How do I keep leaves out of my pump and filter?
Question:Someone gave me a 5000 gallon pool but it had some things missing. There is no type of strainer over where the water is pulled into the pump and it pulls leaves in and then the pump shuts down. I bought an aquabug to clean the bottom of the pool and it did not come with any type of strainer either. It just plugs straight in to the side of the pool and goes straight to the pump as well. HELP!!
Answers:
Here is an Ebay link to an inline leaf catcher that I have and it works great!! This is much cheaper thatn in the store, but it might give you an idea as to what to look for.
http://cgi.ebay.com/inline-leaf-debris-c...
Put a wire meshing around it.
I would go to your local "pool store" and have them help you out.
Get rid of your trees.
You need a strainer basket that sits in the area where the water goes to recirculate. There should also be a filter before the pump with a clear lid so you can see when it is full.
Add a strainer before the pump. You can buy the strainer from Canadian Tire and fit it on with wire straps.
I don't know what kind of pump system came with your pool but this is a general answer.
Generally pool skimmers (the intakes that the water flows into before it reaches the pump) have some sort of filter basket to trap debris before it reaches the pump. Look in your skimmer(s) and see if there is a basket there. Keep it clean by frequently checking it and dumping out the debris.
Your pool filter can handle a small amount of leaves with its intake filters but if you have a lot of leaves in your pool then don't just vacuum them up directly into the intake. Pick up as much as you can with a net and just dump them somewhere. For the rest they make pool vacuums that you can attach a hose to, that pushes the leaves up into a mesh bag.
The pool pump should have a plastic basket that sits inside between the inlet of the pump and the motor. If there is no basket you need to get one. The leaves going thru the pump will eventially ruin the motor. If your pool has a skimmer box, usually on the side ot the pool where the water is drawn into to the pump. Baskets are also made to fit in those to prevent leaves from getting to the pump. The aquabug should not come with a strainer, the basket in the pump is what should catch the leaves when cleaning. I would call a local pool suply company and give them the model of your pump and they should be able to get you a new basket. Remember when you do get a basket to clean it out after you use the aquabug.
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