Spring shopping for AGP's, what's on your list this year?

We had the EZ vac with our last pool, it lasted the 20 years we had that pool. It's an OK Vac but I think all AG cleaners are probably OK. It is really affected by the return jet and it does miss spots. My new pool has a Hayward critter vac and it's the same but I think the EZ is a bit better. I used perlite instead of DE worked just as well, maybe that is a bit cheaper ... I still got a couple of boxes in the garage in case my new sand filter needs a little help.

hwy17 said:

My expectations aren't very high so that sounds like a positive review to me. If I don't end up deciding it's not even worth the effort to put in the pool then I will consider it a success.

Did you have a ladder or steps? I have an A-Frame type ladder and I'm not sure if I'm just doomed to have to pull that out every time for the EZ vac.

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Yes, I had steps. The steps I had came out into the pool by quite a bit (kids used to swim under it) so sometimes it would get stuck under the steps. What I didn't do is just use enough length to get to the other side of the pool where the ladder was, I used all the sections which may be why it got stuck. I found it very random and repetitive in where it would wander. Having a round pool most of the debris was in the center due to the cyclonic action of the water. I would leave the cleaner in the pool a few hours and then grab my leaf rake and use it to guide the EZ vac to where it missed.

Since my vac was made 20+ yeas ago it may different from today's version. It had an automatic suction valve that you took out the skimmer basket, put into the skimmer and it adjusted the pressure automatically - not sure if it has that today. It worked great in sucking up debris at the vac. It also came with a down flow diverter to put onto the return, never used it, I just put the return facing up to shoot the return across the pool. One thing to note, the vac works by a hinged flapper going back and forth, it it sucks up a large leaf that flapper stops and it doesn't go anywhere, I've had this happen quite a few times over the years.

Something to remember, you may still have to manually vacuum the pool every so often. I was happy with the EZ Vac. even with it's quirks. The critter vac I have now has different quirks but I haven't used it enough to learn what to do. I think all AG pool vacs are random, maybe IG cleaners are more defined in how they map out a pool. I would say it cleaned the pool about 85% and I had to guide it or manually clean the other 15%.

I would not use a suction side cleaner. I have had 2 AquaBugs, and a Zodiac Wahoo. They are more trouble than they are worth. The are very fussy, they miss spots, they get stuck, and getting them out, setting up the hose, purging the hose, and getting them running is a PIA. I would just vacuum my pool old school instead. On my list for this spring is a robotic cleaner. Drop it in, and let it go.


Pearlite is usually more expensive than DE, and from what I have read, it helps to prevent bridging between the DE grids in the filter. The OP has a Hayward EC40. That does not have grids, it has tubes or fingers. If you do decide to go with pearlite anyway, make sure it is pool pearlite and not gardening pearlite. Garden pearlite is little balls (like pearls), when they make it for a pool they take those pearls and grind them down into a powder.