Intex Pool Skimmer Upgrade for Bestway Above Ground Pool

[@IrisCorven]

2 years late to the party - I ended up buying a 1000gph pump, a plunger valve, and the skimmer/vacuum combo for my 10x6.7 pool because of this and your 1.5 inch tube video. Really made cleaning the thing a breeze! Thanks a ton!

[@getitdone308]

Glad it helped!

[@logarin]

Hello! A year late here :) I just got the skimmer but with the 1000gph pump the suction is still very gentle. To fix this I placed a few stones under the basket (On each inlet covered with the black rubber) and that helped a lot since the water now has to come from the top.

[@bw536]

If u put that grey stopper that comes with skimmer inside skimmer blue attachment where it screws on it gives it awesome suction

[@getitdone308]

Thanks Billy. Can you elaborate more on that? Wouldn't that stop the suction outright?

[@heathermelohn]

It is the one with hole that is suppose to slow suction if the pump is on overkill so not sure how that helps suction. Maybe you meant to put it in the extra suction opening?

[@sherryorr4219]

Thank you so much I was getting really worried I couldn’t keep the skimmer from floating and I was afraid to turn the pump because of that. So simple

[@getitdone308]

It works for a while, but I ended up upgrading further. Here's the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqGlmqd9ZtehqZo

[@heathermelohn]

Did not look at entire video of the Hayward type external skimmer as I know I’m not wanting one I want my water line to stay high as possible. I used this weatherstripping hack couple seasons now but I’m not sure exactly what you did with rocks can you elaborate please? I am So over babysitting this skimmer! I’ve had both ends of hose collapse too. I don’t know why I’ve bought 4 of these and not tried a new manufactur model. Intex has bench seat and same type attachment however nut ends have rubber overlay on them! So I may dip mine into liquid flex seal. I’ve tried weight it down using bottles full of pea gravel on outside tied to it but didn’t work. And for anyone looking to use larger hoses you can easily modify the liner by tracing inside of large pool fitting nut which you can get large pool suction fitting from intex corp cheap or eBay if you wanna pay a lot and just cut the liner I’ve done it many times no prob I do suggest hobby knife over a box cutter then you can use large pool fitting large screw on hoses and no adapters plus plunger valves. Good luck

[@getitdone308]

Truthfully, this kind of skimmer is made to be used when nobody is on the pool. It works great. As soon as you add any ripples or waves, it bounces up, sucks air, and becomes a problem. So, if you can commit to only using it when nobody is on the pool, you should be fine. Otherwise, the Hayward option is foolproof. As far as keeping as much water in the pool as possible...I fully understand. I had the same feeling. However, the loss of a couple inches is not noticeable at all...and my pool gets skimmed at any time.

[@heathermelohn]

@@getitdone308 I’m wanting to know how you placed rocks tho I get under basket part but you put at rubber intake or something is what I didn’t follow thanks

[@getitdone308]

I didn't plant rocks. Some people do though.

[@heathermelohn]

@@getitdone308 what I mean is so you put rocks under the basket inside the skimmer but you said something regarding at both rubber intakes and that second part about intakes is what I didn’t follow as far as did you mean on both sides of the intakes in bottom of the skimmer? Those rubber pieces? Thinking must be it but I ordered a bestway off eBay yesterday from spreetail is where I get my “for parts” 250.00 intex zx300 auto vac that climbs walls for 20-30 dollars and they always come like new and work fine but skimmer attaches better more oval shape than intex was 11.00 but is like intex never chg their design to attach once frame of pool design changed and I have bestway steel pro max so I felt was worth a shot plus these had like good ratings are usually almost 60.00 granted I just got new intex skimmer last month but for 11.00 is worth checking cause I can’t risk my 2500 gph pump and right now esp need it have ton of wings of termites or carpenter ants but I did c a lot of hacks even just cutting plastic juice bottle and sliding over suction port worked for a guy I have like 4 of the parts for intex skim that are for easy set pool I may mess around with my dremel and some pvc and c what I can come up with also as a hack other ppl can use I even had the vac that inserted inside skimmer but gave away cause I never use manual vac if need quick clean I use pool blaster max li rechargeable but I’ve had splash type above ground before and even then pump with built in skimmer I didn’t care for at all

[@getitdone308]

My pool has 2 intakes. So to create more suction to the skimmer, I use ONE of the I takes with the plugs that come the pool.

