Skimmer Sock Full Causes Air In?

[johndoe74]

I have noticed that if the skimmer sock is full of a layer of dust/particles, the air somehow will get into the system. Has anyone seen this with their system? I would thought that if the skimmer sock is full, it will at most reduce the water flow, I can't see how air can get into it, especially the water level is at least 2" above the skimmer intake.

[bparks]

Mine will do this too, with or without the sock. Anytime there too much stuff in the skimmer it sucks in air from somewhere. My guess is somewhere else in the lines, or maybe the dome on top of my sand filter. It does the same thing if the filter basket in my pump is too full. I don't worry about mine since I'm not losing water, and the air showing up is an easy to spot sign that I need to spend a little time cleaning everything.

[Rangeball]

In the past, mine too.

My theory is that clogs on the suction side really increase suction, which draws air from tiny fitting leaks that previously went un-noticed.

[MarkC]

Do you guys have a main drain as well as skimmers?