Best robot for pool

Shelby.

Member
Mar 1, 2025
6
North Texas
I've just purchased a home with a pool, and have never owned or cared for one before. I've got a few questions I'm hoping someone could help with. First it's an older pool and has an older style as far as the deep end. It has a diving board and is deepest right in front of it, not a uniform slope from the shallow entry side. I hope that makes sense. From my research I think this is called a well, but unsure. I'm wanting to get something to help keep it clean. I have read that poolskims are really good but have to be connected to a return. I cannot find any return holes in the pool. It has the drain at bottom of deepest part in front of diving board and the skimmer. I was thinking a pool robot vacuum but unsure what would be the best one for this style of pool. I'm concerned it would just get stuck in the deep part as the sides are quite steep. Seem steeper than modern pools.
Also I have no clue how many gallons it is and the construction makes it harder for me to guestimate with the slope not being the whole width of the deep end. Ive included photos if anyone could give me their best guess id appreciate it 😁
If anyone has any tips in general on pool care I need those too. I'm in a little over my head with it all haha
Thank you for any and all help!
 

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Shelby,

There are 3 basic kinds of pool cleaners..

1. Suction side cleaners, that use the pump's suction to power the cleaner
2. Pressure side cleaners, that use an extra 'booster' pump, plus your main pool pump to power cleaner
3. Low Voltage electric cleaners, that power themselves.

The basic problem is that no one anywhere, can tell you for sure that their cleaner will not get stuck in your deep end.. Most should not, but no one knows for sure. The only way to know is to use one.

Here is a review of a couple of low voltage cleaners..


I'm going to send you a PM (Called a Conversation here at TFP)

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Shelby,

There are 3 basic kinds of pool cleaners..

1. Suction side cleaners, that use the pump's suction to power the cleaner
2. Pressure side cleaners, that use an extra 'booster' pump, plus your main pool pump to power cleaner
3. Low Voltage electric cleaners, that power themselves.

The basic problem is that no one anywhere, can tell you for sure that their cleaner will not get stuck in your deep end.. Most should not, but no one knows for sure. The only way to know is to use one.

Here is a review of a couple of low voltage cleaners..


I'm going to send you a PM (Called a Conversation here at TFP)

Thanks,

Jim R.
I've responded, thank you!!
 
So here is equipment. From what I understand it's a sand filter. Just backwashed it for the first time and I'm a little confused on where the water goes. It's hard piped, so I'm guessing to sewer line? These is an old pvc pipe that runs to street but it didn't come out of there. I'm guessing it used to and has been changed since the laws in my area don't allow that anymore. (As far as I understand from my limited research)
Also there is a picture of a sump pump , it's by the pool deck and works when I flip the switch. I don't know if it has anything to do with the pool though.
-also the wooden cover is over a small hot tub. Previous owner were told it works but are not sure as they never purchased a new heater and there is not currently one connected to the equipment. It seems the pipe is in off position on the one labeled 'spa'
-There are 2 jets one on either side of pool
-1 skimmer
-1 main drain at bottom of deep end, I know in sellers disclosure they said the drain was an older type, I didn't remember exact wording though. I think something to do with having a leaf cover?

I hope this info helps
 

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I've found this picture that is closest to angles in my pool. Steep slopes and deepest right in front of diving board. My pool shallow side is larger and it's not exactly a rectangle
 

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If helpful, I just picked up one of these yesterday from Walmart to replace my dolphin style robot that bit the dust. Its under $500 and gets the floor, walls, and tile. For half the cost of my old cleaner, I'm happy so far (only used it twice).

(If the link doesn't work, its an Aiper Scuba N1 from Walmart - $488)

 
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If helpful, I just picked up one of these yesterday from Walmart to replace my dolphin style robot that bit the dust. Its under $500 and gets the floor, walls, and tile. For half the cost of my old cleaner, I'm happy so far (only used it twice).

(If the link doesn't work, its an Aiper Scuba N1 from Walmart - $488)

Does your pool have steep slopes? That's my concern mainly. I was leaning toward a corded model as they seem to have more power. I also wanted waterline cleaning.
How many times have you found this to clean before charging?
I'm glad you're liking and will definitely look into if it can handle slopes
 
Does your pool have steep slopes? That's my concern mainly. I was leaning toward a corded model as they seem to have more power. I also wanted waterline cleaning.
How many times have you found this to clean before charging?
I'm glad you're liking and will definitely look into if it can handle slopes
My pool looks to be a similar size as yours and goes from 3'8" to 6' deep and a fairly steep slope.

I literally bought it yesterday and ran it twice yesterday (1 wall+floor for about 2 hours, then I ran a floor only cycle for about another hour). After that it was red, indicating it needed to be charged which I did today and it charged up in about 2.5 hours.

There is also an Eco mode that is supposed to run for a week in the pool on 1 charge, running every other day but I just read about it in the manual. I'm not sure I plan to leave it in the pool between uses, but maybe when we go on vacation or something I would use that feature.
 
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My pool looks to be a similar size as yours and goes from 3'8" to 6' deep and a fairly steep slope.

I literally bought it yesterday and ran it twice yesterday (1 wall+floor for about 2 hours, then I ran a floor only cycle for about another hour). After that it was red, indicating it needed to be charged which I did today and it charged up in about 2.5 hours.

There is also an Eco mode that is supposed to run for a week in the pool on 1 charge, running every other day but I just read about it in the manual. I'm not sure I plan to leave it in the pool between uses, but maybe when we go on vacation or something I would use that feature.
Ok awesome, great info. Thank you for taking the time to share that. I'll add it to my short list for sure. That is a good price!