Intex ABG 18'X48" (PVC Plumb in progress)

[Paffendorf]

First time posting on this forum so bare with me.

Ive read countless posts about Intex pools here as this forum is an invaluable source of information. My wife and I have had our pool for just a year so this is the second season for us. I knew last season that I wanted to hard plumb our pool and have followed directions from other posts located elsewhere on this forum.

Although I have not ran the PVC lines (Ill update this post when finished), I did manage - before we filled the pool - to get it ready for PVC plumbing. I work at Home Depot, so getting the materials is easy. Ive already ordered 5 Carlon 1-1/2 in. Non-Metallic Reducer Bushing, Model # E950HGR & SKU #732001 as we didnt have any in stock, the rest of the PVC items Ive already got. Ill put a list up at the end of this post.

Edit as I forgot to explain some things:
Picture #4 you can see the factory original location of the outlet (factory skimmer), I have this capped off and plan on using it for a vacuum and if needed, 2nd outlet. This is viewable in the video from inside the pool. Of course it will have a ball valve as well as the Heritage skimmer to control flow of both.

In picture #8, you can see where I put a 2nd return that will be used in conjunction with the upper return. Both will have thier own ball valve to control return flow and to turn them on or off independantly.

Brief video: http://youtu.be/ah1EmZrOFno

Photos:

List of stuff
Heritage Standard Thru-the-Wall Skimmer
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Standard-Thru-the-Wall-Skimmer/14003685

Intex 56671EG 2,650-Gallon Sand Filter Pump
http://www.amazon.com/Intex-56671EG-650-Gallon-Sand-Filter/dp/B002V1H11W

Intex Krystal Clear Saltwater System
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Intex-Krystal-Clear-Saltwater-System-15-000-Gallon/19336123

LEGEND VALVE 1-1/2 in. PVC Solvent Socket Ball Valve
http://www.homedepot.com/p/LEGEND-VALVE-1-1-2-in-PVC-Solvent-Socket-Ball-Valve-S-601/203581034

Mueller Streamline 1-1/2 in. PVC Schedule 40 90-Degree Slip X Slip Elbow
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Mueller-...-Degree-Slip-X-Slip-Elbow-406-015HC/100044573

Mueller Streamline 1-1/2 in. x 1-1/2 in. PVC Slip x Slip Coupling
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Mueller-...-PVC-Slip-x-Slip-Coupling-429-015HC/100004541

1-1/2 in. x 10 ft. PVC Sch. 40 DWV Plain End Pipe
http://www.homedepot.com/p/1-1-2-in-x-1 ... /100135041

I made the list because I didnt see anywhere on the posts Id read that had the actual parts needed to PVC plumb the pool. I hope this helps others.

 

[CeeElGee]

I considered a grey Heritage skimmer from eBay until I realized I could get a grey Hydro Tools from Amazon and use my Discover Rewards points! Should be here in the morning and cost me only $2.70! Wish me luck with the install.

 

[Paffendorf]

I considered a grey Heritage skimmer from eBay until I realized I could get a grey Hydro Tools from Amazon and use my Discover Rewards points! Should be here in the morning and cost me only $2.70! Wish me luck with the install.

Good luck with your install. Dont be afraid to cut the liner... as I was in the beginning

When I installed the skimmer, I did not cut the butterfly gasket (as most have posted they did). I took the front plate and drew with a fine point sharpie the opening, then cut the liner just above the line to make it a tad bit bigger to accomidate the thickness of the gasket. Fit like a glove.

One tip I would recommend is that for anyone installing a thru-the-wall skimmer, is to make sure there is about 1 foot of water in the pool. This taunts the liner making installation easier and sets the liner in its final resting place. If seen a couple Youtube videos on where people added a TTW skimmer when the pool was empty, then filled it, and the liner had torn.

Again, good luck. TTW skimmers are the way to go with ABG pools. I dont regret installing ours one bit.

 

[hyperionguy]

...I realized I could get a grey Hydro Tools from Amazon...

D'OH! It didn't occur to me to search for a grey one to match the grey ultra frame liner! Mine is white. Oh well.

 

[TCJ4]

Just wondering how did u hook up thr skimmer to the intex hose?
I have same sand filter but i'm having trouble trying to connect the skimmer to the hose

 

[CeeElGee]

I considered a grey Heritage skimmer from eBay until I realized I could get a grey Hydro Tools from Amazon and use my Discover Rewards points! Should be here in the morning and cost me only $2.70! Wish me luck with the install.

