Pool Newbie Dumb Questions

[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!