Best Skimmer for Vinyl above ground pools: Best way, Intex, Coleman: Real Life Reviews

This is a 5 star review on the Hayward wide Mouth Skimmer. If you're interested in the products we review, click the link below and it will take you where you want to go! Thanks for stopping by.
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[@bendonathen6890]

remarkably good review. no BS, just quickly giving good info. Thanks for the 40m to 1 1/2 inch adapter recommendation, no one mentions that but i knew i needed something.

[@falangjayx]

I like how you mention that you're not supposed to cut the gasket during installation. I've seen so many of these Hayward skimmer install videos where these knuckleheads do that and to me that just looks like it increases leaks around that area. Even the Hayward installation recommends not cutting the gasket during install. Great vid!

[@rfphill]

Thank you... just answered the question lingering in my head based on watching a handful of these videos. I kept wondering why these guys are all separating both halves of the gasket, it didn't seem particularly necessary. I can understand how they "got there" by way of logic, and sometimes I have weird blindspots too, but this one seemed obvious.

[@emegge]

OK., question answered. Thanks. I already order de 40 mm adapter.

[@n8sot]

Thanks for the perfect review!!!!!! Just put mine in just as you said to do. PERFECT!!!!!!!!!! I LOVE it!!!!!! Question, Why would anybody split the gasket????? Next question, WHY does it come with round head screws and flat head screws????? That kinda threw me off!!!! Again.....thanks for the tips on the install!!!!

[@magical.melody674]

I love my wide mouth skimmer!

[@JasonSmith-fr3gz]

Thanks for the review, I'm considering this skimmer. I'm really looking forward to the review and discussion on a heater, and as I await my saltwater pump, I'm looking forward to hearing about yours. 👍

[@rileygmom]

I recently purchased the clip on skimmer with the basket and have no idea how to attach the hose. My 2 outgoing (to the pump) holes do not have a threaded strainer to attach the skimmer hose?? How did you do it? Can you post a picture as well?

[@dukegordon1118]

Do you think it would be ok to put this wide mouth skimmer on both return ports? By that I mean using two of them, one for each return port.

[@kennybarnett7573]

If I installed the small Hayward version LX can I upgrade to the widemouth in the same exact spot? For faceplate?

[@karendakel2456]

How do you empty the filter basket now that the skimmer hose goes directly to it?

[@byzantinex]

I have the smaller skimmer, you said it does work to upgrade to the wide mouth one using the same hole and just cutting it bigger?

[@amymaples2499]

We bought this pool based on your review. We will likely purchase one of the pumps you recommend and even the tarp. We are first time pool installers and most anxious about making sure the ground is level. We live in rural Oklahoma, a good two hours from a Home Depot type store and 30 miles from a small Ace Hardware. We will purchase as much as possible online (from your links!) It looks like our going in to town shopping list should include lumber for the feet and some sand to help with leveling. What else should be on a first timers shopping list? And is there a video coming on the initial leveling of the ground? We will probably wait to install until we get some thoughts on that! 😁. Your reviews are amazing (I’ve got a Oklahoma Joe ordered so I’ll probably be watching cooking review soon) Thank you!

[@Pondiver]

I didnt do much for leveling. I simply just put down sand in the extra low spots so that the ground was level underneath the liner. Are also used a tarp they help protect the liner from the ground. Being off 1 or 2 inches won't hurt too bad and as long as it doesn't exceed something like 3 to 5". That would put too much stress on one side of the pool and I would steer away from that. Try not to over use sand because the more you step on it the more you manipulate the bottom of your liner. I appreciate the note! You are going to love that Oak Joe!

[@Huskerfan69]

Does the widemouth skimmer pull on the pool liner at all, from being heavier than a regular sized hayward skimmer?

[@bereal1251]

Awesome video doing this to my pool but I'm having trouble finding the jme adapter do you have a link truly appreciate it 😊

[@MichaelJerkson]

Is it worth the loss of water depth compared to the over all skimmer ?

[@carlosbelcerra2344]

Did you make the video of you leveling the legs

[@chantelbaker5875]

I’m curious about the hoses… How do I reconnect all of them… or close them?

[@robertbarnes2322]

Hey sir you seem like you have good knowledge on lots of stuff...was hoping you can on video doing the work but if not possible I understand....I want to install one of the skimmers on the wall......but like you said when you put razor ,and liner and cut....into one sentence it just gives you the chills.... like shit I might fuck up lol ....but hey let me know bro....ttyl dude

[@leecountry1705]

what do u do with the B holes , nowhere to run? Help please

[@charlesbryant3515]

What is the name of the song you are playing at the beginning of your video?

[@michaelopry3456]

Great informative video. In your opinion, does this affect the integrity of the liner? I'm kind of scared to do this as it's not really reinforced like where the original inlets and outlet are located. I just wouldn't want the kids swimming and getting some water wave action going and the liner rip along where it was cut for the skimmer.

