We have a 20’ Intex circular pool with a Circupool salt system. I’m using an old water jet vac that works ok, but I’d like something better. Any advice on a good vacuum for an above ground pool?
Above ground vacuum
- Thread starter olddaddy
- Start date
- Jun 22, 2014
- 51,581
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Hello! 
You may have already made a purchase by now, but wanted to check if you resolved your vacuum (choice) issue.
You may have already made a purchase by now, but wanted to check if you resolved your vacuum (choice) issue.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 15,396
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Are you wanting a manual vac or something more automatic? Like a robot, suction side or pressure side vac?
Anything that would keep it clean. We have one that uses a water jet to suction into a strainer bag, works ok, but not great. Manual or automatic, whatever works.
Nothing yet.Hello!
- Jun 22, 2014
- 51,581
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
I see you have a good pump so you should be able to get a good amount of suction going. I had a Wanda the Whale and loved her! She did a good job.
- Jun 1, 2018
- 15,396
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
Just a normal manual vac setup will work better than the water hose thing you’re describing.
You’ll likely need a normal sized pole, hose, and the weighted vac head and possibly a cone to attach it to the suction port unless you have a skimmer.
This will carry the debris to your filter or to waste depending upon what you want.
Alternatively there are suction side automatic wheeled cleaners like wanda the whale$$, that kim mentioned - there are other flavors, intex zx50 $$,
zodiac mx6$$$, hayward’s “the pool cleaner” $$$ to name a few ,
& what i call mamba/kreepy krauly type cleaners that don’t have wheels $$-$$$
All of these suction side cleaners mentioned above send debris to your filter. I believe they all usually come with hoses. You would connect them in the same way as a manual vac.
Next is pressure side cleaners that don’t require a booster pump:
Intex automatic cleaners $$ (there are multiple options) - i ran one for years and was satisfied with its performance for the price.
Polaris 65 $$
& the Polaris 360 $$$
They connect to your return jet (pressure side of the pump)
They collect debris in a bag or basket that must be emptied.
Both suction side & pressure side cleaners need the pool pump to operate.
3rd option- robotic cleaners:
Electric Dolphin E10/s50 or equivalent is very popular with basic above ground pools
They do cost usually $400 + depending upon the model.
There’s also Battery operated options like aiper & wybot, some models can be had for under $200 but don’t provide the deep clean of a plug in model. The jury is still out on longevity.
Robotic cleaners are totally independent- the pump doesn’t need to be running & they collect the debris on board.
The choice just depends on your budget & expectations.
I loved my dolphin nautilus cc but not everyone can afford that.
I went the refurbished route & saved a little money that way. Then after that one bit the dust after 3.25 seasons of daily service I aquired an equivalent model used for a couple hundred bucks.
While my robot was out of service I deployed my old intex auto cleaner.
*Every pool owner should have a way to manually vac the pool even if they rarely use it. There’s situations that an automatic cleaner just can’t tackle sometimes.
* not an exhaustive list but something to get you started
You’ll likely need a normal sized pole, hose, and the weighted vac head and possibly a cone to attach it to the suction port unless you have a skimmer.
This will carry the debris to your filter or to waste depending upon what you want.
Alternatively there are suction side automatic wheeled cleaners like wanda the whale$$, that kim mentioned - there are other flavors, intex zx50 $$,
zodiac mx6$$$, hayward’s “the pool cleaner” $$$ to name a few ,
& what i call mamba/kreepy krauly type cleaners that don’t have wheels $$-$$$
All of these suction side cleaners mentioned above send debris to your filter. I believe they all usually come with hoses. You would connect them in the same way as a manual vac.
Next is pressure side cleaners that don’t require a booster pump:
Intex automatic cleaners $$ (there are multiple options) - i ran one for years and was satisfied with its performance for the price.
Polaris 65 $$
& the Polaris 360 $$$
They connect to your return jet (pressure side of the pump)
They collect debris in a bag or basket that must be emptied.
Both suction side & pressure side cleaners need the pool pump to operate.
3rd option- robotic cleaners:
Electric Dolphin E10/s50 or equivalent is very popular with basic above ground pools
They do cost usually $400 + depending upon the model.
There’s also Battery operated options like aiper & wybot, some models can be had for under $200 but don’t provide the deep clean of a plug in model. The jury is still out on longevity.
Robotic cleaners are totally independent- the pump doesn’t need to be running & they collect the debris on board.
The choice just depends on your budget & expectations.
I loved my dolphin nautilus cc but not everyone can afford that.
I went the refurbished route & saved a little money that way. Then after that one bit the dust after 3.25 seasons of daily service I aquired an equivalent model used for a couple hundred bucks.
While my robot was out of service I deployed my old intex auto cleaner.
*Every pool owner should have a way to manually vac the pool even if they rarely use it. There’s situations that an automatic cleaner just can’t tackle sometimes.
* not an exhaustive list but something to get you started
Last edited:
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