Skimmer problem

[melody.boutz]

First I've been having trouble with the skimmer basket floating completely out of the skimmer while pump is on. ( I have a sand filter) I read on here to put rocks in the skimmer to keep it from floating. All I had were some lava rocks and that didn't work. It took something very heavy to keep it down. Also nothing happens when the pump is turned on with skimmer attached. The water just flows through the hose and up from the bottom of the skimmer. It doesn't suck the debris into the skimmer at all. As a matter of fact I noticed that debris seems to move toward the return jet moreso with the skimmer disconnected.

Also my skimmer didn't come with a skimmer plate to place on top of skimmer for vacuuming. You have to run skimmer while vacuumjng unless you have an automatic vacuum. Can anyone tell me another way to vacuum? I'm kind of allergic to spending more money on this pool thing at this point. I've spent somewhere around $1000-$1200 on this already on pool + supplies.

Thanks guys.

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[Texas Splash]

Good morning and welcome. Couple questions first in an effort to assist:
- Do you have a pressure gauge on your system? If so, what does it show?
- What type of vacuum do you use?

We'll try to get you some answers as soon as we can.

 

[melody.boutz]

The filter does have a pressure gauge. I don't know right now what it shows but there is always really good flow from the return.

Also the vac is just a basic intex vac. Nothing special.

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[Texas Splash]

At least now we know this is Intex-specific. It is odd that you say you're not seeing good flow into your skimmer, but water appears to be flowing out of the jets fine. I'm not an Intex specialist even though I had one of their smaller starter pools a few years ago. I may have to step back and let some other TFP'ers chime-in with Intex-specific experience answer your questions. Could be more than one variable causing your situation(s).

Others should reply soon.

 

[Richard320]

First I've been having trouble with the skimmer basket floating completely out of the skimmer while pump is on. ( I have a sand filter) I read on here to put rocks in the skimmer to keep it from floating. All I had were some lava rocks and that didn't work. It took something very heavy to keep it down. Also nothing happens when the pump is turned on with skimmer attached. The water just flows through the hose and up from the bottom of the skimmer. It doesn't suck the debris into the skimmer at all. As a matter of fact I noticed that debris seems to move toward the return jet moreso with the skimmer disconnected.

Also my skimmer didn't come with a skimmer plate to place on top of skimmer for vacuuming. You have to run skimmer while vacuumjng unless you have an automatic vacuum. Can anyone tell me another way to vacuum? I'm kind of allergic to spending more money on this pool thing at this point. I've spent somewhere around $1000-$1200 on this already on pool + supplies.

Thanks guys.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

The skimmer needs to be below the surface of the pool. If it's not, it sucks air and you lose prime.

 

[melody.boutz]

OK. I will try that then. Let you know what happens

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[melody.boutz]

At least now we know this is Intex-specific. It is odd that you say you're not seeing good flow into your skimmer, but water appears to be flowing out of the jets fine. I'm not an Intex specialist even though I had one of their smaller starter pools a few years ago. I may have to step back and let some other TFP'ers chime-in with Intex-specific experience answer your questions. Could be more than one variable causing your situation(s).

Others should reply soon.

Here's what I have. My pool is a newer model intex, but I took a pic of the pressure gauge for you to see.

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[Texas Splash]

The pic posted well. I'm assuming this pic was taken while the pump was off right? Also, any luck on relocated the skimmer?

 

[melody.boutz]

The skimmer needs to be below the surface of the pool. If it's not, it sucks air and you lose prime.

OK next question.
Do I connect the vac to the inlet or to the return jet? And can I vac without a skimmer plate? ( the plate that sits over top of skimmer with vac connector)

I know you can with the auto vacs, but what I'm using is a regular intex one that came in a pool care package I bought. The skimmer is intex also.

Here's my water. I'm pretty proud of it except the debris i m having trouble cleaning.

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[Richard320]

I have no clue what kid of vacuum intex has. Is it a normal vacuum that connects to a vacuum hose

Or does it have a bag attached?

Just one fat opening, to the skimmer. Garden hose fitting and bag, pressure side. You've now exhausted my knowledge of intex vacuums. Someone else will have to answer any further questions about that.

