Improving Skimmer and/or Robotic Pool Skimmers?

[Ralph III]

Hello All,
Can anyone recommend a way to improve the pool skimmer effectiveness or otherwise recommend a robotic/automatic skimmer? Our pool skimmer does a poor job of removing surface debris despite adjusting the return jets, water level and skimmer suction. We suffer mostly from small debris (bugs, pollen, flowering trees).

I'm about to install a VS pool pump that will operate at a lower gpm, consequently I can imagine the pool skimmer becoming even less effective.


Just FYI, I'm considering the following automatic skimmers so any input would be appreciated.

1. Dragonfly pool cleaner. This skimmer floats around freely in the pool and is my top choice. It however is quite expensive and doesn't have a catch net?

2. PoolSkim. This gets high reviews. However, wouldn't it be more effective if it were able to float around freely like the Dragonfly? Could it be attached to a flexible suction line in order to float around in the middle of the pool? It has a catch net.

3. Gator auto skimmer. This attaches to a suction side cleaner and consequently moves around as it cleans. I will not be using a suction side cleaner though (have robot) so it would just be on the end of a suction line like the Dragonfly. It also doesn't have a catch net.​

4. Hydronet. A floating remote controlled boat with net. My girls may like this but I prefer something automatic.


Your input is appreciated.
Ralph

 

[Dan-H]

I have a PoolSkim.

You probably have seen this, but it mounts to a wall and the net is part of the fixed portion. The "rim" floats in a vertical channel, and adapts to the varying water height.

I suppose it could be modified so the fixed portion was submerged with a weight, and some additional floats were added to hold the fixed portion up and then the floating portion would work as it is designed to. I think this could be made to work fairly easily.

I'm not sure how it would maneuver the pool.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

There’s the Solar Breeze skimmer ... but it’s $500....

 

[waters'edge]

I use the Solar-Breeze skimmer. Like you anticipate, I found that the VS pump really did not keep up with the debris on the surface at low speeds. It is pricey, but it works very well for me - plus it's solar powered so your pump doesn't need to be running for it to work.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Ralph,

Does your Skimmer have a working Weir door???

I run my VS pump at 1200 rpm most of the time and it does a pretty good job of skimming even at the speed... Except... for about two or three weeks around this time of the year. With the winds and change of seasons, and all the dead stuff falling in the pool, I find that I have to manually skim my pool much more often than normal.. I don't see that as being the Skimmers fault...

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[Ralph III]

Thanks for all the input! My skimmer does not have a weir by the way.

For those of you who have a PoolSkim, can you tell me how well it works given it is attached to the side of the pool?

Thanks,
Ralph

 

[PoolguyinCT]

Ralph, get yourself a weir first. A weir cuts surface tension like a knife.

The Solar Breeze is pretty cool, I have watched a couple in action. The model I watched has a backseat to drag tricolor tablets.

 

[Jimrahbe]

Ralph,

The Weir is what makes a skimmer.. well.. skim..

While maybe not technically correct, the Weir makes the water inside the skimmer "slightly lower" than the water outside the skimmer.. this means that water is flowing downhill into the skimmer. It is this difference that makes the skimmer work.

If your door is missing they sell universal doors that seem to work great.

Thanks,

Jim R.

 

[gvc]

There’s the Solar Breeze skimmer ... but it’s $500....

there is a newer version out now ...solar breeze nx2. lots of upgrades, better materials used in mfg.

they do have a trade in program for those with the original nx who want to upgrade. I took the plunge and the nx2 is running 24/7 now in my pool on sunny days this time of year.

 

[borjis]

Yep the missing door is why it isn't working.

Mine was missing when I bought the place and it was barely able to draw anything in.

You will just need to measure the opening to make sure you get the right size.

After I got a generic one at the correct size from amazon, skimming was much more improved.

 

[Mr Bruce]

there is a newer version out now ...solar breeze nx2. lots of upgrades, better materials used in mfg.

they do have a trade in program for those with the original nx who want to upgrade. I took the plunge and the nx2 is running 24/7 now in my pool on sunny days this time of year.

Woah woah whoa. Trade in? Do you have a link? I have scoured their website and don't see anything about trade in. I was on the fence but if I can get a discount by sending my old one back I'm in!

 

[Smehltrett]

on a side note this thread got me looking at the solar breeze. There seem to be a bunch for sale on ebay for $143.63 by a seller with 0 feedback. It seems suspect when they normally go for $500 or more but you do get purchase protection from paypal... Tempting

 

[JoyfulNoise]

on a side note this thread got me looking at the solar breeze. There seem to be a bunch for sale on ebay for $143.63 by a seller with 0 feedback. It seems suspect when they normally go for $500 or more but you do get purchase protection from paypal... Tempting

Early/original models had lots of product defect issues. Also, the units would sometimes get stuck in certain corners of the pool or over stairs/near ladders. I suspect these sellers are trying to offload their failed early-adopter models.

 

[gvc]

Woah woah whoa. Trade in? Do you have a link? I have scoured their website and don't see anything about trade in. I was on the fence but if I can get a discount by sending my old one back I'm in!

I had called their office in Phoenix to inquire about sending my nx in for repair and thats when I found out about the new nx2 unit and trade-in discount.

- - - Updated - - -

Early/original models had lots of product defect issues. Also, the units would sometimes get stuck in certain corners of the pool or over stairs/near ladders. I suspect these sellers are trying to offload their failed early-adopter models.

yes, the old unit was prone to getting stuck in lots of places. I have a lot of rockscape and it used to get hung up in a few places but eventually went into reverse mode to get going again. the new nx2 unit is much better at sensing when its not making forward progress and backs up sooner with a faster reverse speed.

 

[Katodude]

Hmm, I might just have to call for a trade in price. My NX is ok, but it just gets stuck in corners a lot. And I have a lot of corners in my pool. If it is not too much, an upgrade sounds nice.