Beginner needs some help...

[CoolArrow]

Good day everyone!

So glad to be a part of this place, I am brand new to everything pool related so please forgive the silly question.

First, I'm patiently waiting the arrival of my TF pro salt test kit so I can actually start the TFP process on my brand new pool. The contractors/installers of my pool I had a less than a pleasant experience with, but that's for another thread later. Long story short they said the pool is "ready to go" but never once taught me anything about my new pool. So now I'm stuck learning about everything (this forum has been a God send) from SWCGs to pumps to filters to cleaning.

Anyhow my question is this. I just purchased a pole, brush, net, vacuum and hose from a local pool store. The water is clear but there is lots of dirt at the bottom of the pool. My pump has three inlet valves (skimmer, a vacuum port?, and the other I'm guessing are for the two drains at the deep end?) When I plug the hose into the vacuum inlet do I close off the other valves and just leave that one open to the pump? Or do I leave all the open? Also at what RPM to I run the pump to vacuum dirt from the bottom of the pool?

This will be my first post of many I'm sure but for now I want to get the dirt off the bottom for tomorrow's father's day festivities at my house.

Thanks for all the help in advance!

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Please post photos of your plumbing, particularly the intake valves in front of the pump. It should be pretty straightforward.

I too have an accessory suction port on the side wall of the pool. I simply turn my 3-way 180° to direct suction from the skimmer to the suction port.

By the way, consider yourself lucky that you found TFP before the pool builder had a chance to "teach" you how to care for your pool. You're in good hands here.

 

[CoolArrow]

Here is a photo to start @Rancho Cost-a-Lotta

The two that are open are the skimmer and main drains at the deep end. The closed one is the dedicated vacuum port. Also, I just realized I made a newbie mistake while waiting for a response. The hose I purchased is an inch and a half ID hose and the port on the side of the pool seems to be smaller (maybe 1 1/4). Is there a reducer I can buy to make it work or do I have to try and return the hose I purchased and find a smaller diameter one?

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

For vacuuming, I would close the main drain valve and attach the vacuum hose and attachment to the sidewall port. Open the vacuum port completely. Then, begin closing the skimmer port until you have the suction you desire. If the pump sound changes, like it's starving or cavitating, stop and open skimmer valve until the sound stops. Make sense?


Does your suction port look like this?


If so, something like THIS. If it's just a manual vacuum attachment, you probably don't need the regulator.

 

[sande005]

When you get the adaptor and are ready to start vacuuming, put the cleaning head and hose, attached to the pole, all the way down to the bottom. Then feed the remaining hose a few feet at a time vertically into the pool. You are just making sure the hose is pretty well filled with water before you connect it up to the port. Too much air in the hose can make your pump loose suction - and it may or may not clear itself out, depending on the overall configuration of the plumbing. Not a big deal, but a pain to have to monkey with that, also. There are videos out there showing people filling their hoses by putting the free end over a return jet, and letting it blow water all the way through the hose (in the pool) to get the air out - but I've never been able to master that skill.

And you should run your pump at full speed, better to increase the suction at the cleaning head. With lower speeds, you may see the head kick up some dirt that doesn't get sucked in, meaning you just get to vacuum again later as it settles.

 

[CoolArrow]

For vacuuming, I would close the main drain valve and attach the vacuum hose and attachment to the sidewall port. Open the vacuum port completely. Then, begin closing the skimmer port until you have the suction you desire. If the pump sound changes, like it's starving or cavitating, stop and open skimmer valve until the sound stops. Make sense?


Does your suction port look like this?
View attachment 585701

If so, something like THIS. If it's just a manual vacuum attachment, you probably don't need the regulator.

View attachment 585702

Makes sense for sure. The port looks like the first picture with a spring loaded door on it.

When you get the adaptor and are ready to start vacuuming, put the cleaning head and hose, attached to the pole, all the way down to the bottom. Then feed the remaining hose a few feet at a time vertically into the pool. You are just making sure the hose is pretty well filled with water before you connect it up to the port. Too much air in the hose can make your pump loose suction - and it may or may not clear itself out, depending on the overall configuration of the plumbing. Not a big deal, but a pain to have to monkey with that, also. There are videos out there showing people filling their hoses by putting the free end over a return jet, and letting it blow water all the way through the hose (in the pool) to get the air out - but I've never been able to master that skill.

And you should run your pump at full speed, better to increase the suction at the cleaning head. With lower speeds, you may see the head kick up some dirt that doesn't get sucked in, meaning you just get to vacuum again later as it settles.

Thanks for the tip on filling the vacuum hose with water I wouldn't have thought to do that. Run pump at full speed got it...