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Don't ya just love this forum? It has the ability to save you from yourself...and snake oil salesmen. [emoji106]

Personally I would definitely run separate pumps. I can't make an educated suggestion on which pump to run...but a VS would be nice (adjustability in flow would be perfect to dial in the effect you want. my PB used a single speed pump for my waterfalls, and put a valve in it to alter flow...

I'm still betting that you've got too much suction to one line and you're creating an air pocket/void in the skimmer. once you tinker with the diverter do-dad, we will find out if I'm wrong. (it's possible...but my fix is way too easy to not try).

The few bubbles that get trapped in the lid are normal...esp in lids with ridges.

.is it attached the the rest of the skimmer housing with a screw? If so, move it over the hole, covering 1/2 the hole and tighten the screw. a picture is worth 3 billion words.

Look inside the skimmer, is it creating a vortex? remove the skimmer basket and look inside, there may be a small flap that can partially block the suction line. (assuming you have more than one skimmer?) If there is a flap and it's wide open, try blocking it 33-50% some pools use a diverter...

often times the skimmers are plumbed to one single line. using the diverter valve allows you to decrease the suction in one skimmer (thus increasing it in the other(s)) If the lines are not equal length, you will have significantly more suction in the shorter run (Skimmer closest to equipment...

I keep mine aimed just enough to ripple the water surface a little, this makes the skimmer much more effective in my pool (we don't have a dominant wind direction. it comes from all directions). My deep end returns are aimed more downwards than my shallow end returns. The returns help the...

I highly doubt it will make a noticeable impact. I actually think your solution is somewhat hilarious. There are more direct ways, but you got the job done....and it looks like you made it replaceable. two 45 deg angles would do the job. biggest problem I see with it is the potential for air...

hahaha. I like you. Hey, update once you get it installed. VSP's really interest me, so I'm always curious how they work for people. I'm still on a pleb pump (1spd). FWIW, my brand new pentair whisperflo had a bad bearing which was replaced when the pool was 2-3mo old. (because it took the...

First, welcome to the forum. I'm impressed you have all your info in your sig already. Big thumbs up for that. On the problems you're describing. When you crank the suction to just the cleaner, Do you see air in the pump basket? Is all the air out of the hose? - it needs to be. The...

you are correct, there should be a screw on collar that attaches two premade parts together...0-ring sealed vs the silicone seal we see there. I'll try to find a pic. there's pics of them here....more or less...mine screw onto those threads on the valve body itself. some other valve bodies...

THe above quote from Jason is what I was getting at. Are you currently losing water via backwash? Regarding your poor pressure from the return jets... Is there air in the pump basket now? I would assume there is...assuming you have your suction set to the skimmers and the main drain. If you...

when the pump is running, do you see water movement in the backwash sight glass? Honestly it sounds like you're draining the pool via backwash unless I'm misunderstanding the scenario.

biggest thing I've been able to do was stand upwind as you pour...not above and certainly not above and downwind. I assume the container you are pouring into can't be tilted while you pour? If it can, then you can minimize splashing by doing that.

That's the exact sound mine was making. If it's ~1 yr old it should be under warranty....let them deal with it.

mine did the same, it was the bearings in the motor. I called my PB, he called the local pentair repair guy who came and replaced the motor. My pump was loud from day 1....just got louder and louder. When it was replaced it was 5 mo. old.

There are very few times when replacing sand is necessary. If it's always been a chlorine pool, keep the sand, just deep clean it, and all will be fine.

Anything will be pure speculation at this point.

huge +1 to the larger filter. It's worth the $ to get the larger filter.

pretty simple. there are writeups all over. here's first one I found via google. http://www.inyopools.com/HowToPage/how_to_replace_a_pool_pump_with_an_energy_efficient_pump.aspx

Sounds like replacing an entire engine block when the valve cover gasket goes out...just because You might be able to save money on both ends if you swap to a 3/4 hp motor vs the 1hp you have now....If you don't have a hot tub or water features. (I don't see a heater is why I bring this up)...

There may (I lean towards saying "will" instead of "may") be some minor plumbing work to do the pump swap....This may go against the grain here, but Why not just replace the motor? I'd expect that would be even cheaper. Then when things improve financially you can do a full swap to a 2sp or...

+1 to this.

Looks like a foam or paper gasket. but based on the parts diagram that's not a place where water should be. Have an image of the one you have? http://www.inyopools.com/pool_parts_pentair_pac_fab_challenger.aspx - is this the same pump you have? images of the motor are different. water...

The second is likely capped off underground. Many skimmers are built with two ports, so they can be run in series of one another. (this isn't optimal, but it's a frequently performed operation). If you're at the last skimmer on the line, or if your skimmers are all independent of one another...

I think you're right. I didn't even read the AG part...oops.(I skim...badly) 2spd is great as well, definitely will be an improvement over 1spd.

My PB was of the same opinion as yours. I gave in to him, basically because my build was going way higher than I wanted it to anyway...and our electricity is cheap. When I replace my single speed, I will go VS. I know many on here don't think they are worth the money....but it's not a HUGE...

Is there a magic temp (of the outer housing) that should concern you? Or is the thermal breaker the point where you start getting concerned?

I'd use that return as the suction for your waterfalls (you were the one with the waterfall problem right?) If not, Ignore me :p