Getting ready to put up the pool and will be bought a Fibropool 120 heater. I have looked at lots of posts and videos about plumbing with PVC but still not confident. I understand the loop will be pool > pump > filter > heater > pool. A lot of setups show valves to bypass the heater. Why would I want to do that if the heater turns off and on as needed to keep the water temp constant? Why would I want valves in other spots along the loop? Is it just for being able to isolate areas for repairs?
Help re plumbing Intex 15'
- Thread starter SWWash DIY Nana
- Start date
I just installed that same heater to my Intex 18' XTR pool. I am lazy and cheap and had no interest in building bypass valves, etc. I think if you had a chlorinator in the mix, you'd want to make sure you are isolating that because you don't want super-chlorinated water going through the heater. I don't have one so I skipped all that stuff. The Fibropool FH120 came with a couple of nice PVC unions ... higher quality than I had expected. I used those unions and just connected a very short 1.5" pvc pipe to a 1.5" to male thread. I then added a 2" to 1.5" bushing which allowed me to use the standard Intex pool hoses (my Intex pool came with the 1.5" hoses).
1.5" PVC to MIP
2" to 1.5" PVC Reducer bushing
I found some 1.5" ID gaskets at the hardware store but had to double up on them to get the standard Intex Hose to work. I plan to replace them with the standard intex sized gaskets/o rings. Waiting for them to arrive from Amazon
Edited to link to the correct 1.5" MIP Socket fitting
1.5" PVC to MIP
2" to 1.5" PVC Reducer bushing
I found some 1.5" ID gaskets at the hardware store but had to double up on them to get the standard Intex Hose to work. I plan to replace them with the standard intex sized gaskets/o rings. Waiting for them to arrive from Amazon
Amazon.com : NipponAsia Repair Set Replacement for Intex Sand Filter Pumps，Air Release Valve and O-Rings : Patio, Lawn & Garden
Amazon.com : NipponAsia Repair Set Replacement for Intex Sand Filter Pumps，Air Release Valve and O-Rings : Patio, Lawn & Garden
www.amazon.com
Edited to link to the correct 1.5" MIP Socket fitting
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Thank you for your comments Ed. I thought it needed to be Schedule 40 pvc. Is that not necessary with a system this small?
Yes. Otherwise if the heater isn't working and needs to be replaced or repaired the water can't be filtered for as long as the heater is out.
Pretty much all white colored pvc fittings and pipe are Schedule 40. Some pool union fittings look and feel like really cheap plastic but the Fibropool unions are surprisingly heavy duty. All of my PVC fittings are Schedule 40 but I am only using about 1' of Sched 40 1.5" PVC pipe just to get the fittings to tie into my standard Intex hoses. I just added those fittings and bought one extra Intex hose to go from the heater to the pool inlet. Since I am using the flex hoses, I won't have a major pool issue if the heater breaks down. I just unscrew the intex hose going into the heater (from the sand filter) and connect it directly to the pool inlet. Again, I'm lazy and it's an above ground pool that I have to take down every fall (I'm in Minnesota). The intex hoses make it super easy to assemble in the late spring and disassemble at end of summer.
I’m sorry, I have to disagree with you there. I’ve seen plenty of white PVC that is not Schedule 40.
Apologies. I went out to the pool to check. This is the fitting I bought in-store at Menards ...
SWWash...PVC plumbing your pool and equipment is not as mysterious as it sounds. The best advice I can give you is to ask lots of questions, plan well, work carefully and take your time. If you draw up a simple diagram and post it, TFP members will give you the advice you need.