In most areas, if you are supposed to an electrical building permit and you don't, your HO insurance won't cover an accident.

It's a false economy.

With your run, you may even go to #10 wire. Plus you should absolutely go with a GFCI breaker--that protects the whole circuit, not just the outlet. Again, the $20 or $30 more is cheap insurance.

There is also available ground contact wire which does not, I believe, require conduit. It's designed for wet and outdoor environments where the outer sheath is molded around the inner conductors, not just a shell around them.

Electricians do this stuff all the time--it's a regular part of their business. Find a good one.

BTW, Poconos and W'mom are spot-on about the pump and filter.