I'm located in Southern Illinois.
For years we had an Intex Pool using chlorine. It was costing a fortune for chemicals, testing strips and pump filters. Constantly treating the pool, changing and attempting to wash out the filters to reuse.
Four years ago we purchased a new Intex 18' x 48" ultra frame pool and decided to go with an Intex salt water system (which came with the 1,500 gph filter pump). The filters lasted much longer with the system, but the difference in chemical costs and water clarity made it clear we made the right decision.
This year we decided to purchase an Intex 2500 gph sand filter pump (puts out 2,150 gph) and have discovered an issue I hope someone can give us some advice on.
Here's our set up...
Pool: Intex 18' x 48" Ultra Frame Circular Pool
Pump: Intex Sand Filter Pump 2,150gph (Model SF70110-1)
Hooked into: Intex Saltwater System System (Model ECO7110)
Surface Skimmer: Intex Deluxe Surface Skimmer (It's a bigger shimmer basket than what the pools come with)
*Both Plunger Valves have Air Release Valves on them (came with the pool).
*Sand Filter Pump came with new Inlet Valve (sorry, I'm not really down with pool ligo.. It's where the water shoots back into the pool) and that peice has an additional Air Release Nozzle that when capped shoots a steady powerful stream. When uncapped it add air to the stream like white water.
I followed all instructions on the Sand Filter Pump for start up. I backwashed the pump and rinsed as shown on the DVD that came with it. The pump runs perfectly until I attempt to attach the Intex Deluxe Surface Skimmer hose (not connected to the skimmer) to the inlet hose adapter on the strainer connector inside the pool.
When I attach the Deluxe Surface Skimmer hose the pump basket starts filling with air (*from what I'm told, in pool lingo, that means the pump is "losing prime"). You can see the water filling into the basket and sloshing around (very noisy).
As soon as I disconnect the Deluxe Surface Skimmer hose from the inlet adaptor the pump basket chamber starts to fill back up and returns to normal (the prime returns to normal) The basket is filled with water to the top (and the noise is a nice calm hum)
All hose attachments, fittings, o-rings and gaskets were checked over for tightness, any possible cuts or gouges. Even the surface skimmer hose. It all checks out fine. The Intex Plunger Valve (where the water comes out of the pool makes a noise when the surface skimmer hose was attached to the inlet hose adapter). I checked all the gaskets and rings on the plunger valve and they are all set in nice and look undamaged.
Tonight I am going to unhook the plunger valve and everywhere there are threads I am going to put silicone tape on them, reattach it and connect the surface skimmer.
If that doesn't work..
I am going to attempt to remove the plunger valve out of the equation and hook the hose up directly to the strainer connector then connect the surface skimmer.
I've included the same photos I sent to Intex 3 days ago who still haven't gotten back to me. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.
I have video of the pump basket running with air in it (when surface skimmer hose is attached) & have a video with pump basket running smoothly (when surface skimmer hose is removed). But they may be too big of files to post.
Also, please excuse me for the lack of pool lingo and thank you for allowing me to join.
For years we had an Intex Pool using chlorine. It was costing a fortune for chemicals, testing strips and pump filters. Constantly treating the pool, changing and attempting to wash out the filters to reuse.
Four years ago we purchased a new Intex 18' x 48" ultra frame pool and decided to go with an Intex salt water system (which came with the 1,500 gph filter pump). The filters lasted much longer with the system, but the difference in chemical costs and water clarity made it clear we made the right decision.
This year we decided to purchase an Intex 2500 gph sand filter pump (puts out 2,150 gph) and have discovered an issue I hope someone can give us some advice on.
Here's our set up...
Pool: Intex 18' x 48" Ultra Frame Circular Pool
Pump: Intex Sand Filter Pump 2,150gph (Model SF70110-1)
Hooked into: Intex Saltwater System System (Model ECO7110)
Surface Skimmer: Intex Deluxe Surface Skimmer (It's a bigger shimmer basket than what the pools come with)
*Both Plunger Valves have Air Release Valves on them (came with the pool).
*Sand Filter Pump came with new Inlet Valve (sorry, I'm not really down with pool ligo.. It's where the water shoots back into the pool) and that peice has an additional Air Release Nozzle that when capped shoots a steady powerful stream. When uncapped it add air to the stream like white water.
I followed all instructions on the Sand Filter Pump for start up. I backwashed the pump and rinsed as shown on the DVD that came with it. The pump runs perfectly until I attempt to attach the Intex Deluxe Surface Skimmer hose (not connected to the skimmer) to the inlet hose adapter on the strainer connector inside the pool.
When I attach the Deluxe Surface Skimmer hose the pump basket starts filling with air (*from what I'm told, in pool lingo, that means the pump is "losing prime"). You can see the water filling into the basket and sloshing around (very noisy).
As soon as I disconnect the Deluxe Surface Skimmer hose from the inlet adaptor the pump basket chamber starts to fill back up and returns to normal (the prime returns to normal) The basket is filled with water to the top (and the noise is a nice calm hum)
All hose attachments, fittings, o-rings and gaskets were checked over for tightness, any possible cuts or gouges. Even the surface skimmer hose. It all checks out fine. The Intex Plunger Valve (where the water comes out of the pool makes a noise when the surface skimmer hose was attached to the inlet hose adapter). I checked all the gaskets and rings on the plunger valve and they are all set in nice and look undamaged.
Tonight I am going to unhook the plunger valve and everywhere there are threads I am going to put silicone tape on them, reattach it and connect the surface skimmer.
If that doesn't work..
I am going to attempt to remove the plunger valve out of the equation and hook the hose up directly to the strainer connector then connect the surface skimmer.
I've included the same photos I sent to Intex 3 days ago who still haven't gotten back to me. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.
I have video of the pump basket running with air in it (when surface skimmer hose is attached) & have a video with pump basket running smoothly (when surface skimmer hose is removed). But they may be too big of files to post.
Also, please excuse me for the lack of pool lingo and thank you for allowing me to join.
Thank you for such a great first (and second) post. Already contributing to help others. 
If you don't mind, I'm going to modify the title of your thread for other Intex owners who may search the forum for a similar problem. Thanks for the effort. Nice to have you with us at TFP.