Any way to get bigger vacuum hole?

[Xebec]

My AGP has an awfully small vacuum adapter hole below the in-wall skimmer. Then, it gets even smaller when INSERT the hose into it. It's causing my pump basket to drop water level, either through leaks or through "cavitation". That doesn't happen during normal skimming operation. So, that suggests I'd get better results with a larger hole below the in-wall skimmer.

Anyone know of a way to do that?

My skimmer is an older deluxe Doughboy.

 

[AnnaK]

Can you find a vacuum plate to fit your skimmer basket? Mine goes on top of the basket and has a 90° elbow joint to which the vacuum hose connects.

 

[Xebec]

That's an interesting idea. The only skimmer plates I've found, so far, are simple lids that seal the skimmer so the water all comes in through the small vacuum hole in the wall.

Any idea where to look for something like that?

 

[Bpotter]

Most pool supply stores should carry them. I use one it works great.

Here is a link to one for less than $12.00.

http://www.a2zpoolsupply.com/more/57565 ... er-Marker/

 

[Xebec]

Oh, I've seen THOSE. Unfortunately, my doughboy skimmer is rectanglular.

 

[Bpotter]

Oh, That is something I didnt know.

Is your basket round?

Some of the ones I just looked at on line are and that is the seat location for the adaptor.

 

[Xebec]

The basket is round, but it sits in a rectangular skimmer, which has a rectangular lid.

 

[waste]

What you want is a skimmer vacuum plate that will seal over the skimmer basket. You can either measure the outside edge of the skimmer basket or just bring it with you when you shop for one

 

[Xebec]

Yeah, I've been doing that, but I can't find one that fits the rectangle doughboy skimmer. I've only found round ones.

 

[launboy]

Since you mentioned that your pump sucks air when you vacuum, does the skimmer empty of water when you connect the vacuum hose? If it does, then you may be sucking in air from the skimmer.

Adam

 

[Xebec]

Here's the result of my testing, so far...

My hose from the skimmer to the pump has several joints (don't ask!), so I bought some putty that hardens like steel and sealed all those seams. Then, I ran the pump with the skimmer lid on and vacuum hose attached. I rubbed shaving cream over all the seams and confirmed (as best I can) that no air is getting in from the skimmer to the pump.

Then, I watched the pump basket for about 10 minutes. Definitely less air in there than before, so I conclude there WERE leaks, previously, in my hose from the skimmer to the pump.

Then, I watched the skimmer basket. As time went on, the water level slowly dropped, leaving more and more air in the skimmer. The skimmer lid (which is only kept on by suction) was letting SOMETHING through the edges, and it looked like air might have been mixed in with the stream. But, it was fully covered with water, and there was no "whirlpool", so I don't know if there really was air, or if there was, where it was coming from (maybe extracted from the water, itself?).

Anyway, I've given up on the whole vacuum thing. My pool was badly designed with such small holes. I think the problems began when I replaced my pump. I must have replaced it with a more powerful one, and the higher suction is causing too much vacuum when sucking through that small hole.

Instead of vacuuming (and instead of the aquabug auto vacuum), I'm going to get an Aquabot Rover Jr. It has it's own filter system, so I don't need to use the vacuum part of my pool.