DIY POOL SKIMMER

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Follow along and make your own electric pool skimmer
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VIDEO FILE: 3949

[@yumann]

Great idea. I modified an intex pool skimmer with a spare pond pump I had around. Works like a champ! Thanks for sharing

[@DillysADV]

Glad you liked it! Please record a vid and send it to me, I'd love to see other versions.

[@SquirrelTheBaby]

Very good idea! I have been trying to make a skimmer for my small pond. This really helps. Thanks!

[@DillysADV]

Thanks for watching. I'd love to see a picture or video of your version when you make it.

[@andrusbogeywaylan5205]

Why would anyone Thumbs Down this video. I found it helpful.

[@DillysADV]

Thanks! This was a fun project and I learned a lot as well.

[@tensecondbuickgn]

good stuff. I actually had a similar idea in my head using a 5 gallon bucket and a spaghetti strainer as the filter lol. Thanks for the video.

[@DillysADV]

Kids grew out of this pool.. I had a lot of fun playing with this one. Maybe some day I will get back to re-vamping my ideas

[@marybutler15]

Thanks very much from uk for DIY solution to getting a skimmer to free float. I have an existing intex one I want to adapt. It's supposed to clamp over edge of inflatable ring but clamping rearly doesn't work and it just slides up and out of water. I did have a pool devil that worked on outflow very well but plastic has finally degraded after 10years and looks like the no longer made.👍

[@DillysADV]

Hope this idea at least helped with some options.

[@devoncarter9062]

I'm on mark IV or is it mark V of DIY filters upgrades for the same Intex Pool your using. I use two Japanese Hi-Clon 70 45kg buckets at the moment for the filter housing. If you don't like bugs etc going through your filter you should hot glue a fine mesh screen to the bottom of your bucket - available in the $2.00 shops for cooking stuff- maybe fish, just cut the handle off. I use the same screen manually at the moment but might give your setup a trial. Another improvement I would make as I use a 1/2 hp peripheral pump on the filters and a series of ball valves to back flush. I would only need in my setup to make a tee off the intake filter hose and hook one hose to the bottom of the vacuum bucket and ditch the submersible pump just use a cheap plastic ball valve to control the suction. I get about 1 season out of intex ....not good value in the long run even at $75 on discount here,, so will have a go at doing a diy block pool shortly. Another handy trick is that 1 inch plastic hose fits snugly inside 1 inch blue water pipe. Anybody with some clues on a vibrator setup to facilitate backflushing,- at the moment I just wack the buckets with a big wrench to expedite crud removal?

[@MAVR1CK1975]

Wow this is pretty cool man. Guess I need to get started. Thanks for the idea!

[@DillysADV]

Thanks.. good luck with yours

[@krombopulosmichael9720]

Thanks a lot for this amazing idea. Great work man 😃👍🏻

[@TheBarnacleBlimp]

Damn good video and worthy subscription. Thank you for sharing.

[@vanman9607]

I like this skimmer idea. I was toying around with an idea that was an additional pool vacuum that was separate from the pump on the pool. Where my pool is located, I get a lot of debris in the fall/winter/spring before I can open my pool. We regularly get 60+mph winds and were told not to put the cover on the pool. So we have to deal with 1-2inches of debris on the bottom of the pool when we go to open it. I make a couple of prototypes but ultimately just ended up manually skimming it again.

[@DillysADV]

sounds like something like this could be helpful but I would definitely scale up for the larger pool. id even look at something similar to the trash boats like they use on the bug rivers just scaled down some...

[@freitaucher8225]

best solution I found on yt 💯

[@DillysADV]

I have some updates coming soon and there are several comments with good ideas as well.

[@gizmocat7757]

i tried polyfil in a big jug and connected it to a vacuum cleaner attachment then connected to my pump..it worked great..i started out with brown water.

[@DillysADV]

I have done something similar since, my biggest problem is that we were leaning as close to fresh water as possible and have too small of a pool filter..

[@TheoWillemse]

Thanks for this video! it's awesome to see all the ideas people come up with to do things like this. o... and thanks for scaring the crap out of me with the ending music... wow.. that was loud!

[@DillysADV]

Sorry about the music. I will work more on my audio leveling. Glad you enjoyed.

