Air in pool pump

[Davileet]

I installed a Hayward Tristar 900 last season and after doing so I have not been able to have it run without air in the pump housing while using filtration. If I put the valve into recirculate the pump does not have issues of catching air in the housing. I am at a loss of what could be causing this issue but would like to correct before next season if possible.

I have the Pentair 48sq ft DE filter with a multi valve that uses 1.5" plumbing. The Hayward pump has a 2" union outlet that I have reduced to match the multiport. Last season to try and fix the air issue I replaced filter grids and grid manifol to no avail.

Could the pump outlet downsizing to multiport have something to do with this air building up in the pump? Would a larger multiport fix it? Any advice would be welcome.

 

[ajw22]

What pump speeds do you get air in the pump basket?

Air in the pump basket with low speeds that clears when the speeds is high is normal. Especially with Hayward pumps.

If you get air in the basket at high pump speeds then you may have a suction side air leak.

Suction Side Air Leaks

If you see air bubbles coming out of the return lines in your pool, you likely have a leak. Some signs that a suction side plumbing leak has occurred include: Read more

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Davileet]

What pump speeds do you get air in the pump basket?

Air in the pump basket with low speeds that clears when the speeds is high is normal. Especially with Hayward pumps.

If you get air in the basket at high pump speeds then you may have a suction side air leak.

Suction Side Air Leaks

If you see air bubbles coming out of the return lines in your pool, you likely have a leak. Some signs that a suction side plumbing leak has occurred include: Read more

www.troublefreepool.com

Its a variable speed pump, so most of the time its running around 50% I think. I do have it going full speed for about 15 minutes a day in an attempt to help flush some of the air out.

During the day the water line is usually right above the basket inside. You are saying this is normal operation?

 

[Jimrahbe]

Dav,

The pool water should be right about the middle of the mouth of the skimmer.. So it should be roughly 3 inches above the skimmer basket.

Almost all VS pumps, running at a low RPM, will have 'some' air under the pump lid.. The key is does this air bubble get bigger and bigger, or does it stay about the same size?

Running the pump faster each day for a few minutes makes perfect sense...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[wireform]

Can we see some pictures of the equipment pad please, maybe a clue.

 

[1poolman1]

I installed a Hayward Tristar 900 last season and after doing so I have not been able to have it run without air in the pump housing while using filtration. If I put the valve into recirculate the pump does not have issues of catching air in the housing. I am at a loss of what could be causing this issue but would like to correct before next season if possible.

I have the Pentair 48sq ft DE filter with a multi valve that uses 1.5" plumbing. The Hayward pump has a 2" union outlet that I have reduced to match the multiport. Last season to try and fix the air issue I replaced filter grids and grid manifol to no avail.

Could the pump outlet downsizing to multiport have something to do with this air building up in the pump? Would a larger multiport fix it? Any advice would be welcome.

Hayward VSPs don't always fill the basket completely with water, even at the high speeds.
Unless there is a lot of air in the filter that can be released regularly during the day or there are a lot of bubbles going into the pool, it is not a suction leak but just the nature of Hayward TriStar pumps, especially at lower speeds.
Mine, the original EcoStar (same pump different name) has done it for 15 years. You get used to it.