[@fredlowko6874]

Good question. No answers. Lol

[@kenjohnston8219]

@@fredlowko6874 I've cut several Intex brand pools, and never had a problem. Be precise, and as the man in the video said, don't over cut.

[@timlong6137]

So my question is do you only use the double gasket on the inside of the liner to seal it or do you actually cut the liner before mounting the skimmer?

[@Pondiver]

See my latest skimmer vid. I explain what I did.

[@msnoreen72]

Hi, Will the wide mouth skimmer or the smaller skimmer work with the pump that was sold with the Coleman pool?

[@Pondiver]

I think it would, but I've never tried it. That original pump is kind of weak.

[@luigimartinez1748]

When are you releasing the salt water review? Thanks for your real life honest reviews

[@Pondiver]

In a few more days. Theres more content coming between now and then so hang tight👍

[@tori4829]

What size is your pool?

[@joeyrodriguez2706]

I was wondering when you will be putting at an on the Intex 16in sand filter pump in detail like setting it up and any other extra things I need with the pump. Thank you

[@Pondiver]

In 6 days

[@joeyrodriguez2706]

@@Pondiver Thank you

[@mrfreezey1]

If you had to do it over again would you still split the gasket in two or leave it one piece as you did with the wide mouth skimmer?

[@Pondiver]

I will always make it two pieces. Its sooooo much easier.

[@mrfreezey1]

Appreciate will tackle this next season as I don't feel like going thru the hassle of draining and filling up again..thx for the great 📹

[@ncsumack]

Hi, I purchased the Hayward widemouth in-wall skimmer for my Coleman 22'x52" pool. And I'm upgrading to a 30gpm (1,800 gph) 0.5 HP Hayward VL series pump with 13" sand filter system. Right now I'm not adding a salt chlorine generator or anything else, so my question is - Do I cap off one of the "B" suction ports so that the only inlet is the wide-mouth skimmer? (Or do you still use the 2nd "B" suction inlet in addition to the skimmer)? Also, for the placement of the in wall skimmer, would you suggest placing it over one of the "B" ports, meaning cut the area at one of "B" ports or should I place it somewhere else and just cap off both "B" ports? Thank you for your videos, they are a real help!!

[@Pondiver]

Its completely up to you....just dont starve your pump for water.

[@JasonH17]

I know this is an old video, but any thoughts if you cut into the side 1/4 of inch too much? Asking for a friend..lol.. the frame covers it just fine I'm just.. I meant he''s just worried about the cut spreading. I was thinking about putting a patch on both sides to reinforce is this over kill?

[@Pondiver]

You can never overkill vinyl. There's a lot of pressure against it, so two patches are better than one. Peace of mind outweighs the waist.

[@JasonH17]

@@Pondiver Thanks for the quick reply.. Ill do it then for sure. I installed the skimmer but havent filled the pool back as I am doing the plumming and installing the sand filter you recommended in another video

[@Pondiver]

Most excellent! You will love the hard plumbing. The rigidity makes it worthwhile. It may not be so, but it instantly felt like the pressure was twice as good once I plumbed it.

[@jeannemalloy3452]

Once the skimmer is installed, can you take the pool down for winter?

[@trevordoeshalloween5994]

Just take the skimmer off I would assume

[@queenoftrades]

My question is, what about the 2 suction inlets? What do you do with them? Put a plug in them since you won’t be using it with the skimmer? Could you show what you did with yours? Thank you!

[@Pondiver]

That video is coming in a few days.

[@queenoftrades]

Real Life Reviews awesome thank you!!!!!

[@ingvildcostello6889]

@@Pondiver I am looking forward to that video as I am missing information on how to connect the skimmer to the pump etc... First time pool owner here and I cant tell you how much your videos have helped me make it a success so far!!! THANK YOU!!

[@Pondiver]

@@ingvildcostello6889 simple. Your 1.5" intex hose goes from the GAME adapter on the bottom of the Haward Skimmer to the basket suction on your pump.

[@ingvildcostello6889]

@@Pondiver Thanks so much for your speedy response! But the hose from the dual suction outlets on the pool goes to the basket suction on my pump... I may be missing something here... Like I said, this is my first time with a pool :)

[@ToyReviewsAndUnboxing]

Is the wide mouth skimmer much better than the original? I can’t decide between the two.

[@Pondiver]

It's definitely worth the mod. Does a much better job at skimming.

[@ToyReviewsAndUnboxing]

@@Pondiver I actually have both right now but haven’t installed yet. I was thinking the widemouth might be too big to fit on my beltway round 20 foot pool. But if you think it skims better, I will

[@JustTheRandomChannel]

Great video, but it does look like you used a drill on the previous. Not a screwdriver

[@JustTheRandomChannel]

3:39

[@KegstandOG]

Throwing some great no bs information that helps people like me. Idiots with no prior install knowledge. I am curious how long these last for people.

[@Pondiver]

It still holds water. 👍

[@Pondiver]

Several years.

[@EverythingEvo]

Cutting into the vinyl for this? LOL, pass.

[@trevordoeshalloween5994]

It's worth it