thanks. ok - i did exactly as you said. first of all, the only way I can shut the suctions ide off is plugging the inlet hole at the base of the 'skimmer hole' - I did that, turned the multiport to filter and all the water in the basket rushed out - attempting to go toward the filter. I shut down the pump and all the water gushes back into the basket to the previous level. I tried it all oveer again - this time letting the pump run for a couple minutes, but same thing happens...low flow...and gauge reads about 4 psi...