Intex pool thru wall skimmer ?

[Piper Mike]

I'm getting my intex 26 footer hard plumbed on Monday and I'm adding a thru wall skimmer. I'm going to be loosing about six to eight inches of water height because of it. Do any of you that have already done this ever regret putting a thru wall skimmer rather then have the extra height? Just wondering. To me the 52 inches it currently is, is just right.
Mike

 

[kimkats]

That is a lot of water to lose Is there no way you can put it in higher? I really don't know as I have not done it.

Kim

 

[domct203]

I'm getting my intex 26 footer hard plumbed on Monday and I'm adding a thru wall skimmer. I'm going to be loosing about six to eight inches of water height because of it. Do any of you that have already done this ever regret putting a thru wall skimmer rather then have the extra height? Just wondering. To me the 52 inches it currently is, is just right.
Mike

No regrets what so ever! (see install link in my signature).

I only lose about 2 to 2-1/2" of water height with mine. Why do you think you'll lose 6-8"?

 

[Piper Mike]

No regrets what so ever! (see install link in my signature).

I only lose about 2 to 2-1/2" of water height with mine. Why do you think you'll lose 6-8"?

Don't you cut where your return hole is? I've got the new intex with three holes so I thought I need to cut where the return currently is and use one of the two where the inlet lines are as my new return. By doing that and then having the water halfway up the skimmer it's about 4 to 6 inches. I guess I was in correct about 6-8. Sorry. Can I ask you one other thing? Did you need to cut the screws that came with the skimmer?
Thanks
Mike

 

[zea3]

You can put the skimmer a couple of inches under the top edge as long as there is enough liner to anchor the skimmer on all four edges. Those extra inlet and return openings may be capped, or if you wish used for other purposes. Some people have used those opening to attach fountains or vacuum lines.

 

[Piper Mike]

You can put the skimmer a couple of inches under the top edge as long as there is enough liner to anchor the skimmer on all four edges. Those extra inlet and return openings may be capped, or if you wish used for other purposes. Some people have used those opening to attach fountains or vacuum lines.

Great point. I had wanted to put a fountain on.
Thanks. Any idea if I will need to cut some of the screws?

 

[domct203]

Don't you cut where your return hole is? I've got the new intex with three holes so I thought I need to cut where the return currently is and use one of the two where the inlet lines are as my new return. By doing that and then having the water halfway up the skimmer it's about 4 to 6 inches. I guess I was in correct about 6-8. Sorry. Can I ask you one other thing? Did you need to cut the screws that came with the skimmer?
Thanks
Mike

I did not have to cut the screws. Make sure you have a good #3 Phillips screwdriver though, the screws are tight going in and a #2 is not going to drive them all the way in. It will also help if you lubricate the screw threads with a drop or two of dishwashing soap.

I cut mine in as high as I could. If I was you, I would do the same, and then use one of the two suction ports as a second return, or cap it off.

 

[Piper Mike]

I did not have to cut the screws. Make sure you have a good #3 Phillips screwdriver though, the screws are tight going in and a #2 is not going to drive them all the way in. It will also help if you lubricate the screw threads with a drop or two of dishwashing soap.

I cut mine in as high as I could. If I was you, I would do the same, and then use one of the two suction ports as a second return, or cap it off.

Thanks Dom
did you use the original return hole for your updated return hole? And if so wasntbthe hole too big for the Hayward return jet fitting? Just wondering if you used that hole how did you get around it?
Thanks
Mike

 

[domct203]

My pool had two openings, one suction, one return. I replaced the Intex return fitting with a standard Hayward 1-1/2" wall fitting, and while the hole was a bit bigger, it was only a little bit bigger and is well covered by the gaskets.

I originally left the Intex suction fitting, and tee'd that off of the skimmer line. I wanted to use it as a dedicated vacuum port, but the screen cover would clog up too quickly. I only used it once or twice as a second suction as it would kill the suction at the skimmer. Now that I have a suction side cleaner I will replace that fitting with a std 1-1/2" fitting and use it as the cleaner hookup.

There are a couple of pics in my install thread that show how I plumbed everything.

http://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/96641-Hayward-Skimmer-in-Intex-Ultra-Frame-AGP

With the new Hayward pump and filter, I have plenty of suction and hope to be able to run the cleaner and skimmer together.

 

[Piper Mike]

My pool had two openings, one suction, one return. I replaced the Intex return fitting with a standard Hayward 1-1/2" wall fitting, and while the hole was a bit bigger, it was only a little bit bigger and is well covered by the gaskets.

