go to swimmingpoollearning.com email David but if you are using a skimmer you should be fine as it has a skimmer hookup. Go to youtube and type in ipp pool cleaner and David should come up as he is showing the cleaner and skimmer adapter and since you have a soft sided pool that may be the way to go. To use a side port that screws into the side of the pool itself, You would have to be able to have a solid surface for that to plug into. Skimmer should be just fine. Just remember to get enough hose