Ok...I figured I'd share my hard plumb and Hayward thru wall skimmer that I learned all about here on TFP!! I owe thanks to all that has posted and developed this site. The "Pool School" and stickys have been a great help. It's unbelievable the amount of information that is around on this site. Big thanks to those who have taken the time to do this. 
This was my plan:
1st year....buy pool and buy the SWG salt water generator (SWG worth every dollar!!)
2nd year...upgrade to sand filter and 3000 or 2650 pump with hard plumb
3rd year...upgrade size of pool...... 're hard plumb and apply what learned from this years hard plumb.AND landscape around the pool. I really didn't want to take pics and post because of not having a cleaner look.......but oh well....least the kids have a pool right? ...lol
Quick note on rusting issue....I noticed with this pool when I purchased that the insides of the metal frame did NOT have a coating of paint on the inside. The outside was coated good but inside only had like an overspray of paint. I figure this has to be one of the biggest reasons of Intex pools rusting. Knowing we were only going to have this pool for two (2) seasons....I didn't worry to much about this issue. BUT ....when I purchase my next Intex, I will give myself time to take each piece of metal and try to coat the inside with a good 'o coat of Rustoleum. (Since our next pool I plan to keep up for 3-5 years)
One thing I learned was I always thought having a "salt water pool" it would be like swimming in the ocean. Well, if anyone thinks this way I did...it's not. You can barley taste/feel the salt in the water.
And the SWG make chlorine for you! I know here in Florida, I wouldn't be able to afford the amount of chlorine this pool would use because of the sun. So the SWG paid for itself in no time. (Probably a month maybe two)
The gray hose in the suction side or before the pump will be hard plumbed also.....I need one more of those flanged fitting in electrcal aisle at lowes...haven't had a chance to get back there for it....so this gray hose is temporally.

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This was my plan:
1st year....buy pool and buy the SWG salt water generator (SWG worth every dollar!!)
2nd year...upgrade to sand filter and 3000 or 2650 pump with hard plumb
3rd year...upgrade size of pool...... 're hard plumb and apply what learned from this years hard plumb.AND landscape around the pool. I really didn't want to take pics and post because of not having a cleaner look.......but oh well....least the kids have a pool right? ...lol
Quick note on rusting issue....I noticed with this pool when I purchased that the insides of the metal frame did NOT have a coating of paint on the inside. The outside was coated good but inside only had like an overspray of paint. I figure this has to be one of the biggest reasons of Intex pools rusting. Knowing we were only going to have this pool for two (2) seasons....I didn't worry to much about this issue. BUT ....when I purchase my next Intex, I will give myself time to take each piece of metal and try to coat the inside with a good 'o coat of Rustoleum. (Since our next pool I plan to keep up for 3-5 years)
One thing I learned was I always thought having a "salt water pool" it would be like swimming in the ocean. Well, if anyone thinks this way I did...it's not. You can barley taste/feel the salt in the water.
The gray hose in the suction side or before the pump will be hard plumbed also.....I need one more of those flanged fitting in electrcal aisle at lowes...haven't had a chance to get back there for it....so this gray hose is temporally.

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