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    Rust Around Light Retainer Ring

    I did. The rust was coming from the retainer ring. Replaced it ($100) and cleaned the rust off the liner. There was no rust on the screws themselves. I’m pretty sure my pH was the real culprit.
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    Rust Around Light Retainer Ring

    See photo. Salt water vinyl liner pool. Removed the pool cover yesterday and found all this rust. I have to admit that I did notice a small amount of rust last year but didn't address it at the time (yes, I know I should have). I replaced the liner two years ago. At the time, I replaced...
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    IMG_3518.jpg

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    Removing booster pump

    Nothing special there--do it all the time. You can connect them if you want another return or just get two 3/4" threaded male PVC plugs from any hardware store.
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    IMG_2448.JPG

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    IMG_2449.JPG

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    Converting a suction line to a skimmer?

    Pretty sure they'll all have 1.5" connectors on both ends which will work with standard pool hoses. It looks like your cleaner comes with several sections of hose. They're probably standard which means you could just insert the leaf basket between two of the sections. Worse case, you might...
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    Pool Leak...where to start

    Need more info... Type of pool? Pictures of equipment pad and skimmer would be helpful, too. Is the yard or equipment pad wet or does everything seem dry? You said the pump isn't filling up all the way. Do you mean you see air bubbles through the lid on the strainer basket? You also said...
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    Problem With Both Skimmers

    Kinda hard to tell from the pics, but it looks like the valve position on the far left has the first 2 inputs turned off. If those go to your skimmers, neither will have suction. The weirs should each have a piece of Styrofoam-like material on the back side that makes them float. I'm guessing...
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    Troubleshooting a Leak

    Sorry, just noticed that your signature line says you have a fiberglass pool so I understand the sump pump. With a fiberglass pool, you don't want water accumulating outside of the pool since the shell will float if enough accumulates. The sump pump is there to pump off any excess water so...
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    Troubleshooting a Leak

    What are you using a sump pump for? What's its purpose? Is it to pump water out of your yard? You'd be surprised how much water can be lost through a small crack--especially if there's any pressure pushing or pulling it through.
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    How do I drain my pool?! (pictures of my equipment included)

    From the pics, it looks like you have only one pump input at your equipment pad (no valves leading to 2 or more pipes before it goes into the front of the pump). If so, your skimmers and main drain are all attached to that single input. Your main drain will be "daisy chain" attached to the...
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    Converting a suction line to a skimmer?

    Have you considered adding an in-line leaf basket to the cleaner hose? There are several brands and sizes--here's one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IT8U53M/?coliid=I3D9ZY2EJXCSLX&colid=3D211LZQHXGIE&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
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    Do I have a leak?

    Start with a bucket test to determine whether the loss is due to evaporation or a leak. YouTube videos on how to do it are easy to find. If it is a leak, there are many possibilities. You'll need to start a process of isolation and elimination to help pinpoint it. For example, is water loss...
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    Troubleshooting a Leak

    Check around the outlet at the bottom of your skimmer. Freeze cycles can cause the pipe to heave and create a crack around the hole. Inject some leak dye (pump off) all around the inside of your skimmer and see if it pulls to one spot. If that's not it, I'd try a pressure test on the skimmer...
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    Which way should i point my returns??

    I almost always leave my floor drain turned off and do all my filtering from the skimmers. I just don't think the floor drain is very effective as a filter input (a lot of pools don't even have one). I point my returns somewhat downward to help with water circulation. If I had your situation...
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    Floor Drain Problem

    Not sure if there is a solid plate like you described. However, if you remove the grate over the drain, you will likely find a 1.5" hole that would accept an expandable rubber plug--something like this: NEXT by Danco PlugAll 1.5 in. to 2 in. Mechanical Test and Seal Plug-10839 - The Home Depot...
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    Leak detection companies can't find pool leak

    Did either leak detection company check the light niche? If not, they should have. If all your lines passed the pressure test and you've ruled out any leaks in the liner, that would be my next suspect. The conduit connector in the back of the niche can crack or break. It happened to my...
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    Dark Brown Stains

    I'm trying to help my brother convert his pool from a nasty eyesore back to the backyard oasis it once was. Unfortunately, it has suffered from years of "accumulated neglect." I'm taking him through the SLAM process now to turn it from a pond back to a pool, but that's a different story. I...
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    Advice on replacing main drains and sumps?

    I asked this question in my introductory post but it didn't get many views. I thought I'd try again. I plan to replace my 12 year-old liner this summer (still good, but badly faded). I've replaced liners before, so no worries there. However, I have 2 pairs of main drains in my hopper piped...
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    channel drain.jpg

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    Long-time pool owner, new member

    Hi everyone--great site! Although I've owned a self-maintained pool for many years, I have picked up a lot of great tips here. Now I'd like to ask some advice. I have a 12 year-old free-form vinyl liner pool that is in great shape. I'm planning to replace the liner only because it's faded. I...