New pool owner, trying to hook up vacuum

CitrusNewbie

New member
Apr 13, 2023
1
Florida
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
Hello, I tried installing the zodiac mx6 vacuum through my skimmer. I followed all instructions (except maybe I didn’t shut off my main drain correctly), and there’s no suction making the vacuum spin.

We have one skimmer with two holes. Our pool does not have a side port. We also have one bottom-of-the-pool drain.

I tested by placing my hand on both skimmer holes and the front one (close to the pool) has a little movement, the back has nothing. Google told me the back should be where I install the vacuum attachment. The front hole is also kind of a bumpy texture and I can’t even seal the hose attachment in it if I wanted to.

Our pump has two three-way valves. The handles on them could be completely removed so I’m thinking I may need to unscrew them completely to see how they are aligning, because right now the “OFF” on the handles are both pointing to the right (toward the pool) and that has the highest water flow in the pump bucket. When I turn them, the pump seems to suck more water than it is receiving.

I’m very new to pool care and pool ownership.

Any advice?

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I think you are misunderstanding what each valve does. On the diagram below "D" isn't involved with the vacuum or intake. Only "B" is allowing water from your pool to the pump. Based on what you are saying, that is probably your floor drain. The inputs "A", "B", and "C" are coming from your pool. Usually this is 2 skimmers and a main drain. I can't see all of your pool to determine of you have 2 skimmers. Can you take a look?

valves.png
 
Welcome to TFP! :wave: I'll add a couple pics below in hopes it helps you understand how those 3-way valves operate. Once you understand the valves, go back to the pad and manipulate them so that you have water pulling from one skimmer only. Close the drain while you are vacuuming. If you can't isolate just one skimmer hole with the 3-way valves, you may need to move that diverter cover in the skimmer and cover one hole. By placing all the suction from one skimmer hole if you should give you the suction power you need for the cleaner. Hope that helps.

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full
 
C,

Your pump has three input.. Skimmer, Main Drain and ?????

I assume the Skimmer and Main drain are the two inputs that are directly in front of your pump. I have no idea where the input that is on the far right side goes, do you??

I assume, based upon your above comments, that you currently have the Skimmer shut off and are sucking all the water from the Main Drain. You should turn the valve at the bottom of your pic 180 degrees so that the handle points to the right and then go check and see if you have suction at your skimmer.

Try that and tell us what happens..

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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