Please tell me what vacuum I need.

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Miss Greggor

Miss Greggor

Member
Nov 9, 2021
14
Cedar Park, Tx
We built our pool a few years ago and got a robot vacuum. We have trees and deal with lots of leaves and pollen. Our vacuum wasn't keeping up and now isn't working. Someone told me to get a creepy crawler type, but it seems we aren't plumbed for that. Should we spend the money to retrofit one? Or get something else? I am struggling to understand where to start. Thanks so much for your advice.
 
After owning a Maytronics S400 (one of their top of the line), I'm not a big fan of robots. I would rather prefer the pressure side pool cleaner. It looks cleaner around your pool, and it will vacuum up leaves much better than a robot twice the price. However, longevity of the product will depend on use and is similar to the robots. And some pressure side vacuum may get stuck on certain pool areas depending on your pool. The robots do have super fine filters for sand. So really, it's between a bag (pressure side vacuum) or filter box (robot).
 
24,

I've owned several robots over the past 15 or more years.. My experience is that nothing cleans better.

If my robot died today, I'd have another one on my porch tomorrow... :mrgreen:

The problem with any cleaner is, you never really know for sure how well it will work in your pool, until you have tried it out.. By then it is too late if it does not live up to your expectations... :(

That said, you should get whatever cleaner works best for you.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Miss Greggor said:
We built our pool a few years ago and got a robot vacuum. We have trees and deal with lots of leaves and pollen. Our vacuum wasn't keeping up and now isn't working. Someone told me to get a creepy crawler type, but it seems we aren't plumbed for that. Should we spend the money to retrofit one? Or get something else? I am struggling to understand where to start. Thanks so much for your advice.
Click to expand...
Leaves should mostly be handled by the skimmer. How long is your pump running each day and are the skimmers catching lots of stuff?
 
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Bperry said:
Leaves should mostly be handled by the skimmer. How long is your pump running each day and are the skimmers catching lots of stuff?
Click to expand...
B,

I agree 100%... :goodjob:

A robot is only going to pick up leaves if they are on the pool floor...

If your whole pool floor is covered with leaves, it is not robot's fault... :mrgreen:

My skimmers get 95% of the junk that falls into my pool.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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M,

Well, not much you can do about the trees as they don't appear to be yours... Trees and pools don't really mix well... :mrgreen:

When I look at the pic of your pool it appears to me that your skimmers are not working as well as they should...

If you have a VS pump, you should run it 24/7 at a low rpm.. Doing that will help with the skimmers and keep the pool floor cleaner.

It could also be that your skimmers are missing their weir doors.. These doors are what makes your skimmers.... actually skim.

Go out a see if you have a floating door between the skimmer basket and the mouth of the skimmer.. It will be hinged at the bottom and kind of float up and down with the water..

If you liked how the Explorer worked, you could get another one.. I have switched from the Dolphin to the EVO and like it much better..

Here is a review.

New EVO 614i Robot Pool Cleaner Review

About a month ago I needed a new robot pool cleaner and I contacted Margaret at Marina Pool and Spa. My initial goal was to buy another S200 "style" robot as I have been happy with them so far. Margaret suggested that I might want to look at a new line of robot cleaners that Marina is now...
www.google.com www.google.com

No matter what, you should have some kind of cleaner.. Most newer pools usually a vacuum port.. Show us several pics of your equipment pad so we can see how things are plumbed.

With your trees, you should be cleaning the skimmer baskets every couple of days.. I would not wait for the pool guys to do it..

Thanks,

Jim R.
 

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Jimrahbe said:
M,

Well, not much you can do about the trees as they don't appear to be yours... Trees and pools don't really mix well... :mrgreen:

When I look at the pic of your pool it appears to me that your skimmers are not working as well as they should...

If you have a VS pump, you should run it 24/7 at a low rpm.. Doing that will help with the skimmers and keep the pool floor cleaner.

It could also be that your skimmers are missing their weir doors.. These doors are what makes your skimmers.... actually skim.

Go out a see if you have a floating door between the skimmer basket and the mouth of the skimmer.. It will be hinged at the bottom and kind of float up and down with the water..

If you liked how the Explorer worked, you could get another one.. I have switched from the Dolphin to the EVO and like it much better..

Here is a review.

New EVO 614i Robot Pool Cleaner Review

About a month ago I needed a new robot pool cleaner and I contacted Margaret at Marina Pool and Spa. My initial goal was to buy another S200 "style" robot as I have been happy with them so far. Margaret suggested that I might want to look at a new line of robot cleaners that Marina is now...
www.google.com www.google.com

No matter what, you should have some kind of cleaner.. Most newer pools usually a vacuum port.. Show us several pics of your equipment pad so we can see how things are plumbed.

With your trees, you should be cleaning the skimmer baskets every couple of days.. I would not wait for the pool guys to do it..

Thanks,

Jim R.
Click to expand...
It seems I am missing 1 of my 2 doors. I will get that sorted and will take some pics of my equipment. Thanks so much!
 
Jimrahbe said:
M,

Well, not much you can do about the trees as they don't appear to be yours... Trees and pools don't really mix well... :mrgreen:

When I look at the pic of your pool it appears to me that your skimmers are not working as well as they should...

