Pool Cleaning Robots

I have one of the mechanical types that connects to the hose. The model name is "Wanda the Whale".

I can tell you that mine works great. I have had it for 1-1/2 years, and I haven't had to touch a vacuum since.

My pool is a 28' round above ground. Don't know if it works as well with an in-ground as the surface would be rougher.

I have forgotten to mention that my pool is in-ground painted concrete, measuring 9 x 4 meters, and 1 to 2 meters deep.

This cost over $400.00 and I've never been impressed.

In fact, I may look at the one WJMFIRE has.

Our pool is in-ground and 10 feet deep on the diving end.

This thing will climb right out of the water, almost, but I can't say I'd recommend it.

I never have thought it was worth the investment.

I continued my search, having found one called "acuatic explorer" that is made locally and that costs 1/3 the price of more fancy models. This gadget looks like a flat suction cup and (according to the manufaturesrs video) it seems to work quite well. http://www.acuaticexplorer.com/como_funciona.php having no wheels, engine, etc, it seems to me something like this can be an option. Comments?

I've seen these in action. My only concern is that the flapper on the bottom will wear out and need replacement, periodically. I think they clean just fine and would choose this over the one I bought because mine does not come in contact with the pool surface. (Bad) Sometime most expensive is not the best. It also requires special hose sections.

Barracuda is the brand I'm familiar with that is equivalent to the auquaticexplorer.

The down side is that you have to remove the hose and cleaner for unrestricted swimming.

Having a cleaner that comes in contact with the pool is the way to go.

I fully agree with you, but having this Barracuda/ Explorer made locally getting spare parts shold be no big deal. Despite the fact that one has to remove the hose and cleaner for unrestricted swimming, using a timer for over night cleaning may be a good alternative as well. Unless someone mentions some cons for the Barracuda, it seems to be the one to buy

This is the one we have in our pool here in Florida, USA

http://www.hayward-pool.com/prd/_10201_10551_23001_-1_17012_14005_I.htm?__utma=173786682.1094767723.1355677563.1355677563.1355677563.1&__utmb=173786682.1.10.1355677563&__utmc=173786682&__utmx=-&__utmz=173786682.1355677563.1.1.utmcsr=google|utmccn=%28organic%29|utmcmd=organic|utmctr=%28not%20provided%29&__utmv=-&__utmk=64508655

It works well and requires little maintenance.

I have no idea if "Hayword" is sold in Argentina but you might check it out anyway.

Drop a couple of Plecostomus this size in your pool :

They are native to South America and always kept my fish tanks clean.

Holy manoli! As I didnt know what kind of fish, I dropped some PIRANHAS into the pool. BTW: thanks to the piranhas, at our pool breaking swimming speed records is no big deal!

We use a Barracuda and other than it getting stuck on the ladder on the diving board end of the in-ground we like it. There are times when the chemicals get out of balance and we have to fight the algae that I wish we had one that was more efficient such as a robot. But for the added cost we are ok with what we have and will likely buy a similar style when it needs replaced. We have had it for 3 or 4 years and it is still as good as the first day we used it.

It is good to know the barracuda works fine, Thank you! During dry summers, the main concern is precipitated dust. Algae are usually no problem, as I keep an eye on the waters Ph. BTW: how many times a week, and for how long do you use the barracuda? Thanks again

That sounds like Arizona to me. Dust storms, dry leaves, kids, wind blown stuff, the rare duck and dogs in mine till the last one died last year.(Dog, not kid)

I'm going to get a new cleaner to go with the new pool.

I'll report when I get it.

We have the G3 and I run it about 8 hours once a week in my 20' x 40' in-ground. Occasionally I will skip a few weeks depending on how much the pool gets used. Other times I will run it several days in a row to remove algae.

I also added a leaf catcher to the set-up. It is a clear plastic container with a filter basket. I was nervous about spending $40.00 as I thought it was over priced but it has been well worth it. Aside from catching leaves it collects insects and dead frogs and metal. The metal was coming from an expensive piece of junk solar reel. The rivets and screws were falling out into the pool. The sweeper did its job and removed them from the floor. If not for leaf catcher I would not have known the reel was falling to pieces as soon as I did.

The Barracuda only has one moving part and it is a diaphragm that causes it to pulsate which then allows it to move. My son likes to hit rocks with an old baseball bat and several have gone into the pool. The cuda has sucked several through without damage. I found them in the leaf catcher. If they are too big it just stalls out the sweeper and you have to remove them by taking the sweeper apart. Easy enough done as it breaks down without any tools. Anyone should be able to do this. First time was around 10 minutes start to finish. Now I do it in under 2 minutes. First time I was cautious and did not want to break some hidden locking tab or something. There were none and it is so simple to do.

Thanks for the tips!

Kreepy Krauly

<http://www.kreepykrauly.com.au/>

... there are many copies, powered by the pool recirculating pump

In addition to using the typical auto pool cleaner (Aquabug) looks like a beetle, I converted my system to salt system using one of the cheap ebay Saltron Retro Salt Systems... best pool purchase I've made....

Could you elaborate on the reasons you like this system? Aside from not dealing with liquid chemicals. Is acid dosing still required?

Thanks.

I converted mine to salt as well. I bought one of those cheap Intex models. Two years and still working....

No need to add chlorine but acid is still required.

You wrote that the size of your pool is 9 meters by 4 meters, less than 14 ft by 30 feet shouldn't take too long to clean. I have a Polaris and on my third one in 27 years. I have had nothing but good luck with them. My pool maintenance is limited to keeping the chemicals balanced and emptying the skimmer basket once per week. The Polaris works on a pressurized system that has a separate 1.5 horse power centrifugal pump. The pool sweep does a wonderful job of keeping the pool sparkling clean, year round.

Here is a URL that may be helpful. http://www.poolfly.com/_Pool_Cleaners_-_All_Types_--CAT_APCL.html

Great, thank you!

Yesterday I called the local manufacturer of the Barracuda type pool cleaner (very nice guy indeed) to buy one of these devices. To my surprise, he said that he will deliver it in person within 24 hours, in order to teach in it´s use in order to get the best out of it.... can´t wait

The salesperson came home today, connected the hoses to the lid of the skimmer, pump went on .... and Barracuda started doing his job! As I have a gravel / sand filter, and the bottom of the pool was very dirty, it required flushing of the filter every time the motion of the cuda slowed a bit down (+/- every 15 min). I am confident it will work fully by itself doing the maintenance. Tomorrow I´ll post some pics

Welcome to the life of luxury they promised when you bought the pool.

Likely you will need to add a floculent (probably mispelled) to get the fines out of the water as the cuda will do great job of stirring them up. I also have a sand filter and they have there limitations. Floc is cheap and easy to use if needed.

Yeah.... I am glad to have got into the life of luxury! . This weekend I will eat oysters and drink champagne at the poolside while my new cuda does the dirty job! Instead of using ready to use flocculants, I buy aluminum hydroxide wich is it´s main component (the rest is H20)... and costs only a fraction of their price. As the cuda´s job quality relies on the propper function of the pump and the filter, both are on my "to do" list to be serviced asap.

THERE IT GOES!

Waste money? I think you will waste hell of a lot money on cleaning it without pool cleaners. One of the advantages is that after owning it you don't have to spend time or large sum of money to have a clean swimming pool.

I always loved throwing pool parties, but the boring part was the cleaning it next day. So they bought it for me and now I don't have to even worry about it. But for you best robotic pool cleaner might be other one so first, I'd recommend to analyze your situation.