1 1/2 pool vacuum hose is barely too small for skimmer

[phillman5]

Sorry in advance for these rambling questions. I had been using a sectional vacuum hose that came with a Zodiac G3 pool cleaner to just manually vacuum, but the manual vacuum head kept sticking to the pool bottom (I tried adjusting the wheel heights but couldn't unscrew a couple of the screws so put them all back at original height). I bought a Pentair manual vacuum head with the 1-1/2" adaptor, but it was too large for the sectional hose, I was told I needed a standard 1 1/2" vacuum hose, so I bought one. I can get this new hose to 'kind of' fit the new manual vacuum head (not using the 1 1/2" adaptor, inserting the hose end where the adapter would fit). But I can't get the 1 1/2 hose end to fit the skimmer, its barely too small to make a tight snug seal, it inserts then the end hits the 'pipe?', that's about 1 1/4 inch down, keeping it from inserting any further (see 2nd photo). It seems to me that the 1 1/2 hose end is not very pliable and wouldn't make a good seal even if the right size, I looked at two different hoses. I just did some measurements, the hole in the skimmer is slightly larger than 1.77", the end of 1 1/2" hose is 1.71" to 1.72" OD. So what do I need from you guys and gals. What do I need to do/get to get this hose end to fit my skimmer with a good seal? Is the outside diameter tapered, so I need to cut off 3/4" off the end so I can fit it in further and hope that does it (I don't believe it will according to my latest measurements (see above) its not tapered. Anyone know the exact diameters of the common skimmer holes, this one is slightly larger that 1.77" (I have no way of accurately directly measuring it, only tried something smaller and measured that with calipers)? Anyone else experience this with an older pool (mine built mid 70's)? Am I wrong that this should be a water tight seal so I can vacuum while the pool water level is beneath the bottom of the skimmer inlet, then this vacuum leak would suck up all the water in the skimmer, then suck air; I vacuum directly to waste during the spring opening causing the pool level to go beneath the skimmer inlet. Any thinking outside the box? I am sure there will be questions so ask away.

Thank you in advance for any help.

Caption: a) whole skimmer and debris basket to let you know the kind of skimmer I have, and b) a close-up of the hole in the bottom of the skimmer showing pipe that comes up that interferes with hose fitting much more that an 1 1/4 inch into hole.

 

[1poolman1]

Sorry in advance for these rambling questions. I had been using a sectional vacuum hose that came with a Zodiac G3 pool cleaner to just manually vacuum, but the manual vacuum head kept sticking to the pool bottom (I tried adjusting the wheel heights but couldn't unscrew a couple of the screws so put them all back at original height). I bought a Pentair manual vacuum head with the 1-1/2" adaptor, but it was too large for the sectional hose, I was told I needed a standard 1 1/2" vacuum hose, so I bought one. I can get this new hose to 'kind of' fit the new manual vacuum head (not using the 1 1/2" adaptor, inserting the hose end where the adapter would fit). But I can't get the 1 1/2 hose end to fit the skimmer, its barely too small to make a tight snug seal, it inserts then the end hits the 'pipe?', that's about 1 1/4 inch down, keeping it from inserting any further (see 2nd photo). It seems to me that the 1 1/2 hose end is not very pliable and wouldn't make a good seal even if the right size, I looked at two different hoses. I just did some measurements, the hole in the skimmer is slightly larger than 1.77", the end of 1 1/2" hose is 1.71" to 1.72" OD. So what do I need from you guys and gals. What do I need to do/get to get this hose end to fit my skimmer with a good seal? Is the outside diameter tapered, so I need to cut off 3/4" off the end so I can fit it in further and hope that does it (I don't believe it will according to my latest measurements (see above) its not tapered. Anyone know the exact diameters of the common skimmer holes, this one is slightly larger that 1.77" (I have no way of accurately directly measuring it, only tried something smaller and measured that with calipers)? Anyone else experience this with an older pool (mine built mid 70's)? Am I wrong that this should be a water tight seal so I can vacuum while the pool water level is beneath the bottom of the skimmer inlet, then this vacuum leak would suck up all the water in the skimmer, then suck air; I vacuum directly to waste during the spring opening causing the pool level to go beneath the skimmer inlet. Any thinking outside the box? I am sure there will be questions so ask away.

Thank you in advance for any help.

Caption: a) whole skimmer and debris basket to let you know the kind of skimmer I have, and b) a close-up of the hole in the bottom of the skimmer showing pipe that comes up that interferes with hose fitting much more that an 1 1/4 inch into hole.

View attachment 594045
View attachment 594046

If you have good suction from the pump it doesn't need a tight "seal" to vacuum. What you do need to do is get those tablets out of the skimmer and into a floating chlorinator.
In the pool-service industry there are two types of people that love to see tablets in the skimmer, those that replace skimmers and those that replace pumps.

 

[phillman5]

If you have good suction from the pump it doesn't need a tight "seal" to vacuum. What you do need to do is get those tablets out of the skimmer and into a floating chlorinator.
In the pool-service industry there are two types of people that love to see tablets in the skimmer, those that replace skimmers and those that replace pumps.

Thanks for the reply 1poolman1,
However if I vacuum to waste, and the pool water level goes below the skimmer inlet, that not tight seal will suck up all the water in the skimmer body, then start sucking air. I usually vacuum to waste in the spring to vacuum the pool after a whole winter worth of dirt has gotten under the Meyco cover and replace a bit of water.
The company that just replastered the pool recommended putting the tablets in the skimmer, saying the floating chlorinator cause chlorine columns after sitting one place and discolor the plaster. But I guess they do replace skimmers and pumps, my skimmer is from mid 70's. Pool store also recommended using the skimmer, especially the blue unstablized tablets (which I am not using). Though I tend to agree with you. The floaties tend to move around and not stick to one place.

 

[1poolman1]

Thanks for the reply 1poolman1,
However if I vacuum to waste, and the pool water level goes below the skimmer inlet, that not tight seal will suck up all the water in the skimmer body, then start sucking air. I usually vacuum to waste in the spring to vacuum the pool after a whole winter worth of dirt has gotten under the Meyco cover and replace a bit of water.
The company that just replastered the pool recommended putting the tablets in the skimmer, saying the floating chlorinator cause chlorine columns after sitting one place and discolor the plaster. But I guess they do replace skimmers and pumps, my skimmer is from mid 70's. Pool store also recommended using the skimmer, especially the blue unstablized tablets (which I am not using). Though I tend to agree with you. The floaties tend to move around and not stick to one place.

Yo could try a hose adapter as in the first picture, it looks like that port is 1.5". It may work, but that port doesn't look to be very deep.
Its good to get a long floating chlorinator so it won't get stuck on the steps or a bench. Blue tablets are usually calcium hypochlorite and CAN NOT be mixed with tri-chlor tablets.