Pool cleaner advice

[microgeek_55]

I'm looking for an automated pool cleaner for my 27' round above ground pool. I've purchased and returned two that keep getting stuck on either the main center drain, or on some wrinkled in the pool bottom caused by tree roots.

Does anyone have a suggestion for an effective cleaner for my situation?

 

[CT-Steven]

What brands/models did you try?

 

[microgeek_55]

First the Wybot wy1102, and then the Aiper Scuba SE

 

[TDK_WPG]

I use the Hayward AGP penguin (also have whale, ladybug), second season with it in my 24' round and it seems to work well. I purchased the optional leaf/debris collector as I get a lot of leaves and didn't want to starve my pump.

 

[VinnyinNJ]

I use the Hayward AGP penguin (also have whale, ladybug), second season with it in my 24' round and it seems to work well. I purchased the optional leaf/debris collector as I get a lot of leaves and didn't want to starve my pump.

I'm looking for an automated pool cleaner for my 27' round above ground pool. I've purchased and returned two that keep getting stuck on either the main center drain, or on some wrinkled in the pool bottom caused by tree roots.

Does anyone have a suggestion for an effective cleaner for my situation?

I have the EZ Vac from my first pool which is 20+ years old and it did a good job cleaning the pool. My only complaint is that it would clean about 85% of the pool and also get stuck behind our pool steps every so often. I would need to direct it to the other 15% that it didn't clean and get it to move away from the back of the stairs. My last pool stairs had a large gap between the wall and the bottom steps which made it easy to get behind the steps. I now have a Hayward Penguin and the jury is still deliberating about it.

 

[VinnyinNJ]

I use the Hayward AGP penguin (also have whale, ladybug), second season with it in my 24' round and it seems to work well. I purchased the optional leaf/debris collector as I get a lot of leaves and didn't want to starve my pump.

OK, my question to you - how the heck do you get it to stay upright? I have tried to use it and it seems to get blown around from the return jet very easily! I've tried angling the return jet up but it then catches the hose. Any pointers?

 

[TDK_WPG]

I wonder if you aren't getting enough suction, as mine stays pinned to the bottom once I get it going. I do have my return jet pointed upward but it doesn't seem to interfere at all. Did you do the suction test that came with the unit when you did your install?

 

[VinnyinNJ]

I wonder if you aren't getting enough suction, as mine stays pinned to the bottom once I get it going. I do have my return jet pointed upward but it doesn't seem to interfere at all. Did you do the suction test that came with the unit when you did your install?

Thanks for the quick reply! When I set it up I used the gauge for the correct amount of suction; I guess I can check it again this year, maybe get a little more suction going to it. The EZ Vac actually sucked onto the pool floor and I had to peal it off, the Penguin sits slightly off the floor and doesn't seem to have the same type of ability to get that type of suction ... which may give it an edge sucking up debris.

 

[TDK_WPG]

I'll have a closer look at mine on the weekend, it rides on the floor but with the mechanism it definitely has some clearance underneath - as you suggest this works well for debris, maybe less well for doing a deep surface clean. That said, I do find it removes sand that inevitably gets into the liner ripples when the kids track it into the pool.

To date my only stuck experience was once where the hose got really tangled under the solar blanket, and the penguin ended up doing a great job of cleaning about a 6' circle towards the middle of the pool for a few days.

 

[CT-Steven]

I am actually using an Intex that connects to the return jet. Very surprised at the job it does. I did have to toy around with the pressure as my larger filtering system would send make the bot come off the floor and act more like a torpedo.

Amazon.com

 

[kellyfair]

I just bought the Aiper Scuba E1 Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner, and I am loving it!

 

[TDK_WPG]

As an update...our penguin met its nemesis! Our build was late July last year, so after cottonwood season. This year we are experiencing our first cottonwood season with the pool, and the penguin does not handle settled cottonwood fluff well at all - it clogs the intake and basically shuts him down in one spot, unable to move.

The penguin has left the pool for a couple of weeks unfortunately. I'm curious to hear how other robots handle cottonwood fluff?

 

[johnnydot]

I'm looking for an automated pool cleaner for my 27' round above ground pool. I've purchased and returned two that keep getting stuck on either the main center drain, or on some wrinkled in the pool bottom caused by tree roots.

Does anyone have a suggestion for an effective cleaner for my situation?

I have the Aiper Seagull Pro that has wheels and should not get stuck. This is my second year with it and I am quite satisfied with it. It is rechargable battery operated and has no problem cleaning my 18x33 above ground pool on a single charge that lasts about 180 minutes.