Replaced Pump and Now Spa is not Bubbling

[J0hnny]

My forty year old in-ground spa / pool has not been bubbling, since I replaced my pump with a Pentair Variable Speed. What RPM should I be running it with a two inch air pipe and no blower?

Thanks!

 

[PoolStored]

My forty year old in-ground spa / pool has not been bubbling, since I replaced my pump with a Pentair Variable Speed. What RPM should I be running it with a two inch air pipe and no blower?

Thanks!

Hey! Welcome to TFP!!!

What was your old pump? Was it just a direct replacement of the old pump, or did you reconfigure? Was any other equipment removed or replaced?

Can you post a picture of your equipment?

Also help if you fill out your signature...

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www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Jimrahbe]

Johnny,

I suspect that without a blower you are going to have to run at about 3K or higher.

Your old pump ran at 3450 RPM.

What speed are you trying to run the spa now???

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[J0hnny]

It was a direct replacement... I think it was a Hayward 1/2 horse single speed. I have a Pentair newer heater and new Pentair cartridge filter. The spa is raised about three feet from the pool and spills into the pool. I have been running the variable at 2,500 RPM which heats it up just fine.

I didn't realize that the single speed ran so fast. No wonder I am saving money with the variable.

Should I just keep on upping the speed until there is bubbles? Is there a speed that is too high for the plumbing?

Thanks again!

 

[Jimrahbe]

Johnny,

Spas without blowers usually have knobs around or near the spa that allow air to be sucked into the water stream entering the spa.

The knobs allow you to adjust the air and therefore the number of bubbles being produced.

Does your spa have these knobs or adjustments? If so, you may be able to adjust them to provide more bubbles at a low RPM.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[J0hnny]

I don't see an obvious adjustment... Here are two pictures of the valves

 

[PoolStored]

I don't see an obvious adjustment... Here are two pictures of the valves

Those control where the water goes.

Air valves would likely be around the spa itself and look like these:

spa air valves - Google Search