Yo, and greetings :)

[stratofall]

Hello from Fremont Michigan.
My name is Ben and I am really glad I found this forum. I have read a lot here already and already have started to implement the basics in a local pool.

So for the past month I have taken over the duties of my fiance's local family pool. Her Grandpa used to take care of it and when he passed no one knew how to take care of the pool properly in her family.
People complained and such that the pool was not in good condition for swimming. Mind you... I am marrying my fiance on September 16 2017. So I decided to step up and take care of the pool.

I was pool store schooled for the last three weeks. And of course, the pool is overgrown with algae and the cya levels were around 260. Mind you others were doing the same to this pool before I started.

After finding this site. I drained the pool several times and refilled to drop the cya. I am now sitting around 50-60. It can still get better but I can finally start to do stuff to the pool. I bought a TF-100 test kit after reading this forum so I could get accurate numbers.

I have no idea the exact gallons or the exact filter or pump. The labels are worn off but the name is still visible. I can make out the 300lbs of sand marking on the sand filter label.

Anyways, this pool was put in sometime in the 70s and the last liner change was 17yrs ago.
The sand in the filter was changed about 5yrs ago.

I believe there is a small leak someplace as I can see some air bubbles shoot out the Jets going into the pool. We seem to lose around 1" per day.

People just want to finish out this year with this pool. So after dropping g cya, I have started a slam and three days in it is finally starting to change.

There isn't much swim time left for us here before the pool will need to be closed. And next year there is already talk of rebuilding the pool since there are issues with this current one and the equipment is so old.
New liner, repack walls, new sand in filter or new filter and pimp etc.

I bought the app to use on my phone to help support the app and this site. So far the information gathered here has helped this new person to pools have a great start after the first couple weeks. And of course ditching the pool shop for advice.

I am sure I will be around to ask questions when they arise.
I just want to say thanks, and hello to all those I am about to meet here.

 

[zea3]

Hi, welcome to TFP! Air usually leaks in at pipe joints, seals on pumps, and too low water level in the skimmer. Is there water completely filling the pump strainer pot? There should not be any air in there at all. First make sure the water level is at least 1/2 to 2/3rds up the skimmer opening. If that is good you can try putting silicone pool lube on the ring of the pump strainer pot. That will help create a good seal and should be part of your regular maintenance. If that doesn't help slowly drizzle water over pipe joints with the pump running. Watch for water to be sucked into the pipe.

 

[stratofall]

I have the pool filled to the top edge of the skimmer. When it goes down it doesn't get low enough to introduce air into the system before I refill it.

I will need the buy some silicone pool lube and try that on the seal of the filter bucket before the pump.
There is some air sloshing around in the filler bucket area.
This weekend I was going to test by shutting off the main deep end intake and see if it still had air and vice versa with the skimmer. If I still get air with both and/or individually. It's mostly to help narrow down if the air is coming from a specific path.

But yes, I will test by pouring water over the joints and paying attention to any sucking noises or if I can see it as well.

Thanks for the advice. I'll start looking when I have a chance this weekend.