When I installed the skimmer, I did not cut the butterfly gasket (as most have posted they did). I took the front plate and drew with a fine point sharpie the opening, then cut the liner just above the line to make it a tad bit bigger to accomidate the thickness of the gasket. Fit like a glove.

My pool is filled and I don't plan to lower it. I found one or two threads here where folks have installed the skimmer without draining and that's what I plan to attempt. I actually want to silicone the gasket on the outside of the pool sandwiched between the liner and the square opening of the skimmer. Just bolt the faceplate inside the pool. Once I have the skimmer plumbed, then cut the liner and re-tighten any screws not already tight. Can't wait. Been hand-skimming for a week or more

 

[CeeElGee]

Just wondering how did u hook up thr skimmer to the intex hose?
I have same sand filter but i'm having trouble trying to connect the skimmer to the hose

If I may, he is using a special adapter (I got one with my SWG a couple years ago) from Intex that goes from a standard hose nipple to the Intex hose fitting. You can find one on eBay or Amazon. Or something like this works too: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... OC:US:3160

 

[TCJ4]

Oww i thought he used the B adapters that comes with the sand filter.

I tried the B adapter on the skimmer and it looks like it will work good

 

[CeeElGee]

Oww i thought he used the B adapters that comes with the sand filter.

I tried the B adapter on the skimmer and it looks like it will work good

Yeah, I think that's what it's called.

http://www.thepoolfactory.com/intex-b-adapter.html

 

[Paffendorf]

Oww i thought he used the B adapters that comes with the sand filter.

I tried the B adapter on the skimmer and it looks like it will work good

Sorry I didnt post earlier, just got home from work.

But I used the adapter that came with the sand filer. In fact, there were several adapters, caps, etc. that came with the sand filter. Although, once I get it PVC plumbed (this weekend) Ill have no need for any of the adapters.

I have bought all the parts I listed, but Im thinking of return them in exchange for 2" parts. Ive read some other posts on here that advised to use 2", so I may do that. Though Im not sure what the advantage/disadvantage would be from 1 1/2 to 2" with having 2 returns. Perhaps I can see 2" on the intake, but its like the straw effect, you can blow through one straw and its difficult, but add more and more, it becomes easier to blow through. I just dont want to take too much pressure off the top return as its needed to circulate the water around to the skimmer.

 

[TCJ4]

I'm also thinking of going with 2" i think it would be easier that way to hard plumb it

 

[Safetybob]

I did 2 inch around my heater because it is made for 2 inch connections. I promise using 1 1/2 inch with ball valves will give you flow you didnt know you had. I am so glad i fully hard plumbed. Oh, flex pvc is yourfriend.

Bob E.

 

[hyperionguy]

I'm also thinking of going with 2" i think it would be easier that way to hard plumb it

Why is it easier? All of the parts needed for 1.5" are available and demonstrated. I haven't seen any reference to parts needed for 2" connectivity.

 

[Safetybob]

I also really haven't seen much about 2" stuff for Intex stuff.....inground, sure....Intex, don't think your doing much there. Pressures and flows are so limited with Intex stuff and 1 1/2 will be more than enough with a hard plumb and ball valves replacing Intex valves. With the venturi type return eye balls, I almost have to much flow.....how about that, an Intex guy worried about to much flow......that's what hard plumbing will do for you.......wonderful flow.

Another reason to keep 1 1/2 is that you can get 1 1/2 flex PVC easily at lowes and home depot. Works wonders isolating movable sidewall components from nonmovable pump plumbing.....

Bob E.

 

[hyperionguy]

Another reason to keep 1 1/2 is that you can get 1 1/2 flex PVC easily at lowes and home depot. Works wonders isolating movable sidewall components from nonmovable pump plumbing.....

Bob E.

OK, I was just checking because I already have a huge bag full of everything I need (minus the straight pipe) to do my whole job. I'm going to do it in a week or two from now. I can't wait.

 

[hyperionguy]

I picked up 1.5" for everything except for the fountain. I picked up a 1.5 to 1" reducer to drop down to smaller fountain piping figuring that'd work better with my 1,600 sand filter. You folks think that was smart or should I stick with 1.5"? The thought being that with X amount of total flow and Y amount of p.s.i. in a smaller fountain pipe = better squirt. Maybe I'm off.