Best Vac or Robot for Rectangular, covered pool?

[jbailey895]

Hey gang: Im in Southern california, 15x30 gunnite saltwater rectangular pool with cover. I have had a pool cleaner (vergnugen or some brand?) for several years. The wheel literally fell off last week, and it could either use a tune up or replacement. I've been reading several threads re robots v. suction cleaners. Q's:
1. Since my pool is mostly covered, and only one large palm tree nearby, should I deploy a robot instead of a suction cleaner? If so, cordless or wired? I have outlets close to the pool.
2. If I am running the filter +- 12 hours a day anyway, should I continue with the suction cleaner and either:
a. Rebuild thee internals; or
b. buy a new suction cleaner?

There is a side-cleaner port, but I have a booster pump and I do not think that is an active option. (yes, I've owned this pool for 20 years and never checked that port)

Thanks for any advice or opinions.

Cheers,
Joel

 

[mknauss]

First question I have, if the pool is covered, why do you run the pump so long?

 

[jbailey895]

To filter the water? Pentair VS pump, I thought it needed that much filter time. It's 15x30, 3-6-3 ft deep. Are you suggesting I don't need that much filtration time? I keep the RPMs around 1800 2k to move the poolvac, and it runs from ~10 pm to 9 am.

 

[mknauss]

You run the pump to create the chlorine you need (SWCG) and skim the surface.

You do not need much skimming.

I would suspect you can get away with 4-6 hours a day as your FC loss should be pretty low if covered all the time. But, if left open all day, you need to add some pump run time and SWCG time to create more chlorine.

Is this an AutoCover?

 

[jbailey895]

Thanks for the advice. It's a Coverstar cover. The pool is covered most of the time, opened for use and when we entertain around it. I think a cheaper robot would be my best bet since I don't get much debris.