Air in return lines

[hhunt32]

Hello All

I have a recently installed in-ground pool L shape roughly 35k gallons. I have a Hayward Tristar VSP 950 with a 500 lb. Hayward Sand filter. The pool has 5 return jets and 2 skimmers with a slide, water fall and 4 deck jets. I have noticed I am getting air bubbles in 3 of the 5 return jets. There is 1 that is really bad and the other 2 are mild compared to the 1. I have researched possible causes and most sources say it is a suction side leak causing the air. I have checked the pump lid/basket, all suction side lines and have not detected any air getting into the system from the suction side of the plumbing. When the pump is running there are no bubble in the pump basket but the jets still have air bubbles. I decided to plug the one jet with a plumbing plug to see if the other jets bubbles worsened or stopped and I noticed that the air seemed to be coming from behind the jet (see pic/video Return pic/video). Can anyone provide any information of the potential cause? My pool water does not appear to be leaking down so I do not suspect an underground pipe leak issue (although still could be possible). Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated. I put the tape on the pipe joints to help try and isolate an air leak but to no avial the air is still coming out of the return lines. I've also tried soap and using a water hose stream to cover all joints, pump lid and drain plugs but still same problem.

 

[Texas Splash]

Please post some pics of your equipment pad. Is that one return, that shows the most bubbles, closer to the equipment pad than the others? If so, it would make sense it's showing the most air if they are on the same line. Air is certainly from somewhere getting pulled "in". If you have a leak after the pump/filter, it will push water "out" unless the pump is off. But let's see some pics and go from there.

 

[hhunt32]

Please post some pics of your equipment pad. Is that one return, that shows the most bubbles, closer to the equipment pad than the others? If so, it would make sense it's showing the most air if they are on the same line. Air is certainly from somewhere getting pulled "in". If you have a leak after the pump/filter, it will push water "out" unless the pump is off. But let's see some pics and go from there.

Will be posting pictures of the equipment pad shortly. But the return with the most bubbles is actually farther away from the equipment pad.

 

[mknauss]

What is the 'black box'?

 

[hhunt32]

What is the 'black box'?

That is a DEL AOP system for Ozone/UV system for water sanitizer.

 

[mknauss]

Ozone puts air in your water.

That is all magic. How are you adding chlorine, which is your actual sanitizer.

 

[Turbo1Ton]

My vote is that the ozone is the culprit, as Marty indicated. Mine did the same thing and it drove me crazy, so I removed it since I learned after the fact that it really did not have a benefit.

--Jeff

 

[hhunt32]

My vote is that the ozone is the culprit, as Marty indicated. Mine did the same thing and it drove me crazy, so I removed it since I learned after the fact that it really did not have a benefit.

--Jeff

Yes I understand. My Ozone has never been powered on however so it is definitely not the ozone. I have the breaker turned off and it is not actively working. The water passes through but it is not being treated.

 

[mknauss]

Check to be sure air is still not being pulled in by the ozone device. I believe it is an eductor type device is it not?

 

[hhunt32]

I am not sure about that but it is on the return side vs. suction side and the bubbles that it would emit would be more fine bubbles from what I've read and the issue Im having are a lot larger bubbles. I will double check however.

 

[hhunt32]

Check to be sure air is still not being pulled in by the ozone device. I believe it is an eductor type device is it not?

So after your suggestion, I reached out to the manufacturer of the Ozone/UV system. They indeed told me that if my inground plumbing has turns/bends that there could be some gas building up at these turns and then coming out in large gulps (which is what I was seeing). They told me to clamp the ozone gas line with the Ozone/UV generator off for about 2 minutes to see if my issue resolved. I followed their instructions and that resolved the issue. Once I clamped the line within 1 min. the bubbling subsided and after 2 minutes they were completely gone. What a relief! They suggested we get an MDV to resolve the issue entirely. I want to send a kind thank you for making that suggestion, if you had not I would still be running in circles. My next option was to have a pool specialist solve the issue at a consultation rate of $1250. Once again thanks to you all.

 

[mknauss]

I want to send a kind thank you for making that suggestion, if you had not I would still be running in circles.

You are very welcome.

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[wireform]

Do not get the MDV as the system they sold you is all bull feathers. Have a customer new build last season with the same expensive magic. Guess what, this year we're disconnecting all the magic and installing the one proven sanitizing device which is proven 100% known as SWCG. He has invested over $200k and had the most ugly looking water surrounded by gorgeous landscaping. Tried talking him out of it but the salesman had a good grip on him.

 

[hhunt32]

Do not get the MDV as the system they sold you is all bull feathers. Have a customer new build last season with the same expensive magic. Guess what, this year we're disconnecting all the magic and installing the one proven sanitizing device which is proven 100% known as SWCG. He has invested over $200k and had the most ugly looking water surrounded by gorgeous landscaping. Tried talking him out of it but the salesman had a good grip on him.

I have a saltwater chlorine generator as well. Is that what SWCG is referring to?

 

[wireform]

I have a saltwater chlorine generator as well. Is that what SWCG is referring to?

Yes but it's not in the signature.