How to Install a Skimmer on Your DIY Hot Tub or Plunge Pool

If you’re building a DIY hot tub or plunge pool, installing a skimmer is an essential step to ensure proper water circulation and cleanliness. The skimmer plays a crucial role in removing debris and helping you maintain the right water level. 

In this guide, I’ll take you through everything you need to know about installing a skimmer, from understanding what it does to best practices to ensure a seamless setup.

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What Does a Skimmer Do?

A skimmer is an essential component of a hot tub or pool’s circulation system and serves two main purposes. 

1. Debris Collection and Filtration
2. Water Level Regulation

Debris Collection and Filtration

Positioned at the water’s surface, the skimmer collects floating debris such as leaves, insects, and other large particles in its skimmer basket. At the same time, smaller contaminants like oils, lotions, and fine particulates are drawn into the skimmer through the pump’s inward suction. 

These impurities are then directed into the filtration system, where they are trapped, preventing them from recirculating in the water. The skimmer works alongside the bottom drains, which pull water from the base of the tub or pool, ensuring a balanced flow. 

In larger pools, skimmers and bottom drains are typically placed on separate suction lines controlled by a manifold, allowing for adjustable water intake distribution. In hot tubs, they may be connected together, depending on the tub’s size and design.

Water Level Regulation

The second crucial function of the skimmer is to regulate water height. Ideally, the water level should align with the center of the skimmer opening, providing enough capacity to accommodate displacement when you enter the tub. 

This prevents excessive water overflow while maintaining optimal circulation efficiency. By keeping the water level at the correct height, the skimmer ensures that the filtration system operates effectively and maintains the desired

Choosing the Right Skimmer

For DIY hot tubs and plunge pools, I recommend using concrete skimmers rather than liner skimmers. Concrete skimmers are designed to be built into solid concrete or block walls, making them ideal for durable, long-lasting installations.

They look something like this.

How to Install a Skimmer

Many DIY builders have asked about skimmer installation, so here’s a step-by-step guide to getting it right:

Step 1: Setting the Correct Height

One of the most critical aspects of skimmer installation is positioning it at the right height. The center of the skimmer should align with the intended water level of your hot tub or plunge pool. This ensures proper skimming action and accounts for water displacement.

Pro tip: Double-check your measurements before setting the skimmer in place. A small mistake—such as positioning it too high or too low—can affect the overall functionality and appearance of your hot tub. Trust me, I had to learn this the hard way but hey, at least you get to learn from my mistake!

Step 2: Ensuring Proper Wall Integration

Since DIY hot tubs are smaller than pools, bulky skimmer extension throats can be visually unappealing. Instead of using an oversized extension throat, consider building out the skimmer neck in concrete to seamlessly integrate it into the wall. 

However, since hot tubs tend to be smaller, then huge extension throats will just look ugly. Which is why I suggest that if your wall is thicker than the skimmer than you build out. 

For example, one of our DIY builders, Amanda, recently started a project in New Orleans. She encountered a situation where the skimmer’s neck was shorter than the wall thickness. The solution? Extending the skimmer’s opening with concrete, creating a clean, flush finish.

Step 3: Tiling Around the Skimmer

Once the skimmer is set in place, you can improve its appearance by tiling around the opening. Some builders even tile over the plastic skimmer face, leaving only the water entry visible. This approach provides a polished, professional finish while keeping the skimmer securely in place.

For instance, Trey, another DIY hot tub builder from Germany, built his skimmer into a cylindrical tub and tiled around the edges. The result? A seamless, aesthetically pleasing look that blends perfectly with the hot tub’s design.

Should You Use the Skimmer for Chemical Dispensing?

A common debate in the DIY hot tub community is whether to add chemicals directly into the skimmer. Some prefer using floating dispensers, while others (including myself) find it convenient to place chemicals in the skimmer and I’ve found no harm in doing so. 

Ultimately, it’s a personal choice, but be sure to research best practices to avoid potential issues.

Final Thoughts

Installing a skimmer correctly will improve your DIY hot tub’s efficiency and overall experience. By carefully planning its height, integrating it properly into your wall, and finishing with clean tiling, you can achieve a professional-looking installation.

As always, if you’re tackling your own DIY hot tub or plunge pool project, and need some help then I’m always here! Or if you’re looking for parts then you can always check out Parts4Tubs!

Happy Hot Tubbin!

Can I Help You?

If I can help you in any way I would love to hear from you. You can get in touch using the form below.

Thanks - Andi

 

Hi, Andi here. I own Buildahottub.com and also write all of the articles and info pages on the site. Some years back now, I built my own hot tub but struggled to find the information I needed. So, once my tub was complete, I started this website to help others in their own pursuit of hot tub and plunge pools DIY building information.

Fast forward to 2025, I've helped over 1400+ DIY customers just like you all over the world build hot tubs and pools. Have a good look around the site, there are lots of resources here. Please do get in touch if I can help you. - Cheers, Andi