[@Android_Warrior]

I got the same pool and skimmer that you have and I put zip ties to mine and it will not go no where!.

[@getitdone308]

That'll do the trick too. Ultimately I did the cutout exterior skimmer. Haven't looked back. It's awesome.

[@Android_Warrior]

@@getitdone308 : I am too afraid to cut my pool liner, I'll keep the intex. thanks.

[@getitdone308]

So was I. But it also allowed me to go fill 1.5" hoses and improve suction/flow.

[@bm3211]

I figured out if you take the part that is made for the round soft pool and put it on the smallest setting you can actually zip tie it on the top and zip tie the part that goes into the pool on one of the legs its much easier I couldn't get this to work for me. Also I have a best way 14x48 pool and the original pump is not strong enough for this skimmer I burnt the motor so I had to go get a new one and got the 2500 gph and my pool is crystal clear and this skimmer works great

[@getitdone308]

Agreed. I looked high and low for a non-zip tie solution, but really couldn't find one. Your idea is great. Check out my latest video for how I upgraded the skimmer even further.

[@bm3211]

@@getitdone308 i was too afraid of cutting into my pool. Im doing it all myself and I didn't trust myself to do it. LOL.

[@getitdone308]

It really was easier than I feared!

[@bm3211]

@@getitdone308 its been one thing after another with this pool. I think I finally have it together besides there not being any plunger valves in the box with the pump I bought everything else seems to be good for now.

[@heathermelohn]

I’ve cut my liners many of them to use large pool fitting intake and output you can find videos on it too if you mess up you can patch it using real pool liner vinyl off eBay but I do it to use large fitting and large hoses plus plunger valves also you can find all those pieces even the large pool suction old style is being made again but I like the fitting has screen piece that screws on so I get suction of wider area all is on intex website intex corp

[@margaretbennett5106]

Thank you..got my skimmer followed your easy instructions and got it done!

[@getitdone308]

Awesome! Glad it helped. I will be making another video on another upgrade for the skimmer soon. Keep an eye out for it!

[@jamiesprings4642]

How did you fix the air bubbles from blocking of the second intake? My skimmer came with a piece with a tiny hole in the end to cap it off, but it sucks lots of air.

[@getitdone308]

The cap that came with the skimmer blocked it completely (fortunately). So I didn't get any air.

[@s13addict]

Did you have to buy any extra adapters for the installation on the bestway pool or did they come with the skimmer?

[@getitdone308]

Adapters for what? To adapt to the Intex skimmer...no. To adapt from 1.25 to 1.5 hoses...yes.

[@MissYDaHellNot]

My skimmer wont stay in place it keeps floating to the top its not letting me adjust the bracket to bring skimmer up so im not sure what else i could do

[@getitdone308]

I made the change to an exterior skimmer. It worked WAY better and resolved this issue permamently.

[@lindaglass756]

How do I attach the suction hose? There is no connector provided

[@getitdone308]

The connector comes with the skimmer. You have to unscrew the tiny screw from your pool outlet and unscrew the cap. The connector screws to the outlet.

[@bigoscards-breaks5376]

Is that a wood ladder in your pool?

[@getitdone308]

Yes. I have a video on it. Works great...even after a few years.

[@donnaconstantino6760]

How do you know if you get air in the pump and is that bad

[@getitdone308]

If air is in the pump...it won't work well. Depending on your pump, you should actually see the air in the reservoir. Plus...it'll spatter.

[@Lutester1990]

Also do you have a video with the vaccine

[@getitdone308]

What?

[@MrYoda1972]

did u do some modificAtion to fit the intex skimmer to your bestway pool? pertaining to fitting the tube to the outlet?

[@getitdone308]

No. Nothing was modified. It attached straight to the fitting that came with the pool.

[@getitdone308]

Sarah, what size hoses does you pool have? 1.25 or 1.5"? The skimmer comes ready to work with 1.25" hoses.

[@heathermelohn]

It should screw right onto the suction port of a bestway pool it just won’t on Summer waves or summer escapes

[@michellevetterl9975]

Thx for update on intex skimmer. While I was was watching your video, I noticed you have wooden steps to get up to pool and that go down into pool. Can you share how you made them? Thank you in advance. :)

[@getitdone308]

Check out my other videos on my channel. I give some instructions.

