New member with a question

[PapaX5]

Hello, I have a 20' X 48" round Intex AGP. I've had the pool for two years and added a 16" Intex sand filter last year. Looking to install a through wall skimmer and hard plumb the pool.
One question I have is: Does the PVC need to route down from the pump to touch the ground for support, or is it strong enough to just run straight from the pump to the pool and up to the skimmer and return?
Looking forward to posting with some folks that have "been there, done that".
Thanks in advance.

Tim D
Southeast Alabama

[Watermom]

Hi, Tim, and welcome to the Pool Forum! I am not the resident plumber around here so you don't want my advice on this question. But, just wanted to pop in here and say hello and tell you that we are glad to have you join us! Someone else will chime in who can advise you about this.

[BigDave]

Is this a soft wall pool? If it is, don't plumb it with PVC or even stiff hose. Soft side pools need to move.
Could you send us more info about the thru-the-wall skimmer?

[PapaX5]

Thanks for the Welcome!!!
The pool is an Intex Ultra Frame and has a vinyl liner.
The skimmer is a Heritage wide mouth through wall skimmer.
I have not installed the skimmer yet. Hoping to get started this coming weekend.

[PoolDoc]

Just to reiterate: do NOT 'hard plumb' a soft side pool. Doing so will NOT work out well for you.

If you want to hard plumb a pump and filter and then use AG flex hoses to connect between the hard pipe and the pool, I suppose that would be OK.

[BigDave]

I'm pretty sure that skimmer is meant for a standard steel-wall AG pool. I fear cutting a large hole in the soft pool wall will lead to failure. What will happen if the pool suddenly empties?
Please only use fittings and parts made for soft side pools.

[PapaX5]

Wow. Thanks for the heads up and the info.
I guess it's back to the drawing board for me.
Will research the AG hoses and think about going that route.
Thank you all again for your input.

Tim D.