Need Guidance: CircuPool Equipment Plumbing

[Musmin2415]

This is a very elementary question, but I'm just hoping someone can point me in the right direction. This is my first time plumbing an above ground pool, and I have the following equipment:

• CircuPool SmartFlo® Variable Speed Pool Pump - 1.5 THP
• CircuPool® CJ-2750 Cartridge Filter
• CircuPool RJ-30 PLUS Salt Chlorine Generator

The manual didn't really give me a lot of guidance, which tells me that this must all be pretty common knowledge to someone that knows what they're doing. However, I went to my local big box hardware store last night with pictures and some of the 2" and 1.5" connections, and the guy literally had no idea what I was talking about and said I'll probably have to go to a pool store for the right hose fittings, etc. I probably just wasn't explaining it correctly. I'm assuming I'll just need a lot of 2" PVC, some unions, ball valves, and PVC primer/cement? As stupid as I sound, I'm really lost at how I'm even supposed to connect the PVC to the filter. I'm sure as soon as I see it, I'll feel like an idiot of how easy it is. Anyway, can anyone point me to some videos, or try to explain what I need? It seems all my equipment is 2", except for my Hayward skimmer and return, which is 1.5", I think. Any help would be appreciated!!

 

[Mdragger88]

It looks like the filter comes with unions (you will just glue your pipe into those) as well as the swg, the unions for the pump are an add on so if you didn’t check that box you will need those - that looks to be 2” threads on the pump. You can use a male adapter then glue a short nipple & add a union there. There are also valves available @ lowes with unions on one side - very convenient. I have one below my skimmer.
You can do all your plumbing in 2” & then just reduce when you get to the skimmer & return.
There’s a pic & video on the swg product page of what it all should look like.

CircuPool RJ-30 PLUS Saltwater Chlorinator | Discount Salt Pool

www.discountsaltpool.com

You want to arrange it in such a way that you can remove each piece of equipment for replacement/repair if necessary & also so that you can winterize/drain the equipment & plumbing. I have some pvc but it’s not buried & I remove it all for the winter. You also want the valves so that you can stop water flow to the pump & clean out the pump basket (so a valve between the skimmer & pump)
as well as stop water flow to the return(s) if necessary.

 

[Musmin2415]

It looks like the filter comes with unions (you will just glue your pipe into those) as well as the swg, the unions for the pump are an add on so if you didn’t check that box you will need those - that looks to be 2” threads on the pump. You can use a male adapter then glue a short nipple & add a union there. There are also valves available @ lowes with unions on one side - very convenient. I have one below my skimmer.
You can do all your plumbing in 2” & then just reduce when you get to the skimmer & return.
There’s a pic & video on the swg product page of what it all should look like.

CircuPool RJ-30 PLUS Saltwater Chlorinator | Discount Salt Pool

www.discountsaltpool.com

You want to arrange it in such a way that you can remove each piece of equipment for replacement/repair if necessary & also so that you can winterize/drain the equipment & plumbing. I have some pvc but it’s not buried & I remove it all for the winter. You also want the valves so that you can stop water flow to the pump & clean out the pump basket (so a valve between the skimmer & pump)
as well as stop water flow to the return(s) if necessary.

That's exactly what I needed. Just the basic info of what I'm looking at to help me get started. To most, it would be second nature as what needs to be done, but not me Thanks again for your time and patience! I'm pretty sure I get it. If I'm understanding correctly -- following the direction of the water -- I would need to expand to 2" PVC from the skimmer > ball valve > pump > filter > SWG flow switch > SWG cell > ball valve > reduce to 1" to the return. And as far as access, all the equipment have threaded unions so I can easily remove them if necessary.

 

[Mdragger88]

You have the flow path correct, water goes into the skimmer pump inlet (where the pump basket is) from the pump outlet to the filter inlet (you want a union in here) the filter outlet flow switch swg returns.
The return may be 1 1/4” or 1 1/2” - I doubt it is 1”. On regular above ground pools the standard size is usually 1 1/2”.
All of my plumbing is 1 1/2” & my flow is fine. Whatever makes it easier to do is wht I would go with. You will need to inspect each fitting & connection for each of your components to determine which would be simplest. My pump for instance has 2” male threads & 1 1/2” female threads at the connections.
Here’s a pic of my current setup showing where my future swg will go and to give you an idea of where I have valves.
It’s not beautiful but it works & i am able to remove it all for the winter. At opening & closing is pretty much the only time I use the valves for the returns but I use the one under the skimmer every time I dump my pump basket. I used to use the return valves to make my pressure side cleaner run slower or faster but now I have a robot so that is no longer a need.