The deluxe kit works well with the Intex Easy Set or Bestway Fast Set pools, which have the inflatable rings at the top. The skimmer comes with a bracket, which fits those type pools, AND a bracket, which works with frame pools. (Read description to make sure both brackets are included in set you purchase.) Also make sure your filter pump handles at least 800 gph. Suggestions for best performance: ????1. Unless you are using a powerful filter, use the plug, which comes with the kit, to put INSIDE the second strainer cap/cover. The plug PURPOSELY has a hole in it, so it slows down the suction on that strainer, but increases the suction on the skimmer! (The same plug is used, if you connect a vacuum to the pool.) ????2. Because high temperatures can cause the inflated ring to lose air, be careful! You don’t want your entire skimmer to slip to a slanted position, which will cause the skimmer to suction air into your filter!! ▪️I discovered, if I tie the skimmer bar, where the nut is, that adjusts the height, to the strainer base, which goes through pool wall to attach to hose, it keeps the skimmer from flipping up, if the pool is left unattended. You can still change the height of skimmer, depending on water depth. I have used a “horse knot” but a regular, tight knot works fine. I wouldn’t trust a bow; the suction could untie it!! Make sure ends of tie are short enough, so they aren’t flowing into skimmer. ▪️????This year, I just used a small, ball-bungee cord to tie it down. Super easy! ▪️Also, make sure the bracket is fastened pretty tightly—not so tight it could hurt the ring, but secure enough, that it’s difficult to turn it on the ring. Remember…, the inflatable ring will lose air, at times, so if the bracket isn’t tight enough, the entire skimmer could tilt up, when you aren’t looking, if it isn’t tied down, and air will be suctioned into your filter!!! If it’s tied down well, and bracket is snug, you shouldn’t have problems! (I haven’t had it tilt, since I began tying it down!! Yay!!) ????3. The Blue case, which has the basket inside, MUST FLOAT a little above the white outer casing! I would suggest allowing 1-2” between blue top edge and white casing. Water will flow inside white casing a little, which also filters water. When the blue part floats freely, the water is suctioned over the top, pulling debris on top of the water into basket. (You will notice leaves and bugs gradually moving toward the skimmer and then flowing over the top. Once inside, they can’t get back out,…as long as pump is on. ????4. BEFORE TURNING OFF THE FILTER, grab the handle of basket and pull it and the blue casing COMPLETELY out of the main, white casing of skimmer and out of the pool to dump debris on the ground. Then, you can turn off filter, replacing the clean basket/blue casing back into position. If you turn the filter off first…., the debris in the basket, especially bugs, will flow back into the pool! ????????♀️ (Sometimes, we learn the hard way! ????) ????5. Keep chemicals/pool water balanced. I mainly use chlorine, stabilizer, and algaecide. Baking soda can be used to raise ph and alkalinity, if needed, which will improve clarity and stability. Run filter a few hours/day. I use shock (generally liquid) and algaecide, if I will be gone a few days (leaving filter off). I haven’t had to drain the pool or had any problems flats year or this year. (I bought the skimmer last year!!! Makes a difference!!) I don’t cover the pool anymore, either, since I have the skimmer. ????6. The handle on my basket broke during the second year of use. However, it still works great. Recently, I attached a strong cord, so I could have a handle for my basket again. (You can buy baskets on Amazon. Just make sure you get the right size.) My basket has worked for 2 years, and I only had the handle break. ♦️NOTE: This year, we purchased a sand filter, which was made for these pools, and I have been AMAZED how much easier it has been to keep the pool water clean, clear, and balanced! I run the filter a few hours a day (skimmer still attached, of course) and test the water 1-2 times/week, as long as it’s balanced. I keep chlorine tablets in a floater at all times, but I don’t use NEAR the amount of chemicals with the sand filter, as I did with the cartridge filter!!! Watch for sales, which is what we did. The Bestway cartridge filter worked well on our 18’ pool, but the sand filter paid for itself, since I haven’t had to use and purchase as many chemicals!!! ✏️ We live in the country (farm land and ranch area with a dirt/gravel road), so the skimmer has been amazing for us!! It skims leaves, bugs, grass, etc, into the basket, keeping our pool MUCH cleaner, since they don’t sink to the bottom. You might wonder, at first, if it’s really working, but watch as items make their way towards the skimmer! When you clean the skimmer, you will see how much debris it captured, especially, if you live in an area, where bugs and leaves are constantly getting in the pool!! I realized that I have only had to vacuum the pool after big wind/dirt or rain storms. (It has been extremely dry here!). Of course, if I have been gone a few days, which means the pump and skimmer weren’t turned on, I will need to vacuum the pool and run the filter/skimmer, before swimming. I used the skimmer on a bestway fast set, 18’ pool last year and an intex easy set, 15’ this year--using the SAME skimmer! I won’t have another pool without a skimmer!!
