MX8 Compatible...or not?

Hi;

Thanks for all the info I have gathered from this forum. There really are people out there that are passionate about doing things right, and these are the people I prefer to learn from!

My question is this: I recently purchased and installed an Intex 15x48 AG Vinyl Pool. Before I even installed it, I already upgraded the pump to the Intex 1200GPH Sand Filter Pump. I cut the lining to accommodate the larger inlet and outlet (thanks to some info here on how). I also purchased the Intex Solar Cover and the Deluxe Maintenance Kit.

Everything is going extremely well. The water is reaching temperatures of up to 32 deg C (pool only in sun for 6 hours a day), the water remains crystal clear but...leaves, bugs and other fine debris is becoming a hassle, one I currently deal with by vacuuming the pool once a week, manually. I don't want to do this anymore.

Being that I am in South Africa, our options for automatic pool cleaners here are extremely limited. In fact so limited, that the only one I was able to find (without having to import at huge additional costs) seems to be the Baracuda (Zodiac) MX8. Apparently it is safe for use in AG vinyl pools and requires very little suction to operate effectively.

My questions are;

1.) Is the MX8 safe for use in my pool set-up?
2.) Can the MX8 be connected to the Intex set-up out of the box, or would I require some sort of adapter? My vacuum side now has the large (new twist top) plunger valve installed, and I have both the smaller and larger adapters that came with the basic and the deluxe maintenance kits. I really do not want to cut and fit a skimmer box.
3.) Will the MX8 be able to climb my pools sides (doubt it)?
4.) Would I need to install an in-line leaf catcher?
5.) If there are better options, please list them (please remember to keep it relative to what I can find in South Africa, and not to what I would have to import)

Thanks in advance!!! :)

I don't know that I can answer your questions but the first one I have is whether your Intex is a donut or frame pool. If it's a donut I do not see how you can use a robotic cleaner of any type.

I believe you can get a floating skimmer that doesn't require cutting the pool. Getting it to you may be the toughest part. Usually, it's the Customs and duties that are the toughest part, though the only time I've been to your country we sailed right through them. A skimmer will definitely help keep your water cleaner.

But, if you CAN get it, what can make your manual vacuuming FAR easier is a Pool Blaster, a rechargeable water vacuum that resembles the old DustBuster hand vacs. I can even do my 16x40 with it in about 15 minutes. It's still manual, but it's by far the easiest and most effective manual vacuum. You can even get in the pool and use it--I do that all the time to spot clean. But it mounts on a pool pole with a standard mount.