Second Skimmer For Above Ground Pool

We just installed a used 21' x 41' Doughboy pool and were wondering if we should install 2 skimmers, 2 pumps and 2 filters in order to keep the pool cleaner. We are going to backfill around the pool and then surround it with concrete. We plan on burying the plumbing as well and putting the filter and pump in our detached garage.

In addition what is your recommendation for heating a pool that size?




Hi. The ideal set up for that pool would be one filter system with two returns. I would cap off the unused skimmer opening but use the second return. You will need a pump that is designed for an in ground pool to draw the water to a location other than next to the pool.

Two smaller filters, one at each end of the pool would work but it sounds like you want to do it right. That would be one good filter with a 2-speed, in ground style pump, one skimmer and two returns.

In over forty years of installing pools I only remember two times where we installed two separate filter systems. One was on a 21' x 41' Doughboy and the other was a 16' x 32' Doughboy. I think in both cases the salesman was wrong for recommending this setup. The extra money could have been put towards one outstanding system, instead of two cheap ones.

Any of the heaters designed for in ground pools would work fine. If you go with the above ground type heater it should be the biggest available. Your pool is just about as big as an above ground pool gets.