Wanting to change wall mounted screen filter to a skimmer on Intex Ultra Frame pool.

[The Brabarian]

Hi,
Thanks for hosting this forum.
I have an Intex Ultra Frame 12x24x52" pool in my back yard.
Sadly it must sit under a few trees that can not be removed so there is a continual leaf problem.
The sand filter set up on this pool does nothing to clear the surface of this debris, so I am constantly having to scoop and vacuum.
My question is, do you guys know of any body who sells a skimmer type catch filter that will mount to the existing plumbing or is this a modification thing I need to try and rig up?
My second question is, Are there any automatic vacuums that can attach to the outflow and run automatically to clean the floor and walls or is this something I'll be stuck doing manually with a garden hose?
Thanks in advance for any help and I hope I wasn't too long winded.
The Brabarian.

[Watermom]

There is a product that was talked about awhile back on the forum that a lot of people liked. I don't know anything about it but looked it up for you. The website is http://www.poolskimusa.com/. If you click on "reviews" on that page, it links back to one of our threads where it was discussed. Whether it will work with an Intex is something I don't know. I have never owned an Intex but several others have, Dave being one of them. Maybe he will see this thread and comment.

As far as automatic pressure side cleaners for an Intex, again, maybe Dave or someone else with some Intex pool experience will be able to address that. (However, the poolskim mentioned above attaches to the return jet so you wouldn't be able to run it and another pressure side cleaner.)

Anyway ---- just a little info for what its worth. I have not used nor seen this product but just remember it being discussed.

Welcome to the Pool Forum!

[The Brabarian]

OK, Well thanks for the link. Maybe that will be a place to start.
I appreciate the timely response.

[Watermom]

You're welcome! Hopefully some others will chime in with some more thoughts for you about this.

[BigDave]

When I had my intex inflateable ring pool, I had an Intex skimmer that mounted (sort-of) to the inflateable ring. It required alot of fiddling as the ring would expand during the day with the sun on it. I think that on a frame pool, it would work better. The following link looks like an updated version of what I had Intex Krystal Clear Wall-Mounted Pool Surface Skimmer (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00178IMPO/scouscho-20). If you buy it through the link the PoolForum gets some coin to keep the lights on.

I also had an above ground robotic cleaner that worked pretty well for cleaning the floor but didn't last very long. You could probably figure out a way to connect a hose to the skimmer's suction for vaccuuming.

[The Brabarian]

I went to several pool supply companies looking for something to attach, but the only things they had were such small lines that without some serious reduction fittings they would never work.

But again with this, the outflow would be severely restricted and that worries me as to how it could effect my sand filter pump.

Long story short, I purchased a separate small pump, similar to what Big Dave mentioned and with a few adaptions have made something that will fit under the deck and run separately as just a skimmer by itself.

Thank you guys for your ideas though.

[BigDave]

I'd love to see a picture of your solution.

[The Brabarian]

I'll post them soon. Just finished a good cleaning of the inside and will start filling it today.
Thanks again.

[PoolDoc]

Send the pics to poolforum@gmail.com, if you like. Include the thread number (23002)

. . . membership upgraded.

[The Brabarian]

Well, that didn't work as well as I would have liked.
The small filter pump hoses must go over the side due to not having any existing holes and this creates a problem with the natural pressure of the water helping the pump.
Long story short........ The basket collect a small amount of debris, but not nearly enough to warrant the costs.
I can't believe Intex doesn't offer some type of product to skim their Ultraframe pools.
But I'm nothing if not persistant and will figure something out if it kills me. LOL
Thanks again for the help though.

ps. Can someone explain why new members do not get access to the archives? I think it would save a lot of hassle for the moderators if we could look through previously answered questions, saving them much time re-answering the same thing.

[Watermom]

Where are you not able to look? Have you tried using the Google search in the bottom of mine or Ben's signature blocks?

[PoolDoc]

If you are referring to the status of *Trial* members, the reason is that as many as 10% of new members on any given day are actually spammers. Some of those guys, if they get in, will post 100 or more times in a single hour, before one of us can catch it, creating situation that's very time consuming to resolve. Ironically, using the current gateway process, they usually don't even bother to post, since the New User section is not public, and not visible to Google.

I've tried many things over the years to keep spammers out, but this current gateway process has been far and away the most effective.

[PoolDoc]

Regarding the skimmer, you may want to look at this Intex video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDxh4nwmY7I

As you can see, their skimmer is intended to connect where the side drain is.

[BigDave]

That's a lot like the one I had. It does work.

[The Brabarian]

I was referring to the search box in the upper right. I assumed it was much like most sights where you can type in a subject and look for previous threads about them.
As for the skimmer video, I had that type skimmer on my previous Intex pool, but the one I currently have, an Intex Ultra Frame model does not have the same type of inflow hook ups and I've not found any adapters that would allow that type skimmer to hook up there.
I also have concerns of would a skimmer like that have adverse actions for my pump being as it is a sand filter type pump and the debris potentially clogging the line and adversely affecting the performance of the sand filter and pump.
Once again though, I thank you all for your continued help in fixing this.
Currently I have installed a fish pond type submersible pump and rigged a hose to the skimmer bucket. It works somewhat but not to my hopes and it is also not ascetically pleasing having a pump inside the pool.

[Watermom]

Use the Google search in the bottom of mine or Ben's signature boxes. It will search through all of the threads on Pool Forum and also Pool Solutions which is our sister website. Much better than the search box in the upper right! ;)

[The Brabarian]

Ok, very good. Thanks WaterMom!
I think I have the problem solved as best as I can.
I found an aftermarket skimmer that has an adapter that threads to the inside of the stock inflow cap, I never even noticed there being threads there until I tested the adapter size to see if it would fit on the original fitting.
Long story short, I now have a skimmer with a serious eddy in it that is clearing the surface in just under 10 minutes.
I'll just have to be diligent on watching the skimmer bucket so it doesn't clog and burn up my sand filter pump.

[Watermom]

Good deal. Glad you found one that will work for you!

[BigDave]

... I'll just have to be diligent on watching the skimmer bucket so it doesn't clog and burn up my sand filter pump.

The Intex skimmer bucket has a rubber flap at the bottom to prevent exactly that.

[The Brabarian]

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh. That is good to know. You've put my mind at rest.
Thank you!