New House, Old Pool, Can't get spa suction to work

[DiscipleDavid]

Hello, thanks for all of the help you provide to new people like me. I have a pool/spa combo and on the bottom of my spa are what I assume are two suction drains. However, there are also these red/brown hard as rock scales that are there and I can't get them to break off. Also, it looks like the things at the bottom here twist, I tried a little to no avail, but didn't want to try too hard, just in case its not supposed to turn. I'm at a loss as to why the spa suction isn't working. When I turn the valves to suck and return to spa then the pump stops filling up with water.

 

[Wally oasis]

It looks like some kind of plug in the drain. Can you loosen them and pull them out?

 

[DiscipleDavid]

It looks like some kind of plug in the drain. Can you loosen them and pull them out?

I will try to wiggle them again in the morning. I have never seen anything like it so I didn't want to break it by trying too hard.

 

[DiscipleDavid]

It looks like some kind of plug in the drain. Can you loosen them and pull them out?

Thank you, they were definitely plugs and now the spa has a suction ability! I was also able to break apart the red scales and vacuum much of it up. I checked with two types of strips and with the pool store. I was surprised to see that it wasn't iron, copper, or calcium. I'm at a complete loss. It's mostly clean now though so I'm happy to report things are looking good. I appreciate your confirmation on the plugs.