skimmer. Last weekend I added water from my well and ended up almost depleting my well. It’s bounced back but the water table is too low right now for me to risk it again. I called some water delivery companies to top off the pool. One said they don’t do it, the other said they would for $350… We are expecting rain soon according to the forecast, including several days. So I just have to get past this week. Is it a good idea to switch the pump from mostly the skimmer and a little of main drain to 100% main drain? That way it won’t suck air if I happen to not be around when it reaches too low?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Quartermaster
You can do that. But be ware that initiating prime from the main drain can at times be problematic. May not be for you, but it can happen. I would check that the pump primed when it is supposed to be running.
 
If the skimmer is getting close to sucking air, switch to full main drain.
Any chance you could add a little water each day instead of waiting a longer period of time? This may help your well water level recover a little each day instead of a bunch all at once.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Stump
proavia said:
If the skimmer is getting close to sucking air, switch to full main drain.
Any chance you could add a little water each day instead of waiting a longer period of time? This may help your well water level recover a little each day instead of a bunch all at once.
Click to expand...
That’s a good idea
 
proavia said:
If the skimmer is getting close to sucking air, switch to full main drain.
Any chance you could add a little water each day instead of waiting a longer period of time? This may help your well water level recover a little each day instead of a bunch all at once.
Click to expand...
If I run the pump 24/7 (which I do at variable low speeds, enough to allow by swg to run), does that prevent the pump from having to prime?
 
If you lose and regain power, the pump will prime again.

I wonder if there are ways to defeat that? In this scenario, you'd want the pump to remain off until you can manually restart it.
 
If she loses power the pump would stay primed with no air leaks. It's only usually and issue when opening equipment, like to clean the pump basket or filter. Then you have to prime and it may be problematic from the main drains if the equipment pad is a few feet higher than the pool.
 
  • Like
Reactions: B.lu
The water level in the main drain pipe will be at the same level as the pool water level.
It's not like you're attempting to lift water in an empty pipe all the way from the pool bottom.
Re-priming shouldn't be too much of an issue, unless the pool is more than half empty.
 
  • Like
Reactions: B.lu and Newdude
Is it feasible (or advisable?) to hook your pool vacuum up to the skimmer and use that as your water intake source for filtering and circulation? Probably should suspend it a bit off the bottom. Maybe the guys/gals who know will chime in. (HINT!) :unsure:

We are enduring the same drought conditions as you, plus a well for fill water, and I've been contemplating a few different solutions in case levels get too low. We did finally get about a half inch of rain overnight, maybe might get some more tonight. I think it's headed your way! Don't stop dancin'!!!
 
  • Love
Reactions: B.lu

Enjoying this content?

Support TFP with a donation.

Give Support
Running the pump on a slower speed should help in not draining the skimmer. But if the water get below the skimmer inlet the main drain would be a good option, should not be any more difficult to prime if you loose the prime.

Adding a little water each day would be option. Do it at times when you are not going to be using it much and also at times when it will have time all the well to recover after to stop adding water. If you know your well can handle 5 gpm continuously, set your hose to fill a 5 gallon bucket in 5 or 10 minutes and let it slowly fill the pool.
 
  • Like
Reactions: B.lu
Valve out you skimmers and just run on main drain. If you shut off the pump and can't prime hook up you water hose to the pump basket (drain plug of basket, install valve) to help prime with main drain.

If its that dry rig up you gutters to the pool for your next rain. Pump speed does not matter since you know that you are gonna be below skimmer. You are gonna suck air.
 
  • Like
Reactions: B.lu
Newdude said:
Hang tight @B.lu. it's by me with only a few miles to go. It's POURING :ROFLMAO:
Click to expand...
It is raining here already too! Not quite as heavy as I'd like but still promising. I'm switching back to skimmer mode tomorrow a.m. and will top the pool off with a hose for a bit if it's not at the midway point. Last summer I had so much rain I kept having to drain. Funny how the issues flip flop
 
  • Like
Reactions: Newdude
You must log in or register to reply here.
Thread Status
Hello , This thread has been inactive for over 60 days. New postings here are unlikely to be seen or responded to by other members. For better visibility, consider Starting A New Thread.
Top Bottom
Back
Jump to latest Follow Reply