[@jessiecorceles6317]

I like it , simple and quick to do . I coild use somthing like this on my koi pond.

[@g_haze95]

Yeah I'd like to see the follow up video!

[@DillysADV]

Gavin Hayes as soon as I can get back to it, I will definitely do that. Probably next spring.

[@Ph0t0bug]

I have another suggestion for you....if you want... I do pools for a living. On your cutout make a one way hinged door. That will shut when the skimmer is off but open when the skimmer is on to let stuff in but it cant escape when the skimmer is turned off.

[@DillysADV]

Thanks, that's a really good idea, I'll have to try that on the next revision and see how that goes.

[@jhmstagg9104]

I love you diy thinking. I m looking to get ideas for a floating pool skimmer that hook up to the pump for an inground pool. i see they can be bought for 95 dollars but i am sure I can make one that works and moves a bit cheaper and for more pleasure. Thanks for your thought process.

[@JohnSmith-xx1lx]

Yes there's a video on KZbin showing how to make one.

[@dragonflyfloatingpoolclean9876]

Interesting!

[@DillysADV]

Thanks, Kinda a fun DIY project. still lots of room for improvement though.

[@TheHaloJM]

You should make it solar so it doesn't rely on you hooking it up all the time and roams around freely without wires. I would love to see that and how you managed to make it if you do

[@JohnSmith-xx1lx]

just have to remember to empty it out when the Sun goes down.

[@DillysADV]

That is a good point. otherwise it would back feed.

[@DillysADV]

I like the idea. although solar is hard to get the right amount of power.. John also had a good point unless we add a check valve so that it will not allow the debris to float back out.

[@ThatGuy-ur5cn]

Genius. I'm going to try this with a little solar pump and see if I can sit the solar panel on the pipes . Thanks for the great idea. What did you attach the pipes to the bucket with? Also, what other mods did you make to make it more efficient in the coming video? I'm building one now

[@DillysADV]

WOW, Sorry for the really slow response.. my notifications are not working.. the biggest mod I plan to do is add pump/pumps that can more more volume. the opening/ Mouth has to be the right size for the volume of water it is pumping.. also DO NOT use copper like I did.. the chlorine eats it fast.. instead just have it push it out the opposite side that the inlet is to make the pool circulate better and it would also increase flow with less restriction. to attach the pipes I actually just used 1" wood screws and then hot-glue to seal the screw and hold the correct orientation. Hope this helps.. please post a pic or vid to my Facebook page, I'd love to see how it turned out..

[@ThatGuy-ur5cn]

Thanks for the reply. I built one with solar but it didn't work out, because after the sun went down all the crap came back out into the pond. I managed to attach the side pipes to the bucket with cable ties, which came out looking quite tidy. I'm going to modify it to be more like yours once I get a new electric pump that can run 24/7 :)

[@DillysADV]

That is a good point. I did not think about the solar kicking out at night. if the pump moved enough you could also use a flap (one way valve) on the inlet... Just thinking

[@danquinn9381]

Hey that guy. How did you use cable ties on the side tubes?

[@ThatGuy-ur5cn]

@@danquinn9381 I think I just wrapped the ties around the pipes and made little holes in the top of the bucket to thread them through

[@dragonflyhill]

Do you have directions somewhere? Step by step, of your final prototype?

[@DillysADV]

Not yet I plan on actually revising the design to make it a little bit easier and a little bit faster and a little bit better, not sure how soon that'll happen though.

[@HectorNoya]

dear friend, do you think this water pump could work with some small solar painel ? would love to see the skimmer automatic working all day without eletricity waste.

[@DillysADV]

the one I was using, no, but there are ones like this: amzn.to/2RlpOqU that could be set up to do the same job. The pump I used is just what I had laying around.

[@salsapete2132]

I have a inground pool leak and the main source seems to be the skimmer so I shut off the skimmer and just use the main drain this may help me.

[@BIGWOOD3160]

It's still going to leak go to your local pool store and get POOL PUTTY you mix 2 parts together apply it to the cracks it hardens in water

[@LubaLuba1]

BIGWOOD3160 I notice that when my water is at the top of the mouth of the skimmer there are no bubbles so I s as m thinking I have a leak in the skimmer

[@tinamccartney3778]

Any luck yet with the update? Hubby is driven me nuts over here!

