Hello,
I'm new to the site, but using tips for over a year. I will give a little history for context... I did not open my pool last year so it started a dark green color with major debris (tadpoles and all). I removed the tadpoles and debris that I could see and started to SLAM the pool. The pump was shutting itself off every hour or so. Found out circuit breaker was bad and no longer shuts off automatically. The pump stayed on for about 2 days and turned a light green color, then the water would stop circulating. No suction in the skimmers and the pump basket was about half full with water. I had the pump replaced after being told by company that the pump motor was going out. After the pool would not continue circulating water after about 2 hours- 1 day being on, I decided to change the sand. I was told the sand could cause the pump to circulate properly with old sand. With the new pump and sand, it was taking about 3 minutes to prime because it lost water in the pump basket after being shut off. After stressing about it, I remembered that the pump basket never really filled completely with water and there was 1 big bubble in the basket. Also just so you know, when put in recirculate, it stayed primed with no bubbles. I have also noticed that when moving the multiport valve would cause the water to drain from the pump basket and lose prime. I thought there may have been some debris stuck in the pipes since the skimmers would not suck water to the pump so I inserted a bladder in the basket and one of the skimmers to blow the debris out. Yesterday was the first time, it was fully primed but only for a day, and when I shut the pump off it remained primed (as much as it was primed at that time). It does not stay fully primed for more than a day. From my reading, it sounds like I have an air leak but can't find it anywhere. Check all the pipes before the pump for suction air leak with no luck. Can someone help me figure out what else I may be missing? Can the multiport valve cause an air leak even though it's on the pressure side? Why are the skimmers not suctioning water after a day or so?
I'm new to the site, but using tips for over a year. I will give a little history for context... I did not open my pool last year so it started a dark green color with major debris (tadpoles and all). I removed the tadpoles and debris that I could see and started to SLAM the pool. The pump was shutting itself off every hour or so. Found out circuit breaker was bad and no longer shuts off automatically. The pump stayed on for about 2 days and turned a light green color, then the water would stop circulating. No suction in the skimmers and the pump basket was about half full with water. I had the pump replaced after being told by company that the pump motor was going out. After the pool would not continue circulating water after about 2 hours- 1 day being on, I decided to change the sand. I was told the sand could cause the pump to circulate properly with old sand. With the new pump and sand, it was taking about 3 minutes to prime because it lost water in the pump basket after being shut off. After stressing about it, I remembered that the pump basket never really filled completely with water and there was 1 big bubble in the basket. Also just so you know, when put in recirculate, it stayed primed with no bubbles. I have also noticed that when moving the multiport valve would cause the water to drain from the pump basket and lose prime. I thought there may have been some debris stuck in the pipes since the skimmers would not suck water to the pump so I inserted a bladder in the basket and one of the skimmers to blow the debris out. Yesterday was the first time, it was fully primed but only for a day, and when I shut the pump off it remained primed (as much as it was primed at that time). It does not stay fully primed for more than a day. From my reading, it sounds like I have an air leak but can't find it anywhere. Check all the pipes before the pump for suction air leak with no luck. Can someone help me figure out what else I may be missing? Can the multiport valve cause an air leak even though it's on the pressure side? Why are the skimmers not suctioning water after a day or so?
It sounds as though you certainly have one major problem (algae), and perhaps another issue or two as well. The best thing to do right now is focus on killing the living organisms in that swamp and getting the water clean & clear so it can circulate properly. Much of what you are describing sounds like problems from extremely algae-filled water that is clogging-up your filter and restricting water flow. Changing the sand or adding any pool store chemicals won't do the job, it has to be chlorine (bleach) but in the proper amount. So here's what you need:
