anyone have any experience with the Skim Shark?

[gwrace1]

Well I decided to be a guinea pig for all three products. I ordered the Skim Shark, Pool Devil and PoolSkim. I'll report back results after doing some testing with each.

[gwrace1]

Well I received the Skim Shark from In the Swim this weekend. About the only thing good I can say about it is, it's cute. The little propeller barely has enough power to do anything but give it a very slow push across the pool. The plastic filter basket has holes large enough so that a lot of small top debris like pollen and insects (ants) go right through it. There is no suction for the debris. The leaves are gathered into the mouth during the slow movement across the pool. After charging it for the recommended time I could only get about an hour's worth of run time. I would not recommend this product to anyone unless you like it's "cute appeal" Mine is going back to In the swim on Monday. It's not a real pool cleaner.

[gwrace1]

Well I received my PoolSkim yesterday only to be disappointed again. The product only comes with 2 inch pvc fittings even though it is marketed as working on both inground and above ground pools. If you have an above ground pool with standard 1.5 inch return fittings you will have to order their adapter for $5 plus 2 dollars shipping. I plan to make a trip to Lowes on the way home to see if I can come up with some fittings to make it work.

[CAL7]

Well I received my PoolSkim yesterday only to be disappointed again. The product only comes with 2 inch pvc fittings even though it is marketed as working on both inground and above ground pools. If you have an above ground pool with standard 1.5 inch return fittings you will have to order their adapter for $5 plus 2 dollars shipping. I plan to make a trip to Lowes on the way home to see if I can come up with some fittings to make it work.

That's really strange. Their web site (same paragraph you quote above) says, "...It comes with a range of fittings ...". You would think 1.5" returns would be pretty standard.

I anxiously await your report once you get it hooked in.

[waldreps]

gwrace1,

Thanks for being the guinea pig for us all. That is very helpful info and is very nice of you to do.

Stacy

[gwrace1]

Well I was able to complete the installation today. I need to correct a statement I made earlier about the fittings that came with the PoolSkim. As it turns out it DID COME with all the right fittings. My three year old daughter managed to get to the package before I did. When I got home from work I found the box open. I found the missing fitting in her room while picking up toys today.

Anyway I'm pleased to say that the PoolSkim works as advertised. We have a 33' round AGP rated at 26000 gallons. It does require some adjustments to the placement and angle of the fittings until you get everything nice and level. I have a 1.5 HP 2 speed pump with two returns. Water pressure between the returns is controlled by a 3 way valve. The first return is for an Aqualumintor with fountain. The second feeds into the standard pool return. On low speed I had to kill the flow to the fountain on the aqualuminator to provide enough water pressure for the PoolSkim. On high speed water pressure was more then enough to run both returns.

It reminds me of a miniature toilet bowl the way it swallows up everything in site. It did not have any problems with insects, leaves, sticks, pollen or any other debris floating on the pool surface. It was able to maintain a nice gentle flow of water to keep things moving towards the opening.

All in all very happy with the product. Highly recommended.

[leejp]

gwrace1...

Thanks for the review!!! I probably would have made the purchase anyway but your comments make it a slam dunk! I'll get one as soon as I remove my loo-loc cover (pump/filter is running but it's still a wee bit cold here in the Northeast and the Norway Maples have not stopped dropping yet).

[Water_man]

Hi,

Thanks for your helpful review of both the Skim Shark and Pool Skim.
I placed an order for Skim Shark with "In the Swim", but since it is back ordered I did a search and found this great forum. Now I’m glad that it’s back ordered. Seems that the Pool Skim is the only game in town for auto surface skimming, isn’t it?

I have a question for you about the fitting. I just bought this house with a 20 year old, 22k gallon IGP and the inlets are just round smooth holes about 1” in diameter with no thread inside or outside. Will it be possible to fit the Pool Skim in?
I have lots of leaves and I’m sick and tired of manual skimming.
Just bought the Dolphin Diagnostic ($700 at inyopool.com) and I love it! Highly recommended.
The other option was the Aquabot but the Dolphin seems a better machine.

Well I was able to complete the installation today. I need to correct a statement I made earlier about the fittings that came with the PoolSkim. As it turns out it DID COME with all the right fittings. My three year old daughter managed to get to the package before I did. When I got home from work I found the box open. I found the missing fitting in her room while picking up toys today.

Anyway I'm pleased to say that the PoolSkim works as advertised. We have a 33' round AGP rated at 26000 gallons. It does require some adjustments to the placement and angle of the fittings until you get everything nice and level. I have a 1.5 HP 2 speed pump with two returns. Water pressure between the returns is controlled by a 3 way valve. The first return is for an Aqualumintor with fountain. The second feeds into the standard pool return. On low speed I had to kill the flow to the fountain on the aqualuminator to provide enough water pressure for the PoolSkim. On high speed water pressure was more then enough to run both returns.

It reminds me of a miniature toilet bowl the way it swallows up everything in site. It did not have any problems with insects, leaves, sticks, pollen or any other debris floating on the pool surface. It was able to maintain a nice gentle flow of water to keep things moving towards the opening.

All in all very happy with the product. Highly recommended.