Got a Hayward Leaf Catcher to go with my new side suction poolvergnuegen. I have to use all my muscle strength in conjunction with a screw driver to pry the lid away from the base. I mean this thing is seriously TIGHT. Additionally, the rubber gasket has already broken. Is this normal for these things, or did I get a dud? Is there a different brand or product that works a little easier? It DOES do the job, but, servicing it seriously is a nightmare.
Advice on a Good In-line Leaf Catcher?
- Thread starter DesertSloth
- Start date
- May 23, 2015
- 25,681
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
I have a small small Hayward 560 and, yes, the lid is tight, but it doesn't require that much force. Make sure the o-ring is lubed with silicone grease as that will help it to slide freely from the plastic surfaces.
I have used the larger Hayward canister as well, but it's seen better days and I like the smaller one a lot better. I have also used the flip-top Pentair version but, honestly speaking, it doesn't appear to be well built and I can easily see the hinges and spring clip breaking after a season.
You have to be careful with the big canisters because they have a tendency to sink. I included a Pentair hose weight on one end and a chopped up section of pool noodle on the other end to keep the leaf trap at the perfect orientation on the pool surface -
I have used the larger Hayward canister as well, but it's seen better days and I like the smaller one a lot better. I have also used the flip-top Pentair version but, honestly speaking, it doesn't appear to be well built and I can easily see the hinges and spring clip breaking after a season.
You have to be careful with the big canisters because they have a tendency to sink. I included a Pentair hose weight on one end and a chopped up section of pool noodle on the other end to keep the leaf trap at the perfect orientation on the pool surface -
I didn't realize they need to stay at a specific orientation? Don't you want to flood them so there's no air inside? When you do that they sink, but, stay fairly level with the alignment of the hoses?
- May 23, 2015
- 25,681
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
I have never had an issue with them floating with a small air bubble inside. My canisters have always done that to a certain extent and it's never affected the performance of the cleaner. However, when they are completely full and sink downwards, they put more stress on the hoses and can interfere with the movement of the cleaner. So whether or not they are full or have a bubble, I always have had my canister at the surface so that the cleaner can move about freely. Putting a float on the front and a slight weight on the back pitches them the optimal way for my setup.