We're still curious if the skimmer and pump are working now.

 

[melody.boutz]

I have no clue what kid of vacuum intex has. Is it a normal vacuum that connects to a vacuum hose

Or does it have a bag attached?

Just one fat opening, to the skimmer. Garden hose fitting and bag, pressure side. You've now exhausted my knowledge of intex vacuums. Someone else will have to answer any further questions about that.

We're still curious if the skimmer and pump are working now.

No such luck on the skimmer.

I'll get a pic of the vac and post that.

It's one with a hose connection and telescoping rod.

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[Richard320]

No such luck on the skimmer.

I'll get a pic of the vac and post that.

It's one with a hose connection and telescoping rod.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Is there any chance you have the hoses backwards so the return flow is pushing that strainer basket up?

 

[melody.boutz]

No such luck on the skimmer.

I'll get a pic of the vac and post that.

It's one with a hose connection and telescoping rod.

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There's the vac. The white part is for the hose and blue with little white pegs is for the telescoping rod to fit into.



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[melody.boutz]

Is there any chance you have the hoses backwards so the return flow is pushing that strainer basket up?

Yes. It's in the return jet, ( the one that returns water back to the pool.

Does the vac supposed to go into the inlet or return?

And when I run the skimmer us the pump supposed to be on filter or circulate? Just wondering if I have the pump in the wrong setting and is why it isn't working right.

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[Richard320]

The skimmer goes to the suction hose. Then all the leaves and bugs on the surface get sucked into that basket. The suction hose is the one touching your thumb in this picture

It sticks straight out the front of the pump next to that clear lid.

The multiport valve should be on filter unless there is some special event happening like a backwash.

The vacuum hose connects to the suction hose unless possibly it fits inside the skimmer once you get it hooked up right. I already told you I have reached the limits of my knowledge about intex vacuums, so I could be wrong there.

 

[melody.boutz]

The skimmer goes to the suction hose. Then all the leaves and bugs on the surface get sucked into that basket. The suction hose is the one touching your thumb in this picture

It sticks straight out the front of the pump next to that clear lid.

The multiport valve should be on filter unless there is some special event happening like a backwash.

The vacuum hose connects to the suction hose unless possibly it fits inside the skimmer once you get it hooked up right. I already told you I have reached the limits of my knowledge about intex vacuums, so I could be wrong there.

It's OK. Mayb if I can refer back to my pool manual. This pool is a newer model where the suction hose goes into 2 that connect to the suction hose like in this pic.

They said some kind of new regulation required them to put 2 suction outlets instead of 1.

My blue adapters for both skimmer and vac don't fit the suction. They fit the return jet.

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[melody.boutz]

It's OK. Mayb if I can refer back to my pool manual. This pool is a newer model where the suction hose goes into 2 that connect to the suction hose like in this pic.

They said some kind of new regulation required them to put 2 suction outlets instead of 1.

My blue adapters for both skimmer and vac don't fit the suction. They fit the return jet.

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Here's a better pic. Didn't get the whole thing in the last one.

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[Richard320]

It's OK. Mayb if I can refer back to my pool manual. This pool is a newer model where the suction hose goes into 2 that connect to the suction hose like in this pic.

They said some kind of new regulation required them to put 2 suction outlets instead of 1.

My blue adapters for both skimmer and vac don't fit the suction. They fit the return jet.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Then you have an old style skimmer and new style pool with dual inlets. You're going to have to research that in the above-ground pool forum. Here's one thread
How to use suction-based vacuum with dual outlets?

I have exhausted my knowledge of intex so I won't be replying to this thread any further.

 

[melody.boutz]

Then you have an old style skimmer and new style pool with dual inlets. You're going to have to research that in the above-ground pool forum. Here's one thread
How to use suction-based vacuum with dual outlets?

I have exhausted my knowledge of intex so I won't be replying to this thread any further.

Thank you. I understand.

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[Texas Splash]

I found this Youtube link (below). Not the greatest, but at 29 sec into the video you can pause and see somewhat how they have that vacuum attachment hooked up - at least a little bit. I'm still looing for something (video) better.

Pool Maintanence Kit | Intex 58959E - YouTube