Waste -

Yeah, it definitely needs to be removed. I remember during closing that the pool guys didn't have enough of those bottles that screw into the pipe so they used a plug and threw an empty container into the skimmer (the other hole in the bottom of the skimmer has a sliding cover). I bought the above tool and had to modify so I could get a socket onto the end of the tool. I will try today to open the plug although it is really stuck.

Thanks again
John