AGP Thru Wall Skimmer Regrets?

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Bpgolferguy

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May 28, 2017
2
Kansas
Hi there, going to be putting up an Intex Ultra XTR 18ft x 54in pool in about a month. I've had AGP's in the past, but one thing I've never done is install a thru wall skimmer on any of them. For some reason I think now is the time, which makes no sense because this is the biggest/most expensive AGP I've had, so why not start by cutting the liner right? Ha.

I was just curious if anyone has done this in the past and regretted it? I've dealt with the 'ol intex hanging basket skimmers and that's why I'm seriously considering this. I've seen the countless posts people have made showing the tutorials, and before and after photos, but I haven't seen much in the way of anyone ruining their liners or having issues with them. Either no has had any issues, or they just aren't sharing. My main concern is destroying the structural integrity of the liner by cutting a hole in it. For some reason I just see it ripping right in two once a hole is cut into it. Has anyone ever had an issue with the liner ripping or giving way because of a thru wall skimmer install?

Lastly, what was everyone's preference when installing? Did you do it with the pool nearly full (just under where the skimmer will be installed), or did you do before ever putting any water in the pool? To me doing it empty seems like the safer bet because you don't have any strain on the liner as you cut, so there's less chance of a small cut turning into a huge gash. I'm just nervous about doing it, hoping someone can help calm my fear :) Thanks!
 
Not a single regret. But do not install without water in the pool. You need the liner to stretch out before you cut it. Fill the pool to just below where the skimmer plate will sit. Install the plate by itself first, and cut the liner away from inside the plate opening. Then take the plate off, install the butterfly gasket and install the skimmer. You will already have your holes screwed in so it’ll be easy.
 
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kellyfair said:
Not a single regret. But do not install without water in the pool. You need the liner to stretch out before you cut it. Fill the pool to just below where the skimmer plate will sit. Install the plate by itself first, and cut the liner away from inside the plate opening. Then take the plate off, install the butterfly gasket and install the skimmer. You will already have your holes screwed in so it’ll be easy.
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So you leave the gasket in tact? I read some posts that said they split the gasket in two to put on each side. Didn't seem necessary to me, but it sounds like the way you say to do it there'd be no reason to have to split the butterfly, no?
 
Bpgolferguy said:
So you leave the gasket in tact? I read some posts that said they split the gasket in two to put on each side. Didn't seem necessary to me, but it sounds like the way you say to do it there'd be no reason to have to split the butterfly, no?
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Some people put the skimmer in before they cut the hole for it. You can’t use the butterfly gasket if you do that. It seems to be a mix as to who does it one way or the other. (I’m in the fit skimmer first then cut category)
 
Yeah it's a little scary but lots have done it, and looking back you wonder what the big deal was. Zero regrets. Vs no skimmer before, the skimmer is great, and you can use a manual vacuum line with the skimmer as well. The Hayward ones come with a plate that goes over the skimmer and has a connection for a hose.
 
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Bpgolferguy said:
So you leave the gasket in tact? I read some posts that said they split the gasket in two to put on each side. Didn't seem necessary to me, but it sounds like the way you say to do it there'd be no reason to have to split the butterfly, no?
Click to expand...
Correct, you don’t have to split the butterfly if you do it this way. It’s really easy.
 
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THANK you for asking this question! I JUST convinced my hubby to take the jump for this! I just ordered this one from Walmart! Verify your identity I can't wait till it gets here. Please share what method you decided to do. I have the exact same questions you do. I wish I had googled the Hayward skimmer price before I ordered some accessories from intex 2 days ago. I could have saved me 30 bucks! Now to figure out what connector parts I am going to need to get it to the Intex pump!
 
It is the best thing that you can do to a AGP that does not have one. I have done this twice. The first time I put the top row of screws below where the liner pattern met up with the grey color that goes over the rails. I always wished that it was just a little higher, so when I did the 2nd one several years later I put the screws in the gray part.

1st one (lower)
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2nd one (about 1/2" higher than the 1st one I did)
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The 2nd one allowed my water level to be about 1/2" higher...I liked it better that way. It was just as solid as keeping the screw holes below the grey part of the liner.
 
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kellyfair said:
Not a single regret. But do not install without water in the pool. You need the liner to stretch out before you cut it. Fill the pool to just below where the skimmer plate will sit. Install the plate by itself first, and cut the liner away from inside the plate opening. Then take the plate off, install the butterfly gasket and install the skimmer. You will already have your holes screwed in so it’ll be easy.
Click to expand...
No regrets here either. Kelly is correct. I just installed a Hayward Skimmer. Lowered water level to a couple inches below where the hole for the skimmer would be cut. I also went as high as possible, like duckcmmndr above. I was able to leave the butterfly gasket in tact. The liner is very tough. With water in the pool there was no deforming of the liner while I cut the hole (see finished cut). Use a sharp blade. I used an Exacto knife with a pointed blade and a push/pull motion of the blade, (Knife in my right hand supported below by my left hand.) rather than a slicing motion. Work slowly. If you start to see double o_O , take a break. Your liner will not tear during the cut or after the cut is made. And the Hayward through wall skimmer works a ton better than the INTEX skimmer I was using too!
 

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I just finished installing mine today also, so we’ll see how it goes. It was pretty straight forward and all the reviews have been good experiences. My pool is just a 12x30, so a replacement liner would not have been expensive had I screwed up this :). I cut the gasket in half since I installed the skimmer then cut liner. So far so good.
 

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