Skimmer Below Filter Valves

by Mark
(Slidell)

I have installed a pool and it is in the ground about 2 feet. The pump and filter are still at ground level.

Will having the skimmer line going to the filter going up cause any problems with suction? The water line will be near the skimmer line intake.



Hi Mark. The pump of an above ground pool system should be below the water line of the pool. These systems are meant to be gravity fed and when placed above the water level they need to be primed quite often.

It doesn't matter how far below water level, an inch or two is fine. And it should not matter if pipes rise above water level, it's the water in the pool and the top of the pump that matters.

If you do need to place it above water level, and you do have trouble with keeping it primed, you can always switch to an in ground pool pump. The impellers are designed differently and they are made to pump water uphill.