View Full Version : Which Vacuum For An 18' AG
I was thinking of buying an Aquabug, but the comments on here have me concerned.
I am leaning toward a Poolbuster because my pool uses those expensive cartridges that are a pain to clean, and I would not have to mess with any hoses.
I am open to all suggestions. I am looking for something that is quick and efficient, and minimal hassle.
ferretmom
05-25-2006, 10:51 AM
I bought a Wanda the Whale which is the same as Aqua Bug. Above ground 27'.
It does a very good job of vacuuming. So far it has not gotten stuck on the ladder. It does not pick up large leaves and if it does it gets stuck in the bottom and you have to pull her up off the bottom and flip her over to get them out. Same with sticks or twigs. You can tell when she gets stopped up as she will almost stop moving. It takes several hours to clean my pool really well and sometimes we have to get in there and guide it to a few places it misses. It even goes right up to the wall like it is going to take off up the side. Overall I am pleased with it for the price and it sure beats hand vacuuming. I paid 119.95 with free shipping from aquanet.net. I have had a polaris and while they are great for leaves and larger things, it did not get the fine dirt on the bottom even with the cotton balls in the bag.
prh129
05-25-2006, 11:16 AM
I bought an Aquabug and have been using it over the past three weeks - I have a 24' AG and so far it has done a good job although I have not put the ladder in yet (we're just starting to get warm weather up here and pool water this morning was only 65 degrees). I have not had leaves in the pool but oak tree droppings and loads of pollen. Once I found that after a few hours, there was still dirt in areas of the pool but after hand vacuuming, I found that the pollen dust stirs up easily when something comes through and then awhile later it will settle again so it wasn't a problem with the Aquabug. If you get a lot of big leaves then the Aquabug looks like it would clog easily but if you don't it should do a good job for the money.
Peter
How many more filters are you going through when you vacuum, and Could some one comment on the Pool buster.
aylad
05-27-2006, 02:22 PM
CarlD has a poolbuster and has raved about it for a year or so now, so I finally got mine plugged in and charged, and I plan to go out and put it to use here shortly!
Janet
shippy1973
05-29-2006, 07:00 PM
CarlD has a poolbuster and has raved about it for a year or so now, so I finally got mine plugged in and charged, and I plan to go out and put it to use here shortly!
Janet
What is the verdict Janet and what model did you get? I am VERY close to buying one for my every day cleaning but another positive review certainly helps...
IMherDad
05-29-2006, 08:09 PM
We are waiting for our Pool Buster CG to arrive hopefully this week. After reading so many good reviews about it, we wanted to give this a try.
When it arrives I will post back what we find out.
prh129
05-30-2006, 07:13 PM
How many more filters are you going through when you vacuum.
I've been using a scum sock in my skimmer basket all the time since there is a lot of pollen out. I usually rinse it out at least once a day. I did find that during a recent vacuuming that the pollen and other junk must have clogged the sock and the suction from the pump caused the skimmer basket to start to split. I opened the filter up last weekend and it didn't look that bad so a skimmer sock is a definite plus if you have a cartridge filter.
Peter
I've been using a scum sock in my skimmer basket all the time since there is a lot of pollen out. I usually rinse it out at least once a day. I did find that during a recent vacuuming that the pollen and other junk must have clogged the sock and the suction from the pump caused the skimmer basket to start to split. I opened the filter up last weekend and it didn't look that bad so a skimmer sock is a definite plus if you have a cartridge filter.
Peter
What's a skimmer sock, and why would it reduce the crud getting to the filter?
gregugadawg
05-30-2006, 10:00 PM
robokleen like the dolphin but for abovegrounds
Karen_in_TN
05-31-2006, 12:09 AM
We went with Diver Dave. (Okay, I just wanted to be able to say I had a pool boy and his name is Dave. LOL) We have been very satistied with it. He doesn't get stuck on the steps at all, and even cleans good beside them, which suprised me. It usually takes him about 1 and 1/2 to 2 hours to thouroughly clean our 18' AG. He even does a good job on the cove. We had a slight problem with him at first wanting to flip over and roll around. He would usually upright himself and take off again. Our local pool store (good store, where we bought him) suggested we take the eyeball out of the return to slow down the current (we have a 1 1/2hp pump) and he works perfectly now. I have since found the "sweet" spot where I can aim my jet so it does't flip him over.
poolbuoy
05-31-2006, 06:22 AM
I bought the Pool Buster and it works very well, It got the Oak twizlers off the bottom if any get that far. I have not bought the optional fine bag yet. Also bought the SLIME BAG three pak and they filter the fine stuff only it looks kind of funny on the return line hanging there.
cvoytek
05-31-2006, 10:04 AM
I received a robo clean from costco last week and have used it 3 times. I am very happy so far as it has picked up everything. I don't have my steps in yet so I can't tell you if it will get stuck. Also - I read a lot of bad things about them failing (a fuse or something in older models) but I am hoping I got a good one. I got it from costco.com b/c of the price and return policy. Will post if it stops working or I have any issues.
prh129
05-31-2006, 11:51 AM
What's a skimmer sock, and why would it reduce the crud getting to the filter?
A skimmmer sock (scum sock) is a little cloth bag with an elastic band around the top. It fits in the skimmer basket and the elastic top fits over the basket edge and holds it in place. The fabric is able to trap debris much smaller than the skimmer basket can - for example the skimmer basket does fine for catching leaves and bugs but pollen will go through the basket. The scum sock is able to catch pollen and other smaller stuff which would normally go to your filter.
It's a lot easier to rinse out the sock than it is to open the filter and clean a cartridge so anything it saves is a plus.
Peter
A skimmmer sock (scum sock) is a little cloth bag with an elastic band around the top. It fits in the skimmer basket and the elastic top fits over the basket edge and holds it in place. The fabric is able to trap debris much smaller than the skimmer basket can - for example the skimmer basket does fine for catching leaves and bugs but pollen will go through the basket. The scum sock is able to catch pollen and other smaller stuff which would normally go to your filter.
It's a lot easier to rinse out the sock than it is to open the filter and clean a cartridge so anything it saves is a plus.
Peter
If it goes on the skimmer how does help with vacuuming?
gregugadawg
05-31-2006, 09:21 PM
Hey saw your post about robokleen, that was a problem with them last year. It was the first year with them, and pretty much every single one they made the fuse would blow the first few times it was used. Either that or water would get in the computer insides. So far this year I think robokleen is fixed. Smartpool has a very good service center and is very fair about fixing stuff so I wouldn't stress out a whole lot. But you are right abot what you said.
prh129
06-01-2006, 11:32 AM
If it goes on the skimmer how does help with vacuuming?
The Aquabug is a suction side cleaner so it plugs into the vacuum port on the skimmer. Anything that the Aquabug sucks up goes through the skimmer basket. The scum sock catches the smaller dirt and debris instead of it going to the filter.
Peter