Need Advice on Routing Plumbing for SWCG Installation

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edwardhernandez817

Member
Mar 16, 2024
6
Citrus Heights, CA
Pool Size
15000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
Hello everyone,

I'm in the process of upgrading my pool system and need some guidance on installing a new Salt Water Generator (SWCG) and a Zinc Anode. The space I'm working with is quite limited, and I'm trying to figure out the best way to route the plumbing to accommodate both additions.

The equipment I'm installing includes a CircuPool CORE35 Salt Chlorine Generator for the SWG and a Pool Tool 104-D Zinc Anode. My initial thought was to route the tubing upwards and across the two pool pumps, then down and behind the pool timers to save space. However, I'm not entirely sure if this is the most efficient or advisable approach.

I'm fairly new to pool ownership, I'm open to any suggestions or best practices you might have. If there are any specific considerations I should keep in mind for these models or if there's a more effective way to organize the plumbing, I'd greatly appreciate your insight.

Also, if there are any other system upgrades or DIY-friendly pool systems you recommend, I'm all ears. I have some experience with electrical work, having replaced mechanical timers with electrical ones, so I'm comfortable with tasks of that nature.

I'm looking forward to your advice and recommendations to make this installation as smooth and efficient as possible. Thank you in advance for your help!

Best regards,

Ed

Update: Added more photos of my pool system per request

Update2: After some feedback and clarification, I will not be installing an anode as it is not needed. But I would still like advise on best way to route the SWCG. the manufacture recommends about 11inches of piping for installation.

Update3: Just wanted to post an update on the plumbing update for the SWCG I installed. It's working perfectly, I turned the filter, bought new adapters for the filter, and purchased sweeps for the right angles.
 

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Last edited:
Welcome to TFP.
The SWCG needs to be on the plumbing line after the filter. It is hard to see where that goes but is market 5 & 6.
Line 7 is the feed to your booster pump. Ideally put the SWCG after that Tee junction but can not see where the returns go back to the pool.
 
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Show us better pics of from 5 to 7 and into the ground.

What is that light grey thing wrapped around the pipe after 6?

I would not bring the pipe over the pumps and block access tot he pumps when you need to work on the motors.

I think you have lots of room to take a 90 away from the fence coming out of the filter put the SWG there and then pipe back towards 6.
 
edwardhernandez817 said:
Hello everyone,

I'm in the process of upgrading my pool system and need some guidance on installing a new Salt Water Generator (SWG) and a Zinc Anode. The space I'm working with is quite limited, and I'm trying to figure out the best way to route the plumbing to accommodate both additions.

The equipment I'm installing includes a CircuPool CORE35 Salt Chlorine Generator for the SWG and a Pool Tool 104-D Zinc Anode. My initial thought was to route the tubing upwards and across the two pool pumps, then down and behind the pool timers to save space. However, I'm not entirely sure if this is the most efficient or advisable approach.

I'm fairly new to pool ownership, I'm open to any suggestions or best practices you might have. If there are any specific considerations I should keep in mind for these models or if there's a more effective way to organize the plumbing, I'd greatly appreciate your insight.

Also, if there are any other system upgrades or DIY-friendly pool systems you recommend, I'm all ears. I have some experience with electrical work, having replaced mechanical timers with electrical ones, so I'm comfortable with tasks of that nature.

I'm looking forward to your advice and recommendations to make this installation as smooth and efficient as possible. Thank you in advance for your help!

Best regards,

Ed
Click to expand...
While the anode is not really needed, if you want to use one why not try these from Amazon (Pool Tools makes them as well). The replacement zinc for the one you want to plumb in is almost as costly as the device itself. Two for $17.00 is better than one for $75.00
As an added benefit, they act as a weight to keep the skimmer basket in place. You'll also monitor them better as you will empty the basket more often than examine the inline model.
 
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HermanTX said:
Welcome to TFP.
The SWCG needs to be on the plumbing line after the filter. It is hard to see where that goes but is market 5 & 6.
Line 7 is the feed to your booster pump. Ideally put the SWCG after that Tee junction but can not see where the returns go back to the pool.
Click to expand...
Just uploaded more photos of my pool system thanks for feedback
 
ajw22 said:
Show us better pics of from 5 to 7 and into the ground.

What is that light grey thing wrapped around the pipe after 6?

I would not bring the pipe over the pumps and block access tot he pumps when you need to work on the motors.

I think you have lots of room to take a 90 away from the fence coming out of the filter put the SWG there and then pipe back towards 6.
Click to expand...
I uploaded more photos to hopefully give you a better idea of what I have. Not sure about the grey things around the pipe, they've been there for as long as I've had the system.

I was thinking the same thing and you bring up a good point, it make it harder in the future if I need access to the pumps or the timers...
 
