Hayward SP1091LX Dyna-Skim Above-Ground Pool Skimmer

I bought this for my Bestway metal pole above ground pool which is 18' x 48", since the dual inlets get clogged too easy, and we were changing out the filter materials almost weekly due to debris and such, and the pool was never as clean as it should have been for a sand filter pump system.Super easy to install as long as you take your time, and don't get into a rush to finish it.I found it helpful to connect the poolside plate to the actual skimmer body, then mark which side was up on the back side of the poolside plate before doing anything else.Then took a sharpie and marked the inside of the plate and all 10 holes on the inside of the pool liner. Then tooka VERY sharp tiny exacto blade and cut the inside square, then took a sharp decking screw and premade the holes.Then fit the INTACT butterfly gasket into the hole and took the flat face screws and started connecting the poolside plate to the inside of the liner through the gasket and left a small amount of screw sticking out.Then it was easy to line up the screws and connect it all together before connecting it to the pump.Instead of excess hosing, it was easy to connect PVC piping to the bottom of the skimmer body with the connectors, and the rigidity of the pipe also helps support the skimmer weight and helps stabilize it. It was an easy trip to the hardware store for pipe and connectors as well as pipe tape.I also ordered extra bung plugs, and put them inside and outside the pool in the original inlet holes, then covered with clear flex seal tape when it was a warm, sunny day.As soon as everything is up and running, I'll be sure to edit this with pictures for clarity.

A must have for any above ground pool. Easy to install and functions perfectly. Bought some extra hoses and fittings to get it all set up and am super pleased with it.

Absolutely worth it easy to install The directional eyeball is a nice added feature to that nobody really talks about. I added it on my pool for an extra return line and I couldn’t be happier. This is the second purchase you need to make for your above ground pool after upgrading the filtration system.

Added this to my Intex pool instead of the return ports. Works great with my pool vac. Used pool and Spa silicone instead of the supplied gasket. No problems at all. Make sure to seal front (inside) plate and back (outside) side. Don't cut pool liner until all screws are installed and silicone is set up.

If you have an above ground pool you struggle to keep clean or work too hard to maintain, just order this now. You will not be disappointed.Let's break review and install into two parts.... first:We have a BestWay 24' oval pool that after trying several pump systems, we just couldn't keep clean fast enough for kids to use it. It was a daily burden trying to skim, vac and clean cartridge filters....even oversized cartridge filters to prevent the dreaded green water taking over.With a 3000gph pump, this thing cleans to pool to crystal clear in 1 hour max, and that is using skimmer input only and two side ports plugged with those T shape caps. When you consider you can set the pump timer (Intex sand unit around .7-.8HP) to 1 hour maybe twice per day, the electrical savings is considerable versus running a smaller pump it came with for 8hrs and not getting results.Second - Install:Seriously, take your time but do not be afraid of trying this. Those pool liners are much tougher than you think. Here are some tricks to help you get this right.You want this basket on the most vertical part of the liner opposite the return water jet on the pool. You may have a directional jet which you should point away from this basket and then mount the basket on the opposite end of the pool.Assemble the trim ring with all the screws loosely before you do the install. Do not tighten them. The screws cut the threads in the plastic holes and you want this done before you're fumbling with screws in the pool. Then remove and set aside.Remember the water can't go to the top of the skimmer opening so you have to mount it higher on the liner. I put the top screw holes between the first two rows of "stitching" where the liner changes from white to the outside pool color.Fill the pool at least half way. It needs to have weight on the liner and be stretched out.Get in the pool, place the inner trim square where you know the basket will sit more vertical on the outside (towards the 45 degree sides of the end if you have and oval pool with U pipes along the sides), use the seam as alignment, then mark the top and bottom outer screw holes with a sharpie. Set the ring aside.Here is where I divert from suggestions I've seen elsewhere. A) I don't want to be trying to force a "blunt object" through the liner as the directions state. That is crazy. B) I don't want to cut little "X's" for screw holes to encourage ripping in those directions. So..... with a few extra hands, get a 1/8-3/16" size flat punch or I suppose you could cut an 8D or larger nail flat, grab it tightly in a vice grip (did I say tight?!?), heat it with a propane torch (helper holds torch on rail of pool) then use punch to melt a clean round hole through those 4 sharpie marks. Re-heat for each one. Carefully have helper set punch outside pool.Install the basket without the gasket seal with the 4 screws and make them snug but not fully tightened. Don't split the gasket like a reviews and videos show. There is no reason to do that.Change out your utility knife blade to new, double check you got the inner and outer basket lined up and didn't accidentally put the screws in misaligned. Cut an "X" slowly in the center of the opening so you can see into the basket (see both sides of the cut to verify parts are aligned perfectly as you are cutting) and pull tension on the 4 pieces as you cut along the inside trim plate in the pool slowly and carefully, and it will cut exactly to the size of the basket opening. Use the inner plate as your guide to shave the liner tight to the plastic housing. Go slow. Take a breath...now....Get the punch and helper again, heat it and melt through the remaining screw holes using the installed plate as your guide. Just pop through and don't melt the basket housing or inner plate. Put the torch and punch far away when done.Remove the 4 screws while supporting the outer housing, set aside and now install the gasket into the opening. Line up housing and trim ring inside pool, install all screws and snug them up only. Don't overtighten them. You can always go a 2nd round if it drips outside.Now my only criticism of this basket....the connection. The supplied 1.5" threaded to barbed adapter is not great. The threads are loose even with 8-9 layers of teflon tape and there is only 1 barbed ridge on the fitting. There are threads on the outside of downspout, but after ordering numerous adapters, none of them worked well. Why, Hayward? Just put normal 2" PVC thread on it....that is what we all want and need. You can maintain your larger metric fine threat proprietary connector above the 2" threads just fine. We all want a way to get to a 2" PVC ball valve or gate valve. 1.5" PVC ball valves are rarely "full flow" and restrict the opening.As a workaround, stop at your hardware store and get a male threaded 1.5 to hose barb adapter, 2 clamps and more Teflon tape. Also save yourself $65 in parts and get a $3 "utility tub stopper" which fits perfectly under the basket to block water for pump/filter work.I put a 3" chlorine tablet in the basket which has kept the pool at the perfect level for 2 weeks now.Run filter and enjoy the thought of never touching that skimmer net.