[@DillysADV]

Unfortunately no, I have not, Our circumstances have changed a lot since we did this one and probably will not be able to get back to it for a bit. I am so sorry and yet Thrilled that you enjoyed this one.

[@el-3azamatv.855]

could i make one but to oil as oil skimmer?

[@DillysADV]

I think it could work similar but would need some way to contain the oil and not let the pump stir it into the water.

[@dougsupetdadr]

just get an aladdin no-niche lily pad skimmer. You can add to any pool and works great

[@DillysADV]

Yes, except that one has to mount to the something to support it to the right height and requires the pool pump to run it. This unit is independent of any other system and can be used in literally any pool (better for smaller inflatable pools though)

[@northzero2390]

Dilly Dilly

[@finned958]

Several things. Your pool is under or close to a tree. Pool is small with no skimmer so why not just cover it or drain it when not using it. A small pool can just be skimmed just before swimming. It doesn’t take that long. I would never use a DIY skimmer. I check my large in-ground pool every day and skim manually sometimes since my pool filter can’t be on all day long. So maybe just change where you place it and maintain it.

[@abbym272]

I realize this comment is super old but why were you even here in the video if you're obviously already so knowledgeable and have no use for anything like this?.... 🤔😒

[@melissaswiger436]

How big is that pool?

[@DillysADV]

Not sure, I believe it was a 12'-16' if the pool gets much bigger than that you would defiantly want to go to a higher flow pump

[@LubaLuba1]

I need a skimmer to float and skim whatever the level of the water is by using the suction from my skimmer on the pool. I have unground pool

[@DillysADV]

This general idea could work well just hook a hose to one of the pool fittings and then to the bottom of this type skimmer instead of the pump - you may need to go a little bigger but the general idea should work well.

[@LubaLuba1]

DillysADV I need a skimmer that skims at whatever height the water is

[@DillysADV]

@@LubaLuba1 Yeah, it would need to be floating and use a flexible hose to connect to the pools pump system. that way it would float at the water level but still pump with the pools system.

[@vanman9607]

There is a skimmer that attaches to your pool return line, using the pressure pumping the water back into the pool to do a similar setup. It attaches to the return, so it doesn't free float like Dilly's, but it works great. it adjusts with the height of the water also. it catches all the debris in a net mounted on the bottom. I've had it for a couple of years and it works well. Got it on Amazon for about $100. It's called the Poolskim.

[@ccices01]

Shop-vac with a filter on the drain out going back in the pool. 5 min job

[@DillysADV]

I can see one major flaw.. it cannot have the drain open at the same time...

[@shallnotbeinfringedamerica1683]

As soon as he said we moved to California I felt sorry for him

[@marthavmuffin]

Where is the follow up - this would be so much more impressive if the water was clear!

[@DillysADV]

There is a follow up coming soon. Clear water is not done by the skimmer, it is the filtering system and good chemical balance. The skimmers sole job is the keep large debris out of the filter unit by removing any floating contaminates. As for the follow up, there will be some more changes to the design to make it work faster and more efficiently.

[@pershop4950]

Good idea but with the kids using the pool, one of them could have been in charge of cleaning up the pool, also! :-)

[@smokysantana]

Cover it. Then if it gets dirty replace all the water every 2-3 weeks.

[@DillysADV]

lol that came out to be more work.. this the kids could put in and take out this cleaner .. the cover I had to do so I would have to stop a lot of what I was doing when the kids wanted to jump in or getting done .. that and being under pine trees, a lot got in just when they were playing. this really did save a lot of time and work once it was tuned. that and it was fun to play with the idea.

[@1USAUSA]

People looking to do this has to come to their REALIZATION that No matter how you decided to do this, whether you buy off-the-shelf skimmer or make your own watching DIY videos like these, YOU NEED STRONG SUCTION at the bottom of your skimmer. That's how any skimmers work; *enough SUCTION to pull water away from your pool.* If you don't have enough suction, then you need to either UPGRADE your pool pump that can provide strong suction or buy a new and separate pump just for the SKIMMER. So, the skimmer will have strong suction to pull water. This is usually the issue people have with their skimmers. It's not that skimmer is designed badly or broken.

