Pump Basket Won't Fill Up (New Pool)

[sheree202]

My water level got a little low and my Pentair VS Pump told me that it needed primed. I've filled the pool to a good level but the pump basket still isn't filling. I released the air from the filter. There is no valve at the main drain pipes. I have the skimmerclosed and the return open. Am I doing somethong wrong?

 

[borjis]

with the hose in the basket I assume you are priming the pump with fill water first, then closing the lid and starting the pump?

 

[sheree202]

Attempting that, but the pump never fills up.....it just keeping draining and staying 1/2-3/4 full.

 

[Hot6]

Attempting that, but the pump never fills up.....it just keeping draining and staying 1/2-3/4 full.

The most water you'll get in the pump is up to the bottom of the fill pipe. Then it starts filling the pool. Get it close to the white pipe seal it and turn on the pump.

 

[sheree202]

Okay, that worked beautifully. I closed the filter air valve once it started shooting water. As soon as I opened the skimmer valve the pump got air bubbles in it.

 

[Hot6]

Okay, that worked beautifully. I closed the filter air valve once it started shooting water. As soon as I opened the skimmer valve the pump got air bubbles in it.

The air was probably in the skimmer line since you had the valve closed. Let it run for a bit and make sure it draws nothing but water. That's provided the fact that the pool water level is above the skimmer.