ok i think i want to go automatic

[fog80]

This is year 4 and im getting a little tired of vacuuming multiple times a week because pine needles from my neighbors trees are getting into my ig pool.

I really really dont want to spend a lot of money but i want the best bang for the buck.....what cleaner should i be looking at?

[joliecharlie]

They aren't cheap but I am glad I bought a Blue Pearl.
It works great, easy to use, don't have to babysit it, I could go on and on.

Others on the forum sang the praise of Blue Pearl, I just decided to believe what I was reading from people I don't know from Adam's house cat...lo and behold they were right!!

I got it from PoolDr. com had free shipping, great return policy and an extra bag free. I didn't buy a cart, I use a Rubbermaid tub to store it.

[CarlD]

You don't HAVE to get a robotic. There are lots of automatic cleaners out there. I used to use (and still have) a Polaris 165 that's good for picking up the bigger stuff, but it takes a fistful of cotton balls for it to pick up finer sand and stuff. It doesn't brush the walls either.

During the fiasco last summer of my original Dolphin not working, I went back to using it and it still worked fine. But it's not nearly as potent as a robotic, which brushes the pool, and super-filters the water as it does so.

And it costs a lot less.

[aylad]

I'm a Polaris fan. There are those of us who love them and those of us who hate them...but I guess you're going to find that with anything.

Janet

[fog80]

Thanks guys. I think if I am going to get something I will do the robotic because I want something that will scrub the walls and polish the water.

For the price of the polaris Carl is talking about I can spend a few hundred more and get a used robotic off ebay.

I'll take a look at the blue pearl.....what i will probably end up doing is waiting till winter time and hope to get one cheap.

[cleancloths]

I have a polaris 380 sitting in my garage because an underground line broke. I replaced it with a blue pearl and am very happy I did. The blue pearl does such a far superior job to the polaris.

[CarlD]

Thanks guys. I think if I am going to get something I will do the robotic because I want something that will scrub the walls and polish the water.

For the price of the polaris Carl is talking about I can spend a few hundred more and get a used robotic off ebay.

I'll take a look at the blue pearl.....what i will probably end up doing is waiting till winter time and hope to get one cheap.

Ultimately, robotics do the best job. But you should know there are lots of alternatives--suction side, pressure side, pump-assisted, simple robots, and advanced robotics.

[iwannapool]

So exactly how do the robotic cleaners polish the water so well, is there a super fine filter in them? Does anyone know down to what size particle they filter?

[cleancloths]

I believe (but am not positive) that the filter bag on my blue pearl is either 10 or 20 microns. All I know is that I can put it in the water when there is no cleaning needed and the bag gets a nice coating of crap on it and the water is cleaner when it is done.

[ccostan]

So exactly how do the robotic cleaners polish the water so well, is there a super fine filter in them? Does anyone know down to what size particle they filter?

My Aquabot filters to 2 microns. [Editted out mistype of 20 microns]
http://www.fordst.com/thumbs/gadgets/aquabot%20climbing%20the%20walls.jpg

[iwannapool]

Isn't that about what a cart filter will filter too, ~20 microns? From what I've read here people seem to quote performance more inline with DE filters, ~6 to 10 microns.

[ccostan]

Isn't that about what a cart filter will filter too, ~20 microns? From what I've read here people seem to quote performance more inline with DE filters, ~6 to 10 microns.

Woops.. I meant 2 microns.

CARLO.:o

[iwannapool]

What type of filter element cleans down to 2 microns?

[ccostan]

What type of filter element cleans down to 2 microns?

It is a filter bag that all the water and debris is pushed through.

[fog80]

i see that there are many many robotic cleaners out there.

the dolphin, blue pearl, aquabot etc. How does one sort through all the options?

[NWMNMom]

I think "almost" everything being equal on performance of like type robotics, price is the tie breaker.

[ccostan]

I think "almost" everything being equal on performance of like type robotics, price is the tie breaker.

I'll only add availability to the criteria. I ended up getting my Aquabot because the pool store had it in stock and I wasn't going home without SOMETHING! (And I no longer by 'chemicals' from them):)

Carlo.

[NWMNMom]

Yep, theres that too. I have to pinch myself to stop from buying just so I don't go home emptyhanded - patience is not my long suit - wish I could order online to a direct portal into my house. lol. My DH would KILL me.