Battle of the Solar Skimmers: Ariel vs Betta 2 Bake off!!!

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Carnut12 said:
Do you all buy the 3 year warranty and skimmer genuine skimmer basket?
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I bought an extra. It's helpful to have a spare so you can take the full one out, and let it sit outside and dry for a day or two. Dumping it dry is easier than having to scrape all the wet junk out.

Also, bonus for when your Betta breaks and they send you a new unit, they also send a new basket with it. So I have 3 baskets now :D
 
I'm on my third Ariel, brand new replaced at end of last season, just opened the pool for another season and figuring maybe I get a few months before this one breaks down? Actually was considering a Beta last Fall, but Ariel keeps giving me new deals every time the unit fails. Anyhow, coming back to this review.....I noticed there's a new Betta SE model for 2023. It mentions improvements in the design, but I can't find any reviews and experience on it. What's the word on the street??
 
Check out the posts at Instapark Betta review. Start at the end and go backwards. SE is being called v2 by some. Quick summary, problems with some. I was sent a v2 when my v1 went back for its 3rd or 4th repair (can’t recall). So far it’s chugging along fine. I think that some work great, some work less great, some fail sooner. Just keep the box and many have purchased the extended warranty coverage based on their experience with v1.
 

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Surf NH said:
yes correct, that's why I was asking.....seems the SE is new for 2023.
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I don’t think anyone here has the SE yet. If you get one make sure you get the 3 year warranty. I’m curious myself as to how much durable they are. I think I’m on my second V2. They sent me a new unit last time mine went out under warranty.
 
My se will be here tomorrow, fully intend on adding the 3yr warranty upon arrival (ordered from Amazon so as I understand I need a serial number to buy the three yr direct)
 
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Betta Se arrived and is swimming :)
seems to be doing a fine job picking up the pollen and foxtails that we have this time of year. Hoping that i can go a couple days longer between changing the skimmer sock now.
 
Ahultin said:
Betta Se arrived and is swimming :)
seems to be doing a fine job picking up the pollen and foxtails that we have this time of year. Hoping that i can go a couple days longer between changing the skimmer sock now.
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Congrats! Keep us informed as to status/performance, pls.
 
I've had a Betta Se for a couple of weeks now. I could not be happier with the performance and ease of use. I have an older (1965) gunite pool that has never had the best skimmer performance. I've been using a PoolSkim add on skimmer on one of the return lines for the last few years and it has helped a lot. But it got in the way when people were over and was not easy to remove. The Betta Se is next level. It does a fabulous job. If there is anything in the pool at all, it looks like a couple quick swipes with a net would make it perfect. I am surprised every time I empty it at how much it has collected. When the surface looks so clean all the time, it is easy to underestimate how much is actually falling in the pool and getting cleaned up. I have yet to use the remote and it really doesn't seem necessary. I'm not sure if I will use it at all.
 
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not to bump a completely old thread, but at the recommendation of one of my customers I just ordered the BETTA, 469.99 on amazon 2 day delivery, then with tax its close to 500 but amazon/visa gave me. $30 off coupon for it so it was 469.xx shipped

I assume if leaves, pollen, etc are getting skimmed constantly while on the top it doesn't give them a chance to sink to the bottom and breakdown and possibly form algae and other stuff?
 
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6spdg37s said:
not to bump a completely old thread, but at the recommendation of one of my customers I just ordered the BETTA, 469.99 on amazon 2 day delivery, then with tax its close to 500 but amazon/visa gave me. $30 off coupon for it so it was 469.xx shipped

I assume if leaves, pollen, etc are getting skimmed constantly while on the top it doesn't give them a chance to sink to the bottom and breakdown and possibly form algae and other stuff?
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Stuff sinks. If FC and CYA are right, shouldn't get algae. Although can be tricky with lots of pollen and oak catkins. Had my FC at 10 skimming daily and still got some algae.
 
I put it in the pool right out of the box and it captured a lot of stuff in only a short period of time. so far so good
 

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