How much sand to use in sand filter?

[hoffmans]

Hey PorkyPete-
Can I ask you a question?
How was it when you went to connect your 1 1/2 black plastic pipe to your inlet and outlets on the solar panels? We tried to do the samething yesterday but that black plastic pipe is so hard it wouldn't crush tight under the clamps where we connected it to the solar inlets/outlets. We are going to have to find something to make it work. Did you have that problem?

Thanks
~Hoffmans

[porkypete]

I ran 2 lengths (35 ft.each) of that 1 1/2" black poly pipe (that comes in 100ft.rolls) at the base of the pool. I pushed in "barbed fittings"(76 cents each) which allowed me to use regular pool hose (and clamps) between the pump (or solar heater, etc.) and black poly pipe.

[Poconos]

A heat gun works well to soften the pipe to let it slip over the barbed connections easier and form a better fit when you tighten the hose clamps. Electric paint strippers are cheap too. I've also used a propane torch but you have to be more careful not to burn the pipe.
Al