Bestway steel frame pool pvc pipe conversion questions

Jul 10, 2016
24
sacramento
Hi,

we bought the pool from costco last spring, but now I want to convert to pvc and move the pump/sand filter away from the pool. I've read a lot of topics about intex conversions mostly, watched some youtube, etc but my pool doesn't have the same assembly. There are two hoses connected with clamps to both inlets. 1" pvc elbow seems to be a very close size but it's a little loose. I'm looking for suggestions (preferably from experience:) on how to connect 1" pvc to the inlets. Thanks!
 

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If you want to keep your pool fittings then you will have to convert them to pipe sizes such as 1 1/2". Many people (Myself Included) have changed to standard pool equipment and replaced all the fittings (Purchasing a Hayward Skimmer which comes with a return fitting). You will like using a skimmer, but you will have to cut your liner to install, not hard to do though (Can give you allot of advice on that or search on threads for installing skimmer into an intex pool). Looking at your pictures, your pump and filter looks good, which means replacing with a standard pool pump with pipe sizes is not necessary which means you will have to convert them to pipe thread (This is where you will have to find an adaptor or create one, need to know what size the threads are or does the pump use hose clamps?) The two inlet hoses can be clamped off or used for other purposes such as a fountain or vacuum.
 
I'm ok with how the system works for now. My skimmer is functional and I cover my pool. What I want to do is to change my hoses to pvc and move my pump/filter away from the pool. I also have a solar water heater with it, so I want to connect it parallel to the main line with partial diversion. I tried to connect it in line and it doubles the pressure. I like the idea from this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4yHt64FDNI but I don't want it on roof but rather like this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0o0DXVZ3GA My hoses are 1.25" so I was thinking maybe 1" or 1.25" for the pvc (1.5" looks too bulky for my yard and it's not necessary for my setup). What kind of adapters do I need to connect my inlets to pvc (as I mentioned before 1" pvc is almost a perfect fit with a little bit of wiggle room)? Amazon has plunger valves that I don't really like the look of, and game conversion kit that has mixed reviews. Also, what is the best way to connect my pump/filter and solar heater? a picture of my pump IMG_2026.jpg Any help is appreciated as I'm completely new to this.
 
Looking at your picture, I see a clamp that maybe useful. The reason for converting to 1 1/2" is that is the standard for pool plumbing, if you are not going to do or anticipate any changes to your current setup then 1 1/4" is fine. Need to determine what thread size that is on the pump. Once you know the thread size, you can figure out how to make the connections. Intex is 40MM. I have used the GAME adaptors before going to all Hayward circulation system. The adaptors that I used (40mm to 1 1/2" male to male) worked great.

- - - Updated - - -

I found this post while searching for you ... The post was from 2015

Re: Intex & Bestway /FlowClear pump hose interchangeable?
Yes they are interchangeable.
I have a Coleman 16'x48"(made by Bestway) that came with the 1500gph catridge pump and swapped it out for an Intex 2800gph sand filter.
I didn't even change the hoses attached to the pool.
I now have spares to play around with.




If they are interchangeable, then they would be 40mm size.
 
I also did some research on the internet on adaptors, and the adaptors description says Intex / Bestway adaptor which means they are 40mm. JeffChap who is a member on here has changed his plumbing to 1 1/2" PVC by using double gaskets he purchased at a home improvement store. You can search and see if that will work for you, although that would be 1 1/2" not 1 1/4"


When I first installed my current pool (click the link in my signature), I used the intex flex hoses and adapted them with the GAME adaptors to 1 1/2" PVC pipe, at the time I wanted to keep the flex hose because the pool moves allot, I have since changed my opinion and I am fully hard plumbed. I have photos of my setup which would allow to move your filter / pump and solar heater away from your pool and still use your small pieces of flex hose and then adapt to PVC. The adaptors worked with NO issues. The thread tape that comes with the adaptor IMO was not good quality so I went to Lowes and got the best thread tape in the plumbing section (Cost was under 5.00), then I wrapped more tape on the adaptor then I normally would do with galvanized pipe. It was super easy and I had no leaks. I changed to fully hard plumbed this year.

The second page will have the photo's for you of the adaptors. Keep in mind my filter is a Hayward with 1 1/2" pipe threads (White PVC elbow coming out of the top of the filter), so the GAME adaptor screwed into that and then the intex hoses into the GAME adaptor. The GAME adaptors come 2 to a pack. You will see another picture of the second GAME adaptor that I used going from the Intex Hose (40MM) to 1 1/2" PVC pipe. That is the setup you could use. You would keep your existing hose and then place the adaptors on the hose end and run 1 1/2" PVC Pipe.

The other way would be to use JeffChap's method of double gaskets ...
 
Thanks for your replies. A few questions:
1. I coudn't find JeffChap's method of double gaskets - I could only find a few mentions of it. Is it possible to get a link?
2. How did you hard plumb your inlets? Which adapters did you use? I don't want to keep the hoses around the pool. I've decided to go with 1.5" pvc for most of it.
In the mean time, stopped by HomeDepot and Lowes and put together these for the heater splitter (got the ideas from this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFcuDkqsntA )- any suggestions before i glue it?
Thanks.
 

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Dry fitted the diverter system tonight, then tested it next to the pool with the existing hoses and some rubber adapters. Seems to work fine even without gluing, only small drips from lowes 1/2" adapters http://www.lowes.com/pd/Genova-1-2-in-Dia-Insert-Male-Adapter/3455126 I hope plumbing tape will help. Then I can glue it together, hard plumb everything else, and move the pump away from the pool. Here's the link to the pic, insert image function doesn't work with one drive:
https://1drv.ms/i/s!AoHTqAiQy6Tpc1l6aZ3iv9luyx4
https://1drv.ms/i/s!AoHTqAiQy6Tpd2vczDzYZSC6Wuw
https://1drv.ms/i/s!AoHTqAiQy6TpeGaD5bItaZ4UeIE
 
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