Glad to hear it cleared up! Good work!
As for the time, just make sure the timer is rated for the size of the pump. There's a fairly large draw in the instant a pump starts, so you want to make sure it will handle that load. All I've ever seen here besides the high end controllers are Intermatic timers (I have the copycat equivalent).
Each piping layout is going to be a bit different, but as you alluded to, I would definitely install unions and ball valves when you put it all back together. It makes maintenance in the future so much easier.
As for the time, just make sure the timer is rated for the size of the pump. There's a fairly large draw in the instant a pump starts, so you want to make sure it will handle that load. All I've ever seen here besides the high end controllers are Intermatic timers (I have the copycat equivalent).
Each piping layout is going to be a bit different, but as you alluded to, I would definitely install unions and ball valves when you put it all back together. It makes maintenance in the future so much easier.
