Three questions from a learning newbie

I have three newbie questions about my pool equipment.

1. I have been running my pump 24/7 the last three days getting my levels where the need to be. In my newbie state everyting seems ok, but have noticed that my pump/skimmer/return line sounds like waves crashing?!? I have noticed that there are bubbles as the filtered water hits the pool, but think/thought it was normal. Is it? Another thing is the motor just chugs along, once again to me it sounds like nothing bad.. but? By the way both pump and sand filter are hayward models, fillter is a big heavy pro model, pump is a Power Flow EX 1 1/2 hp.

2. When pump is off, I have a leak at the pump bowl cover. I had "spooed" the o-ring with the pool grease, but it continues leaking. Do you have to lay the grease on think, or is the o-ring bad? Or am I screwing up? Right no it is not a problem, but hopefully in a few days that poor pump will get a break.

3. Last ?. How much suction does the vacuum put out? Mine will stick on my hand. I am guessing that is enough, I just want to be sure that is the norm.

Thanks for any responses in advance, and morderators I am sorry if I goofed up by asking too many questions in one thread.

nick

Nick,

From your description, I think all of your issues are related. you need to solve that leak at the pump.

Once you do that, you'll stop sucking in air (which is probably causing the air bubbles at your returns and "waves crashing" in your pipes) and your vacuum will pull much better.:)

You may also want to check the pool level is not too low. It can give the same effect as waves crashing, as a vortex builds upin the skimmer, starts sucking in air, and then refills the skimmer with water, repriming the pump. Just a thought.

Pat