SWG & Booster Pump Plumbing Dilemma

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pool_novice

pool_novice

Member
Jun 3, 2024
22
North Texas
Pool Size
10000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
I am exploring the idea of installing a SWG, which seemed like it would be easy until I realized that some digging may be required. I have a nice long stretch of return line where a salt cell could be added, but the problem is that it seems like the T connection for my booster pump seems to have been made after that stretch - somewhere underground.

Questions:
  1. Why would they have put the booster inlet T underground ? Most setups I see pictures of have an above-ground line running to the booster pump.
  2. Any guesses as to how far down the booster T is likely to be? I dug about 7 inches down and it's nowhere in sight.
There is an old SWG controller still on the fence which tells me that this pool had a salt cell installed at some point. I'm not sure how they would've done that with the booster presumably downstream, but I guess the booster could have been added after the SWG was removed (seems unlikely though).

I have included a few pictures for reference. Note that this pool was installed c. 1998 and I'm the 6th owner so I have no idea how or why certain things were done. :)

We are planning for a full remodel including pouring a new equipment pad and re-doing some of the plumbing, but that probably won't happen until after this season at the earliest. I hoped to put in a SWG for this summer but if extensive digging is required then I'll just wait.
 

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The booster pump should go to a "return" in the side of the pool that the pool vacuum plugs into. It's separate from the normal filter returns so it's not a concern. Add your pool and equipment details to your signature then we all know what you have.
 
TinFoilHat said:
The booster pump should go to a "return" in the side of the pool that the pool vacuum plugs into. It's separate from the normal filter returns so it's not a concern. Add your pool and equipment details to your signature then we all know what you have.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I think I added my details, hopefully to the right place.

The booster does feed to its own smaller return in the pool that the Polaris 280 plugs into. But the booster pump always has some water flowing through it when the main pump is running (even when the booster itself is off). It was my understanding that the booster pump is usually fed from a T off the main return lines.

I have read that putting a SWG upstream of other equipment like a booster pump or heater would wear out the downstream equipment more quickly.
 
TinFoilHat said:
The cell needs to be the last thing before the pool but, for example, mine is before my in-floor cleaning control head. You want it after things like a heater or a chiller, after the filter of course, etc.
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Yep. But it seems that the booster pump supply T off my main return might be underground. I was hoping somebody here might have an idea why that was done or how far down it might be. Or are you saying it’s not a problem to send the super chlorinated water through the booster and Polaris cleaner?
 
pool_novice said:
Yep. But it seems that the booster pump supply T off my main return might be underground. I was hoping somebody here might have an idea why that was done or how far down it might be.
Click to expand...
There is no guessing what crazy plumbers do.

Dig down with a spade and you should find it.
 
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