Pool Newbie Dumb Questions

[Poconos]

No such thing as a dumb question...only when people refuse to listen to advice. The donut things are probably just silicone seal that peeled off something as you suspect. I wouldn't worry about it unless something starts leaking. Coincidentally...is the system plumbed with 1.5" PVC? Enjoy the pool.
Al

[gpshemi]

Are they completlely round and fairly thick?
They also make a donut that goes on pool hoses too for pool cleaners to make them float (sink) right. You don't have some of those kicking around for some strange reason right?

gpshemi

[matt4x4]

If the donut thingies look machine made (perfectly rounded) I wouldn't know what they may be, however, if they are uneven, they are likely because someone smeared silicone on all the joints before pushing the hoses or pipe on and clamping it, this will form a ring inside the orifice where the excess silicone was pushed back by the hose, this ring only grabs the remaining silicone by a thin edge and the force of the water will grab it, rip off the remaining bond and push it out or into the sand filter or pool depending on which pipe it was in to begin with.
Nothing to worry about, just throw it out.

[mamaguff]

Yes - it sounds like the donut thingies are the smeared silicone! They are definitely not perfect or machine made. Thanks for the piece of mind!

Thanks!