If you have a VS pump, you should run it 24/7 at a low rpm.. Doing that will help with the skimmers and keep the pool floor cleaner.

It could also be that your skimmers are missing their weir doors.. These doors are what makes your skimmers.... actually skim.

Go out a see if you have a floating door between the skimmer basket and the mouth of the skimmer.. It will be hinged at the bottom and kind of float up and down with the water..

If you liked how the Explorer worked, you could get another one.. I have switched from the Dolphin to the EVO and like it much better..

Here is a review.

New EVO 614i Robot Pool Cleaner Review

About a month ago I needed a new robot pool cleaner and I contacted Margaret at Marina Pool and Spa. My initial goal was to buy another S200 "style" robot as I have been happy with them so far. Margaret suggested that I might want to look at a new line of robot cleaners that Marina is now...
www.google.com www.google.com

No matter what, you should have some kind of cleaner.. Most newer pools usually a vacuum port.. Show us several pics of your equipment pad so we can see how things are plumbed.

With your trees, you should be cleaning the skimmer baskets every couple of days.. I would not wait for the pool guys to do it..

Thanks,

Jim R.
Click to expand...
Again Thanks for all your help. Would the port you mentioned mean I can do a creepy crawler? Here are pics. Are they sufficient?
 

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M,

It appears to me like you have the plumbing for a suction side cleaner....

At your equipment pad, right in front of your VS pump, you have a tall black tube that looks like it has a pump lid cover.. That tube is a leaf catcher for a suction cleaner.

You also have a valve marked 'cleaner' on the suction inputs to your main VS pump.

Most likely in the side wall of your pool you should see a suction side cleaner port.. It will have a cap like this..

1743359701050.png
See if you can find that cap...

When I look at your equipment pad it appears that you only have one skimmer... You may have two skimmers connected together, but that would be odd for a new pool.

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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If your skimmer doesn't clean the floating leaves, a pressure side Kreepy Krauly from Pentair will do the job. Can't guarantee that it won't get stuck, but will do the job. I have a 17K gallon rectangle pool with 2 20 years old Crepe Martyle and a Red Oak. Fall and early winter seasons are nothing short of excitement. FYI, these trees lose ALL their leaves.
 
Last edited:
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Thanks so much for all you help. Walked through it with pool cleaner. One thing he confirmed is while I have a vacuum port hole in my pool I don't have a booster pump. So do you think I should just stick with a robot? He turned up my pool filter and is going to replace the missing weir door. He confirmed that the skimmers are tied into one.
 
The

Pentair - Kreepy Krauly Legend LL505G Pressure Side Automatic Pool Cleaner​

does not require a booster pump, and will only run when your pool pump is on full speed. Low speed will not create enough pressure. This cleaner will get all your leaves. Some downsides are possible trap (but it has a auto backup valve . . . still annoying though and one more moving parts to replace) spots, expensive (but robots are expensive too), and the filter bags are not as fine as a fine robot filter box). It will not get your shallow steps. The upside is no unsightly extension cable or caddy around your pool.
 
M,

Your cleaner is a suction side cleaner and it does not need a booster pump.

It sounds to me like your problem is how your pool guy is operating your pool, not the type of pool cleaner you have.

Skimmers do not work well without a weir door.. Get the weir door replaced, ramp up the speed of your pump a little, and then until you get things cleaned up, run your pool 24/7. Running at a low rpm, and 24/7, should cost you less than $20 bucks a month.

How often does you pool guy come??? I suspect not often enough... I suggest that you learn how to clean your own skimmers this time of year.

Any idea what speed your pool pump is running now???

If you liked how your robot worked, then get another one.. If not, then get a suction side clean..

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
Jimrahbe said:
M,

Your cleaner is a suction side cleaner and it does not need a booster pump.

It sounds to me like your problem is how your pool guy is operating your pool, not the type of pool cleaner you have.

Skimmers do not work well without a weir door.. Get the weir door replaced, ramp up the speed of your pump a little, and then until you get things cleaned up, run your pool 24/7. Running at a low rpm, and 24/7, should cost you less than $20 bucks a month.

How often does you pool guy come??? I suspect not often enough... I suggest that you learn how to clean your own skimmers this time of year.

Any idea what speed your pool pump is running now???

If you liked how your robot worked, then get another one.. If not, then get a suction side clean..

Thanks,

Jim R.
Click to expand...
Someone from his team comes once a week.
He is getting a new door and did turn up the pump. It had been too low by mistake. I am thankful to you for helping me find some issues to address. I will be emptying the baskets more now. He also said my husband is keeping the pool too full and said that is affecting the skimmers ability to work. Currently looking at the vacuum you recommended and will call Marina soon. Hoping we are on a better path now.
 
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Miss Greggor said:
He also said my husband is keeping the pool too full and said that is affecting the skimmers ability to work.
Click to expand...
M,

This is absolutely true.. :goodjob:

Skimmers work best when the water level is very low at the skimmer, the problem of course, is then you have to worry about the water level going too low.. Skimmers work worst when the water level is near the top of the skimmer's mouth.. So the happy medium is right about the middle of the tile line, which means the water at the skimmer's mouth should be 'about' 3" deep.

I suspect that the other problem is that your two skimmers are tied together.. This usually means the one that is farther away from the equipment pad is almost useless.. :(

Thanks,

Jim R.
 

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