I originally left the Intex suction fitting, and tee'd that off of the skimmer line. I wanted to use it as a dedicated vacuum port, but the screen cover would clog up too quickly. I only used it once or twice as a second suction as it would kill the suction at the skimmer. Now that I have a suction side cleaner I will replace that fitting with a std 1-1/2" fitting and use it as the cleaner hookup.

There are a couple of pics in my install thread that show how I plumbed everything.

http://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/96641-Hayward-Skimmer-in-Intex-Ultra-Frame-AGP

With the new Hayward pump and filter, I have plenty of suction and hope to be able to run the cleaner and skimmer together.

Thanks again Dom
I must admit I'm terrified about the thought of cutting my liner. Everything inside of me is saying not to do it, but I know it will be a better pool because of it

 

[domct203]

Thanks again Dom
I must admit I'm terrified about the thought of cutting my liner. Everything inside of me is saying not to do it, but I know it will be a better pool because of it

Glad to help.

I too was afraid to cut the liner.... Especially with it almost full of water! I was also worried that the weight of the water would pull on the opening that I cut, possibly tearing the liner. This is why I split the butterfly gasket & mounted the skimmer to the pool before I cut.

It seems that other Intex owners have had success cutting the liner first, then installing. I was too chicken LOL .......

 

[Piper Mike]

Hi Dom
When you mean you "split" the gasket do you mean you completely cut it in two? My gasket is currently split but not in two. Just wondering if I need to do more to my gasket.

 

[domct203]

Hi Dom
When you mean you "split" the gasket do you mean you completely cut it in two? My gasket is currently split but not in two. Just wondering if I need to do more to my gasket.

Yes, I separated the two halves of the gasket, which I stated in my install thread. I have a picture of one side of the gasket, as I cleaned it up where I separated it. I did this so I could install the skimmer before I cut the liner. If you plan to cut the liner first, you leave the gasket as-is.

 

[chayne]

i am about to install my Hayward skimmer on my pool. the pool is down right now. hopefully be putting up this weekend or next weekend. i am a little confused should I or should I not split the gasket for the skimmer? dont really understand why it has to be split. i would think if it needed to be split then wouldnt it come split. not trying to start a war, just curious.

 

[zea3]

i am about to install my Hayward skimmer on my pool. the pool is down right now. hopefully be putting up this weekend or next weekend. i am a little confused should I or should I not split the gasket for the skimmer? dont really understand why it has to be split. i would think if it needed to be split then wouldnt it come split. not trying to start a war, just curious.

The skimmer is not designed to be used on a soft side pool, so to install the skimmer gasket you would cut the opening in the metal pool wall first, then fit the gasket around the edges. This is more difficult to do on a soft sided pool, so most people will split the gasket so they can install the skimmer after the pool is filled, then cut the liner away to form the skimmer opening.

Some do measure and cut the skimmer opening first on the soft sided pool, but there is the potential for the liner to stretch a little after the pool is filled and possibly not seal the opening as well.

 

[domct203]

i am about to install my Hayward skimmer on my pool. the pool is down right now. hopefully be putting up this weekend or next weekend. i am a little confused should I or should I not split the gasket for the skimmer? dont really understand why it has to be split. i would think if it needed to be split then wouldnt it come split. not trying to start a war, just curious.

If you plan to cut through the liner after the skimmer is installed, you will need to split the gasket.

Regardless, if your pool is not currently setup don't install the skimmer yet. Wait until it is setup and partially filled so the liner is pre-stretched and settled.

 

[Piper Mike]

I just received my new sand filter in the mail today. Boy I can't wait! I wish it was done now but I need to drain some of the pool. It sounds like it's easier to completely split the liner then to guess how far to cut correct?
Mike

 

[chayne]

I was planning on waiting til pool is half full before installing the skimmer. Thanks for the info. Wasn't really planning on splitting the gasket but it seems like I will have to do just that.

 

[domct203]

I chose to split the gasket and cut the liner last for two main reasons:

1) I was concerned that when cutting the opening the weight of the water could pull on the liner and start a tear in one of the corners of the opening.
2) See #1 above :joker:

 

[Piper Mike]

I chose to split the gasket and cut the liner last for two main reasons:

1) I was concerned that when cutting the opening the weight of the water could pull on the liner and start a tear in one of the corners of the opening.
2) See #1 above :joker:

Hi Dom
After reading what you said about why you didn't hard plumb your pool because when you are in it, it's always moving made me think. The kids get that pool moving so much I end up always having to tell them to be a bit more careful. So makes me really think. What did you use to connect your intex hose to the skimmer? That's the only thing I don't know how to do. I can connect to it hard plumb but scratching my head when it comes to connecting the hose. Thanks again Dom for all your great advise.
Mike