Pump suction issue?

[Mattikuss]

Hi Friends,

We’re getting ready to close and not using our pool so I reduced the pump to 2150 RPM which, according to my intelliflo app, is 26 GPM. Everything I read from heater flow, to SWG flow, to pool turnover tells me that this should be plenty of flow to ensure my pool is healthy from a flow standpoint. However, at 2150 (26 GPM) my pump basket has a bunch of air in it, and my skimmer baskets float a little bit over their housing. It just doesn’t seem to be enough flow which surprises me. When I turn the pump to 2550 rpm (45 GPM) the issue resolves but I’m using 850 watts at this rate. What could be going on here? Could the filters need cleaning? See pictures (the pump basket is hard to see but the water is just below the top of the removable pump basket filter).

 

[ajw22]

Air bubble in the pump basket is normal with a VS pump at lower speeds.

Put a rock in the skimmer basket to keep it from floating. The rock should be larger then your pipes below the basket so it cannot fall in.

Install a Heater Bypass - Further Reading on your MasterTemp heater. My heater bypass gives me the same flow at about 400 RPM less and less watts.

 

[reggiehammond]

Hi Friends,

We’re getting ready to close and not using our pool so I reduced the pump to 2150 RPM which, according to my intelliflo app, is 26 GPM. Everything I read from heater flow, to SWG flow, to pool turnover tells me that this should be plenty of flow to ensure my pool is healthy from a flow standpoint. However, at 2150 (26 GPM) my pump basket has a bunch of air in it, and my skimmer baskets float a little bit over their housing. It just doesn’t seem to be enough flow which surprises me. When I turn the pump to 2550 rpm (45 GPM) the issue resolves but I’m using 850 watts at this rate. What could be going on here? Could the filters need cleaning? See pictures (the pump basket is hard to see but the water is just below the top of the removable pump basket filter).

What is clean filter baseline? Last time it was cleaned?

Regarding turnover, that's an industry myth. Your pool will be functionally exactly the same running the least amount of RPMs necessary to keep the flow switches of your system active. With a clean filter, we recommend finding the lowest RPM necessary to keep flow switch active, then add 150-200rpm to account for filter flow reduction as it gets dirty.

 

[Mattikuss]

Air bubble in the pump basket is normal with a VS pump at lower speeds.

Put a rock in the skimmer basket to keep it from floating. The rock should be larger then your pipes below the basket so it cannot fall in.

Install a Heater Bypass - Further Reading on your MasterTemp heater. My heater bypass gives me the same flow at about 400 RPM less and less watts.

Okay, so you don’t seem to concerned. That makes me feel better.