Missing CuLator

[LaurenB]

I want to preface this by saying I had Covid and have definitely had some brain fog…

I have a CuLator in each Skimmer basket. When I change the skimmer socks, I take the culator out and sit it to the side, then set it back in. I know I did this on Tuesday, but can’t remember the rest of the week.

Today I went to change them, and culator in one skimmer is gone. It is quite possible I accidentally threw it away. However, I’m choosing to worry ceaselessly that when my back was turned, it slipped in and went down the drain.

There is still suction in that skimmer. The filter pressure is fine. Everything seems completely fine. Also it is not in the pump basket.

Is there any other tests I can do to see if it could somehow be lodged in the pipes? Or just not worry about because everything is functioning as it should?

 

[PoolGate]

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=endoscope&crid=33TEF1T12K079&sprefix=endoscope%2Caps%2C97&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

 

[wireform]

I mean how big is it and what's it used for.

 

[HermanTX]

There is still suction in that skimmer. The filter pressure is fine. Everything seems completely fine. Also it is not in the pump basket.

Is there any other tests I can do to see if it could somehow be lodged in the pipes? Or just not worry about because everything is functioning as it should?

You have 2 skimmers. Can you post a picture of the equipment pad. Can you turn a valve to close one skimmer off and leave other open? So if you can close one and only flow the other and there is good flow then the bag is most likely not in the line.

 

[Lake Placid]

Was it in the cage, or just the bag? If it was in the cage - if it would fit into the skimmer opening it would not make it past the first 90 in the line. You could use an endoscope, or if your plumbing setup allows isolate that skimmer line and use a bladder to blow water back from the pump through that line to see if anything pops out of the skimmer pipe.

 

[LaurenB]

You have 2 skimmers. Can you post a picture of the equipment pad. Can you turn a valve to close one skimmer off and leave other open? So if you can close one and only flow the other and there is good flow then the bag is most likely not in the line.

I can shut off the other skimmer and keep the suspected one open. Should I also shut off the main drains?

 

[LaurenB]

Was it in the cage, or just the bag? If it was in the cage - if it would fit into the skimmer opening it would not make it past the first 90 in the line. You could use an endoscope, or if your plumbing setup allows isolate that skimmer line and use a bladder to blow water back from the pump through that line to see if anything pops out of the skimmer pipe.

It was just the bag.

If everything is functioning fine (going to to the above test), could this wait until closing?

 

[LaurenB]

I mean how big is it and what's it used for.

It’s about a 2” by 4” linen bag filled with squishy beads that absorb iron from the water.

 

[Lake Placid]

It was just the bag.

If everything is functioning fine (going to to the above test), could this wait until closing?

If you’re flowing water in the above test then yes, and it’s likely not in the line anyway.

 

[wireform]

I can shut off the other skimmer and keep the suspected one open. Should I also shut off the main drains?

I'm thinking that's not advantageous as it may travel more due to giving more suction and then if it starts restricting it's further in.... I'm thinking less till you decide how you want to go about it.

 

[HermanTX]

I can shut off the other skimmer and keep the suspected one open. Should I also shut off the main drains?

I would want to know if there is any restriction without having to call out a service technician
I would close off the skimmer in question and the main drain. Turn on pump and see if the "unrestricted" skimmer is supplying sufficient flow to the pump. You can increase the speed of pump if you wish.

If that flow fine, then I would stop the pump, reverse the skimmers such that the one in question is open and the other is closed. Keep the main drain closed. Turn on pump at the same speed you tested the "unrestricted" skimmer. If the suction is the similar, then the bag is most likely not in the pipe. Remember there could be some differences in the skimmers suction because one may be farther from the pump then the other one.

 

[LaurenB]

I would want to know if there is any restriction without having to call out a service technician
I would close off the skimmer in question and the main drain. Turn on pump and see if the "unrestricted" skimmer is supplying sufficient flow to the pump. You can increase the speed of pump if you wish.