[@JohnSmith-xx1lx]

I absolutely agree about buying a separate motor just for the skimmer alone. Most people don't realize how important the skimmer is and if it's not working 100%, the pools turn out to be a dump if there's trees around. Not to mention the debris that gets clogged up in the skimmer line piping.

[@DillysADV]

Yes.. the more flow the better.

[@mcg3534]

What good is keeping the surface clean if you're not keeping the rest of it clean? LOL neat idea though.

[@DillysADV]

Gotta start somewhere.. I was activity working on other cleaning methods but they did not work as well.

[@nevertrumpertexasusa8542]

@@DillysADV Exactly, Dilly's. It leaves room for another project. Also, lots of things float on my pool after a windstorm, thunderstorm, dust devil or similar weather occurrences. Most of that stuff SINKS after several hours and joins companions on the bottom. So, your surface skimmer would serve admirably as a way to lessen the cleaning load caused by an inability to check the pool 24/7. Additionally, besides your engineering prowess, I think your content is presented in a sublimely refreshing way. Well done on the inserted graphics and editorial genius. This is my first look at one of your productions and it won't be the last. Keep up that great ability you have to teach in a most entertaining way. The mix between levity and learning is intelligently captivating. Most YT content has me wanting a cliff notes version - yours held my attention perfectly.

[@daphnietudor2953]

You can buy this same thing for 20$....i dont have any tools that u used so 20$ is cheaper than the build

[@DillysADV]

Where? I looked for one and could not find anything similar..if you can share a link, please do..

[@mahmoudghasemi2998]

🤔

[@DillysADV]

Thanks for watching

[@noodles74]

Star Trek enterprise.

[@DillysADV]

It probably took me longer to get your comment than it should have but, either way, thanks for watching.

[@noodles74]

@@DillysADV just a daft comment. Always looking at DIY things like this good job.

[@mandyice8743]

less talkey more showey!

[@DillysADV]

I am working on that. it has been tricky with the time and cameras I am using but it will happen.. thanks for the comment

[@tamireich7477]

For real shh

[@lauradadams15]

OMG people amaze me. I know that you don’t HAVE to give me this great idea and that it takes time to even create the video but could you stop talking and just show me what I want to see?! It literally makes my skin get hot when I read things like ‘less talkey more showey’. If it’s so disturbing for you, why don’t you go somewhere else to get this helpful and FREE information! Thank you for taking the time to make this video! I’m in the parking lot of Lowes, as I type! I’m on a mission now!! lol

[@fuzzyprosl]

i would feel bad letting a dog swim in that pool. get a floating chlorine dispenser.

[@nevertrumpertexasusa8542]

I like where youre going with this by the way since you don't capitalize anything there is no need for periods or punctuation that way it saves you a keystroke by not wasting one for the space after your period in addition to that chlorines natural enemy is sunlight and the attendant heat a floating chlorine dispenser needs adequate circulation to work properly maybe a liquid chlorine treatment and a boatcanoe paddle or an oar in that size pool would be a quick way to distribute the chlorine otherwise i like the way youre thinking.

[@R_Arizona]

Nice mosquito breeding ground

[@DillysADV]

Thanks...... I think? It is true. I have done better at having enough chlorine in it to prevent Mosquitoes ( I hate them buggers) but that also means I dont get in either (just the kids) I need to find a way to have mosquito free fresh water... any ideas?

[@Entrak]

Drop of dishwasher soap in the water. The mosquito larvae attaches to the surface to breathe by surface tension. A drop of dishwasher soap is enough to break this surface tension, causing them to submerge and drown.

[@yumann]

Here it is. Thanks for the inspiration. Linked to this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/foXTlaWQftuKqtU

[@DillysADV]

Thanks for sharing, loved the ideas.

[@lowbloodprsure]

I'm sorry you moved to California. Good luck paying all your taxes. Bet there's a tax form filling a pool.

[@abelflores3752]

Why on earth would you want to move to the worst state of all 50,

[@DillysADV]

Its a long story but were here for now.. when the time is right we will be going elsewhere.

[@hitdog042]

Why would you even want to make your own pool skimmer lmao. They are cheap.

[@DillysADV]

hitdog042 I could not find one that fit my need.. do you have links?

[@nevertrumpertexasusa8542]

@@DillysADV Relax. Give him more time. It has only been three years. Apparently, links are hard to find.