Suction Air Leak Cause Filter Bleed Off Issue

[Poconos]

Even though the equipment is above the water level there should be no air leaking in when the pump is off. It's a closed system. Therefore no need for a check valve. Sometimes a check valve is used between a heater and inline chlorinator to prevent concentrated chlorine from backing up to the heater core when the pump is off but this has nothing to do with air getting in. You say you don't see a 'lot' of bubbles in the pump basket chamber but remember that even a few will add up to a significant amount of air in the system over many hours of running. I agree with Ted, sounds like a small suction side leak somewhere.
Al
Nothing changed...testing the edit function.