If that flow fine, then I would stop the pump, reverse the skimmers such that the one in question is open and the other is closed. Keep the main drain closed. Turn on pump at the same speed you tested the "unrestricted" skimmer. If the suction is the similar, then the bag is most likely not in the pipe. Remember there could be some differences in the skimmers suction because one may be farther from the pump then the other one.

For whatever reason, my options at the pad are to shut off both mains (together), and/or both skimmers, or just the one skimmer in question. I can’t isolate the other skimmer. The diverter valve won’t spin to close off that skimmer in question (go figure).

 

[Lake Placid]

For whatever reason, my options at the pad are to shut off both mains (together), and/or both skimmers, or just the one skimmer in question. I can’t isolate the other skimmer. The diverter valve won’t spin to close off that skimmer in question (go figure).

Post up some pics of your pad.

 

[HermanTX]

For whatever reason, my options at the pad are to shut off both mains (together), and/or both skimmers, or just the one skimmer in question. I can’t isolate the other skimmer. The diverter valve won’t spin to close off that skimmer in question (go figure).

That is why I was asking for photo earlier. Show how the suction side is set up.

 

[PoolGate]

Most valves can be unscrewed, lifted up a bit, and rotated past their stops.

 

[proavia]

Most valves can be unscrewed, lifted up a bit, and rotated past their stops.

But not the preferred option.
Better to remove the top of the diverter valve and position the word "INLET" to the correct port.
Again, the OP needs to post pics of their equipment pad and possibly a close up of the diverter valve in question so we can see what they are working with.

 

[LaurenB]

Apologies for the delay - I appreciate everyone helping.

Here are pics:

First: left is mains, right is both skimmers set to open. Pointing to skimmer of interest.

Second:
Both skimmers off

Third: Deep end skimmer off (not the concern)

(Hopefully these uploaded in order but if not I’m sure you can figure it out).

Thanks!

 

[HermanTX]

Apologies for the delay - I appreciate everyone helping.

Here are pics:

First: left is mains, right is both skimmers set to open. Pointing to skimmer of interest.

Second:
Both skimmers off

Third: Deep end skimmer off (not the concern)

(Hopefully these uploaded in order but if not I’m sure you can figure it out).

Thanks!

Thanks for pictures. So it appears you can CLOSE each of the skimmers independently. When you closed the deep end skimmer, did the other allow proper suction? Did you also CLOSE the main drain with just the single skimmer on suction?

 

[proavia]

Let's look at the valve that goes to the two skimmers first (valve on right in pics).
From the three pics, it appears that this skimmer valve can be set so that "OFF" can be pointed straight up, to the left and to the right. With "OFF" pointed straight up, both skimmers are on. With "OFF" pointed left, both skimmers are off. With "OFF" pointed right, only right skimmer is off. And the "OFF" can not be pointed to the lower skimmer pipe.
The cover (held on by the screws) of that valve needs to be turn 90 degrees clockwise. This will allow either skimmer to be turned off separate from the other skimmer and allow any variation of suction from the skimmers. This will also prevent the valve from shutting off both skimmers - but the valve on the left can (and should be) set to shut off all flow from the skimmer line feeding into it.

We would need to see pics of the valve on the left when set to it's left, right and center settings to determine if it too needs to have the cap removed to reposition it's possible limits and to prevent possibly deadheading the pump.

 

[LaurenB]

Let's look at the valve that goes to the two skimmers first (valve on right in pics).
From the three pics, it appears that this skimmer valve can be set so that "OFF" can be pointed straight up, to the left and to the right. With "OFF" pointed straight up, both skimmers are on. With "OFF" pointed left, both skimmers are off. With "OFF" pointed right, only right skimmer is off. And the "OFF" can not be pointed to the lower skimmer pipe.

This is correct.

I can’t get out there now to take pics of the main drain side to see if I’m able to shut all intake off, but you’re saying I should not be able to? That makes sense. So the options for the main drains side should be
1. Mains open and skimmers open
2. Mains off but skimmers open
3. Mains open but skimmer off

That makes sense. I’ll check as soon as I’m able.