Looking to buy automatic pool cleaner 4 IG pool

[ddawnwes]

I just had a 20x40 vinyl lined pool installed at the end of last year. I'm looking to purchase an automatic pool cleaner, but I would like some advise on which one to go for. Any suggestions would be greatly appeciated!

[CarlD]

Can you be more specific? They range from suction side, to return side (more powerful) to external pump driven, to robotic, to remote controlled robotic, to battery-powered wireless remote controlled robotic.

They range in price from $100 to thousands.

What do you want it to do? Just vacuum? Vacuum and filter the water? Vacuum, filter and brush the pool for you?

There's lots of choices and levels.

[ddawnwes]

I didn't realize there were so many kinds! I want something that will vacuum the bottom and sides of the pool. I want to best bang for my buck and not something that I will have to replace in a couple of years. I live in IN, so I will only be using it during the summer months. Also, I could have a leaf issue later in the swim season.

[nater]

Hi ddawnwes,

Ultimately, only you can decide which kind fits your needs. You can search these forums for specific cleaner models to see what people think, then make a pro/con list.

Here are some of the things I thought about before buying my Dolphin robotic cleaner. I've never used one of the other types, so my experience is limited. Hopefully others will expand this list based on experience:

Robots:
Pros:
1). Low labor to use (carry it to the pool, unwind the cord, clean the bag, carry back to storage, etc)
2). They greatly improve water circulation
3). Cleans the sides and water line
4). Do a good job of "polishing" the water, they filter to a smaller particle size than my sand filter with DE added.
5). No extra wear and tear on pool pump, no booster pump needed, the stuff they pick up stays out of the filter.
Cons:
1). Expensive. (I was lucky and found a good deal during the off season on ebay)
2). Complex electronics and wear parts (brushes, drive belts, etc), give the potential for failure and repair expense.

Suction side cleaners:
Pros
1). Cheaper option
Cons:
1). Everything goes to the filter, more frequent backwashing, etc (not a big deal unless water is very expensive where you live)
2). More setup, tear down time when you want to swim
3). Won't clean sides or waterline (I'm starting to sound like an advertisement for robots )

Pressure side cleaners:
Cons: In addition to the list above, [edit] some may require [edit] a booster pump to operate.

People on this forum have had good luck with a device called "the Poolbuster". Its like a dirt devil for your pool. The prices have gone up quite a bit, and the Commercial model is roughly $300. They have a smaller, less powerful unit this year called "the Pool Broom". I may get that just to hit my steps and to pick up stray bugs, dirt that don't require a full cleaning.

[drogers]

(snip)
Pressure side cleaners:
Cons: In addition to the list above, they require a booster pump to operate.
(/snip)

That's actually not very accurate - pressure side cleaners include most of the advantages of robots, and are easier to use. Cons that are NOT associated with pressure side cleaners include

1). Complex electronics and wear parts (brushes, drive belts, etc), give the potential for failure and repair expense.
- Ok, there are a handful of cheap parts that may have to be replaced every 3-8 years, but no electronics.
2). Everything goes to the filter, more frequent backwashing, etc (not a big deal unless water is very expensive where you live)
3). More setup, tear down time when you want to swim
4). Won't clean sides or waterline


Pressure side cleaners are designed to stay in the pool 24/7, and the only time you have to touch them is if you *want* to pull it out before swimming. They have their own fine mesh bags that catch everything they suck up (yes, pressure side cleaners suck - they do so using the venturi effect), and sweeper tails that promote circulation and get fine sand/grit off the floor so it can be filtered.

IMHO, a good pressure side cleaner will do almost as nice a job as a robot, and be much easier to use and more reliable... Some of the cleanest pools I've ever seen have used polaris and legend PS cleaners.

[CanuckPool]

We have a kreepy crawly suction side that came with our pool. I don't know if other cleaners run into this problem, but it does tend to get stuck in certain areas. For this reason, I kinda have to be around, especially when it gets stuck near or above the water line and starts sucking air... then the pump looses its prime and well, its a pain in the butt. I think I may just hand vacumn the pool this year, its only a 16x34 and I dont have any leaf problems. On the pro side, they are very cheap and if you can get yours set up properly and it "likes" your pool shape then you could go for it.
I was also told the suction vibration is not too good for your pipes in the long term.