[@getitdone308]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4GcnamnZ5h1isk

[@cliffordpelletier3973]

So do you completely block off the second intake port? I'm dealing with this issue right now.

[@getitdone308]

Yes I did. I blocked the 2nd port and got all the suction I needed. Check out my latest video to see how I upgraded the skimmer again this year!

[@yepitsdevon]

@@getitdone308 what did you use to block off the 2nd intake?

[@getitdone308]

I used the intake plug that came with my pool.

[@sherrysnyder1158]

How did you attach the intex skimmer to the bestway intake?

[@getitdone308]

The skimmer comes with a blue adapter that literally screws into the Bestway intake. The Bestway intake has a suction guard/screen that's screwed in. Take out the screws and unscrew the screen from the part that goes into the pool wall. Then screw the Bestway adapter to it (exactly where the screen was). Hope it helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

[@sherrysnyder1158]

@@getitdone308 I must have a different one. I took the screws out but it doesmt come apart

[@getitdone308]

I thought the same. It literally unscrews. It's a little tough the first time, but it comes unscrewed.

[@sherrysnyder1158]

Thank you so much! I figured it out!

[@kbcharms]

Mine never came with a blue adapter smh

[@candicebaker2663]

For that size pool you need the the bigger skimmer. It holds better in the Coleman's pools. :)

[@getitdone308]

Which skimmer are you talking about? You've got my interest!

[@candicebaker2663]

@@getitdone308 It's the deluxe model I just installed mine yesterday. It was awesome!! Sits really nice. We have an Coleman vista 2, 18x48 foot pool :)

[@getitdone308]

Thank you. I'm not familiar with the deluxe model. Do you have a link you can post please? I'd love to look it up.

[@getitdone308]

I removed your link accidentally. Apparently I don't have that one. Thanks!

[@candicebaker2663]

@UC7QKdN5fWni_wIyo_xusCQw yours looks smaller? This one has two attachments for different pools.

[@tarafaithnicole4621]

Hi I have an coleman vista series 18 x 48 inch pool and I have the intex skimmer attached to the 1st inlet on my pool and have the other one blocked with the same stopper that came with the pool I have been working on my pool for almost 2 weeks now and I still can't get my skimmer to suction properly it is slightly sucking but not like it should be most bugs gone on by the skimmer instead of being sucked into the skimmer. I have an sand filter pump one of the smaller models not sure the exact one but I've not ever had any issues with my pump before but as soon as i got this coleman pool i've had nothing but issues ever since I have never seen a pool with 2 inlets?? Any help would be greatly appreciated thank you

[@getitdone308]

A couple things to check: #1 You do need a minimum amount of suction (gallons per hour (gph)) for the skimmer to work. If it's not sucking enough water, it won't work. #2. Do you have ANY air in your pump/filter? It reduces suction if you do. #3. I've found that when the white bucket is about 1" below the water line, that mine gets the best suction. Too deep or too shallow, it won't work right. My guess is simply your suction isn't enough. Make sure you're cleaning the filter regularly, there's little/no air in your system, and last, check your power cord. I found that a insufficient power cord causes the pump to not work right. Let me know and I'll be glad to help you troubleshoot.

[@heathermelohn]

The 2 suction is law due to a child drowning from Hair being caught in suction port however I block my 2nd and modify my pool to use 2500gph pump it works great and use large pool suction fitting large 1.5” hoses and you can’t even feel the pull of the suction when you put ur hand up to it when the screw on screen is in place so not sure how it’s so harmful to children but I don’t have any small kids and if they come I turn pump off to be safe

[@Greenday1827]

What filter/pump is that?

[@getitdone308]

www.amazon.com/dp/B07TN3JQ2P/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_9R5Y3J21RK8P63WRYPN6?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

[@damianyodice1293]

What tape did you use

[@getitdone308]

I showed it in the video. It's window sill tape. Check out my latest video to see how I upgraded further!

[@dontperish6426]

Don't waste money

[@getitdone308]

It is a good skimmer. It gets the job done nicely. That said, check out my latest video where I stepped up my game and installed a better skimmer.