I have a 16 by 31 intex pool. It is going on its third year. I always keep my pool full. All the way up to the top! I would like to install a thru the wall skimmer but i have a few questions. If i put a skimmer in what is the max level that it can be filled to? I hate the idea of lossing 4 inches of deepth. Also since the liner will have to be cut how long before this would start ripping out? I would like this pool to last for years to come. Thanks
Intex Skimmer
- Thread starter slowgo
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 47,731
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Hello and welcome to TFP. Yes, it can be done and can help quite a bit, but you will lose some water depth as the water will be adjusted to about halfway up the skimmer opening, where before you may have liked it at the top edge of your pool. Here are some examples:
Through the wall skimmer on an Intex
Thru wall skimmer location on intex
Through Wall Skimmer on Rectangular Intex Ultra Frame UPDATE
When installed properly, you should not have to worry about the liner ripping out from around the liner. You'll get many ideas from previous owners here at TFP who have done the same. Glad to have you with us.
Through the wall skimmer on an Intex
Thru wall skimmer location on intex
Through Wall Skimmer on Rectangular Intex Ultra Frame UPDATE
When installed properly, you should not have to worry about the liner ripping out from around the liner. You'll get many ideas from previous owners here at TFP who have done the same. Glad to have you with us.
Welcome to TFP Slow!
None of those are really designed to last more than a few years, but people do get more out of them. I don't know how long before it rips out or if it will. No one can answer you honestly on that, but perhaps you can get some experienced answers. No matter what, if you want it fully to the brim, you're not going to be able to keep doing that. Four inches loss is probably a good estimate, but maybe less. Others who've done it will have to weigh in.
None of those are really designed to last more than a few years, but people do get more out of them. I don't know how long before it rips out or if it will. No one can answer you honestly on that, but perhaps you can get some experienced answers. No matter what, if you want it fully to the brim, you're not going to be able to keep doing that. Four inches loss is probably a good estimate, but maybe less. Others who've done it will have to weigh in.
Thanks for the input. I do not want to lose 4 inches. Is there any type of floating skimmer that works good? I live out in farm land and get lots of dust on the water surface so the skimmer can not be on the return line were it only uses a bag to catch leaves. It would need to feed into the filter like the one that came with the pool. The intex one is junk!
- Jun 22, 2014
- 47,731
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
There are, and you can do some Googling - like this one: Over-the-Wall Skimmer-12751 - The Home Depot. But that one didn't get the greatest reviews. Here's another example: Lomart Over-The-Wall Skimmer | Swimtown Pool Supplies. But again, it will need to be slightly lower than the top edge to promote water flow into the skimmer.
The Intex Deluxe skimmer works much better than the ones they typically include with the pool. I used one for a while before I installed a Hayward thru the wall.
Amazon.com : Deluxe Wall Mount Surface Skimmer : Swimming Pool Maintenance Kits : Patio, Lawn Garden
Amazon.com : Deluxe Wall Mount Surface Skimmer : Swimming Pool Maintenance Kits : Patio, Lawn Garden
Thanks for the input. I think i will skip installing one this year. Is there any chemical that is okay to use with the bbb method that will help stuff fall to the bottom so the vac can pick it up?
Slowgo I can only speak about the over the wall skimmer. I had the 18' Ultra Frame Intex. The skimmer that ended up coming with it is the over the wall type, but this was the delux model. Surprisingly enough this thing worked quite well and you will not lose any water depth installing it. I get lots of may flies and beetles early in the season. This thing will catch 80% or more of them. Does well with anything that floats on or near the top of the pool.
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