1poolman1 said:
While the anode is not really needed, if you want to use one why not try these from Amazon (Pool Tools makes them as well). The replacement zinc for the one you want to plumb in is almost as costly as the device itself. Two for $17.00 is better than one for $75.00
As an added benefit, they act as a weight to keep the skimmer basket in place. You'll also monitor them better as you will empty the basket more often than examine the inline model.
Click to expand...
Thats a great idea! I didn't know they had something like that, it will save me the trouble of adding the inline model. (I've been using a rock in the meantime to hold down the basket)

The reason I was thinking about the anode is because I heard its a must for salt water pools or extending the life of your equipment once you convert it to a salt water pool.
 
edwardhernandez817 said:
The reason I was thinking about the anode is because I heard its a must for salt water pools or extending the life of your equipment once you convert it to a salt water pool.
Click to expand...
It's actual science misapplied to pools. Anodes are for salt water, not pool water. A salt pool is still pool water, considered fresh water by NOAA and others, at 10% the salinity of seawater.
 
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1poolman1 said:
While the anode is not really needed, if you want to use one why not try these from Amazon (Pool Tools makes them as well). The replacement zinc for the one you want to plumb in is almost as costly as the device itself. Two for $17.00 is better than one for $75.00
As an added benefit, they act as a weight to keep the skimmer basket in place. You'll also monitor them better as you will empty the basket more often than examine the inline model.
Click to expand...

An anode needs to be electrically connected to the metals it is protecting. Throwing some zinc pucks into the water does nothing except enrich the manufacturer.

In addition, what in your plumbing do you think a zinc anode would protect? You have no metal in the pool plumbing. It is all PVC and plastics.
 
Last edited:
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mknauss said:
Can you state where that was said? There is no reason for an anode in a pool system.
Click to expand...
When buying the SWCG on amazon, they usually have a recommended section below and that's where I first saw it and started looking into it. I found some reddit post and other blogs mentioning it as a sacrificial anode.

But if its not needed, I'd prefer that and its one less thing to worry about.

reddit post:
https://www.reddit.com/r/pools/comments/13cz1wh/do_i_need_a_zinc_sacrificial_anode_for_a_salt
www.eztestpools.com

What is a Sacrificial Anode for Your Swimming Pool?

A sacrificial anode is a simple device that is easy to install and economical. It works to preserve and protect metal components of a swimming pool’s operating system from salt water corrosion.
www.eztestpools.com www.eztestpools.com
 
edwardhernandez817 said:
I found some reddit post and other blogs mentioning it as a sacrificial anode.
Click to expand...

Reading that Reddit post most folks say it is not needed and there are always the ill informed posters just parrotting what they have read which propagates the old wives tales of which this is one of them.

edwardhernandez817 said:
But if its not needed, ...
Click to expand...

It is not needed. Move on to figure out your SWG install.
 
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@1poolman1 do you know what this light grey plastic thing is wrapped around the pipe?

@edwardhernandez817 is there anything connected to the gray thing? Unscrew it and see what is underneath as you are going to need to remove it for the SWG install.

pool_pump_above_50-jpg.560606
 
Probably descling magnets. There are many brands but they all have a similar clamshell design.
 
ajw22 said:
@1poolman1 do you know what this light grey plastic thing is wrapped around the pipe?

@edwardhernandez817 is there anything connected to the gray thing? Unscrew it and see what is underneath as you are going to need to remove it for the SWG install.

pool_pump_above_50-jpg.560606
Click to expand...
I removed it and there doesn't seem to be anything connected to it. Its a Antho-DOC Magnetic Water Conditioner. I'm not even sure what it does.

I think I see what you're hinting at doing. Attached are 2 more photos.measurement_2_20.jpeggray_thing.jpg
 
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ajw22 said:
@1poolman1 do you know what this light grey plastic thing is wrapped around the pipe?

@edwardhernandez817 is there anything connected to the gray thing? Unscrew it and see what is underneath as you are going to need to remove it for the SWG install.

pool_pump_above_50-jpg.560606
Click to expand...
Aqua-Doc. Magnets, in this case made for Anthony Pools who were so big they could get all their equipment private labeled. No longer made. Like an anode, not needed, but some pool owners are happier with them. I sold a few, but only if asked, and even then tried to get ones to not spend the crazy cost.
Never sold an anode, either, but told ones where to get them if they wanted one. Didn't mind the ones in the skimmer basket as it kept customers from putting rocks that were too small in them to keep the basket from floating. Removing rocks from a suction line was profitable, but not fun.
Early in my business when all these items were available for nothing, or next to it, at trade shows for us to try, I could have gotten them. Don't have either on my pool.
 
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