Low Water level what should I do?

[tngu3]

I currently have a case of low water levels. Skimmer is sucking in air and filter isn't full of water and bubbles sporadically comes out of the jets. (Water pressure also fluctuates between 10 and 25 PSI). Since the closing of the pool is coming up in a week or so, what should I do? If i fill it, it would be a waste since I'll just end up emptying it.

Any tips for a new pool owner? Is there any harm is letting it run the way it is?

Thanks

 

[JamesW]

Fill it to normal level.

 

[Catanzaro]

Is there any harm is letting it run the way it is?

I would not run the filter/pump this way. If you have a main drain, you could shut off valve(s) to the skimmer(s) and try this first. If you have steady pressure, then you are fine until closing. If not, you could just bring up a little bit over the bottom of the skimmer so you are not sucking in air.

 

[JamesW]

I wouldn't run on only main drain if there is a hydrostat because the suction could pop the hydrostat and drain the pool.

Water isn't that expensive. Just fill to normal level so that everything works.

 

[tngu3]

ok, i'll fill it to normal levels. Never paid attention to fluid dynamics so.. typically what/how long are we talking about to fill it up a few inches? I know it depends on surface and what not but is there a ballpark? Can I run it overnight?

- - - Updated - - -

yeah, the water is just above the skimmer, so if you look in the skimmer basket, water would flow in like a waterfall and then after a few minutes, would fill up, and then go back again..

 

[tngu3]

one more thing.. If I fill it to normal levels, would the air gap within the filter correct itself?

 

[JamesW]

Fill rate depends on the surface area and the gpm of the hose. For a 10,000 gallon pool, the fill rate is about 1 to 3 inches per hour. For a 30,000 gallon pool, the fill rate is closer to about 1 inch per hour.

The best way to judge is to mark the level or measure from a known reference point and then recheck after an hour to get the fill rate per hour.

Once you fill, the air in the filter should be gone.

 

[Catanzaro]

I wouldn't run on only main drain if there is a hydrostat because the suction could pop the hydrostat and drain the pool.

Good call James! Only thinking of my pool. Totally forgot about the other skimmer/main drain combinations.

 

[tngu3]

THANK YOU everyone...
Filled the pool up last night about 3 inches and everything is great again! YAY!

 

[setsailsoon]

Tn,

It may be a good idea to run the bucket test if your level seems to drop more quickly than normal just to be sure you don't have a leak. Water level dropping because of evaporation is normal and increases significantly when wind speed increases.

I hope this helps.

Chris