On Monday I connected my new Intex 16" sand filter/pump. Only 2 days later I came home to find my over-the-side skimmer (only intake source) up out of the water. I guess the stupid blow-up ring lost some air and didn't hold the skimmer tight. There was some water left in the basket area of the pump; about 1/3 full. The pump was running like that for anywhere up to 3 hours. I fixed it and reset it and it ran fine. So, was the pump just trying to prime itself or was it really sucking air?