Vaccum hook up procedure

[Daddydave]

Noob question.
My pump on this new pool has a basket at pump.
Also the skimmer basket.
Do you leave skimmer basket in when putting vaccum plate in?
I use skimmer socks as well helps with pollen in my area.
Also this pump is pretty good and when I install vaccum piece in skimmer pulls air in.
I have to add or keep water level inch above vaccum 90 piece that goes in skimmer.
When I get air in I lose pump pressure.
To get air out I have to pull lid on pump basket and spill water every where.
Is it bad or hard on pump to get air in it for seconds?
Is there a valve I should have for this purge air out?
Where do I buy a plug for skimmer basket if I don't want water down to pump?
What I have been doing is hooking vaccum parts up while pump is running.
Filling hose and priming with return out of vaccum brush.
Keeping both under water.
Then hook up hose to piece in skimmer.

Sorry for the noob questions. I just don't want to mess up my new pool.
Thank you

 

[Texas Splash]

You have options when vacuuming. Yes, you can use a vacuum plate which will allow you to keep the poolside skimmer in place to help catch debris before it has a chance to get to the pump. Or you can simply omit the vacuum plate and place the vacuum hose directly into the skimmer hole and let all the debris go to the pump pot's strainer basket and filter. It's really up to you. I find that whenever I vacuum there is always more air in the pump pot. I suppose this is due to the fact that those are not air-tight connections during vacuuming, no matter how much we try. But a small drop of the water level in the pump pot shouldn't hurt anything. Just be sure the pump never runs dry. Hope that helps.