Posted by Janet Christian on September 05, 2006 at 19:50:26:
In Reply to: Killer Pump Baskets - do you have this problem? posted bySteve Katz on September 04, 2006 at 20:23:11:
Pumps can be a real problem during toad mating season. Once they latch onto one another they don't let go for HOURS -- even if they are getting sucked into a pump. They go into the skimmer where they can hang on and be away from predators, but they don't realize that the skimmer intake pipe is a predator of a different color!
Usually fish don't get sucked in -- there may be something else killing the fish, which sink to the bottom and get sucked in through the bottom drain. The suction on a bottom drain isn't strong so most fish can simply swim away from it. It is possible that the reduced intake area you describe is more dangerous for the fish but I'd still bet the fish are either dead or dying when they get sucked in.