Re: Intex Ultra Frame Pool Hard Plumbing
Labmom56, I have had reasonable success using the rubber plumbing connectors designed to connect PVC plumbing together that I got from Lowes to connect the threaded big Intex return and inlet pieces. I believe I used 1 1/2 inch or two inch ones with the two clamps that came with the rubber connector. I coated the threads with regular RTV and clamped the crap out of them and they still leaked a bit. Remember the Intex pools flex alot, that's why hard plumbing really won't work well with these types of pools.
I used that big 2500gph filter pump on an 8 foot small pool and i was worried that I wouldn't get a good "effect" on the new 10 foot metal frame Intex I just got set up a couple of weeks ago, but with a clean filter it moves the water more than good enough for my 10 foot and I am reasonably sure it would be acceptable for your 16 foot. However that is with the cartridge filter not the sand filter. Don't you dare think I have not "eyed" the sand filter.....I so much want to ditch my cartridge for something much less expensive to use (like sand), but wonder if there is a big reduction in water movement with the sand setup.
If you go with the bigger pump filter setup, the only way I could see to reduce the intake suction hazard would be to plumb two or perhaps three intakes. Using basic Y plastic plumbing parts and the big Intex hoses you can screw onto regular 2" threaded PVC plumbing stuff but you willl need to cut 1/4 inch rubber gaskets to go between the screw in hose and the threads in the PVC plumbing parts, a litte RTV goes a long way too. You can get a leak free connection. Been there done that. IF you want I can post a picture...give me a day or so to do so.
Bob E.
Intex 10' x 30" metal frame pool, Intex 2500 gph filter/pump, Intex Saltwater generator, SwimMax 11KW heater, 2 x Small Game Solar Domes.
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