Suction-Side Pool Cleaners

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surfaceofthesun

surfaceofthesun

Active member
Feb 18, 2023
36
Phoenix, AZ
Pool Size
15000
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Hayward Turbo Cell (T-CELL-5)
Hi there, we are in AZ and filling our new pool and looking for reccs for the best cleaner (we avoided in ground system). There is a lot of discussion about robot vs suction side and i think we will go suction side. I see mention of the pentair rebel, the navigator (not sure who makes that), and we have looked at the polaris. Any advice for a novice? I also would like to see pictures of where you put the hair nets on the skimmers, I had not heard of that before.

Here are a couple photos of the system. It is a pretty small pool about 15x25 with max depth of 5.5-6ft, I think the baja step will be roughly 9" deep. We have universal mini pebble interior (AZ based company) in aqua azul without added materials. We have 3 short hair dogs who love to swim. We probably have a few days to decide which system to buy.
 

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surfaceofthesun said:
Hi there, we are also in AZ and filling our new pool and looking for reccs for the best cleaner (we avoided in ground system). I see mention of the polaris rebel, the navigator (not sure who makes that), and we have looked at the polaris. I think we need suction side. Any advice for a novice? I also would like to see pictures of where you put the hair nets, I had not heard of that before. Thanks
Click to expand...

Fill out your signature with your pool details and show us some pictures of your equipment pad so we can have look.

In the suction driven cleaner world, PENTAIR makes the Rebel cleaner, HAYWARD makes the Navigator, and POLARIS makes the Atlas line of cleaners.
 
I used to have a pressure-side cleaner, but then had my plumbing reconfigured for a suction-side cleaner. So it is possible to switch, depending on how your pool is plumbed, but your pool builder or pool plumber would have already made that decision for you (if they didn't ask). Do you know which type of vac your plumbing supports? It'll be one or the other or possibly neither, if they assumed you were going to get a robot. So the first step is making sure you know which you're shopping for.
 
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Ok I think I updated the details on the signature. Here are a couple photos of the system. It is a pretty small pool about 15x25 with max depth of 5.5-6ft, I think the baja step will be roughly 9" deep. We have universal mini pebble interior (AZ based company) in aqua azul without added materials. We have 3 dogs who love to swim. Thinking suction side cleaning system but not sure which one to buy. We probably have a few days to decide.
 

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Based on your plumbing, I don't see any evidence of support for a pressure-side cleaner. The valve that leads into your pump, do you know what that does? Is that balancing between a skimmer and a suction port? If so, then you have it right, you're shopping for a suction-side cleaner. I've only ever used the Rebel (other than my pressure-side Polaris, which I hated). It works great in my pool, though my pool stays cleaner than most, so it doesn't have a a lot to do. I've had it for about five years and it is just now giving me a little trouble. I'm going to replace the vac head for about $250. So that works out to about $50 a year. I'm OK with that.

It's possible to rebuild these, but the rebuild kits are about half the cost of a replacement head, and with the replacement you also get a new set of tires and there's no labor involved.

So that's about the sum total of what I know about suction cleaners.
 
Dirk said:
Based on your plumbing, I don't see any evidence of support for a pressure-side cleaner. The valve that leads into your pump, do you know what that does? Is that balancing between a skimmer and a suction port? If so, then you have it right, you're shopping for a suction-side cleaner. I've only ever used the Rebel (other than my pressure-side Polaris, which I hated). It works great in my pool, though my pool stays cleaner than most, so it doesn't have a a lot to do. I've had it for about five years and it is just now giving me a little trouble. I'm going to replace the vac head for about $250. So that works out to about $50 a year. I'm OK with that.

It's possible to rebuild these, but the rebuild kits are about half the cost of a replacement head, and with the replacement you also get a new set of tires and there's no labor involved.

So that's about the sum total of what I know about suction cleaners.
Click to expand...
Thanks! Yes the valve on our system is balancing between a skimmer and a suction port.
Is this the one you have? We have a buddy who remodels pools and he loves pentair.

 
Switching subjects real quick: go out quick and read your water meter. And note the time you do, and try to remember the time the hose was turned on. When the pool is full, read the meter again, and note the time. With those five points (two meter reads and three times), you can calculate the water volume of your pool pretty accurately. Go quick!

I can help you with the math later, if you need. Minimize water usage while the pool fills: avoid showers and toilet flushes as much as possible. Hold off on the laundry. Turn off your yard's irrigation system, etc. The less water you use, the more accurate the number you'll get.
 

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If you plan to get a suction cleaner I HIGHLY recommend you get an in-line leaf trap. Hayward makes a very nice, compact one with a hard plastic strainer in it. Hairnets can be used in it to trap fine dirt and debris.
 
JoyfulNoise said:
If you plan to get a suction cleaner I HIGHLY recommend you get an in-line leaf trap. Hayward makes a very nice, compact one with a hard plastic strainer in it. Hairnets can be used in it to trap fine dirt and debris.
Click to expand...
Good call. Like one of these? Which one is preferred?


 
surfaceofthesun said:
Great I will order that. Went to Leslies last night to get the basics (brush, skimmer etc). Have you guys heard anything about the pentair kreepy krawly warrior automatic in ground pool cleaner style 360302?
Click to expand...

I’m pretty sure that’s the one @Dirk has.
 
Dirk said:
Switching subjects real quick: go out quick and read your water meter. And note the time you do, and try to remember the time the hose was turned on. When the pool is full, read the meter again, and note the time. With those five points (two meter reads and three times), you can calculate the water volume of your pool pretty accurately. Go quick!

I can help you with the math later, if you need. Minimize water usage while the pool fills: avoid showers and toilet flushes as much as possible. Hold off on the laundry. Turn off your yard's irrigation system, etc. The less water you use, the more accurate the number you'll get.
Click to expand...
I had to leave for work and didnt get to check the meter. Ugh. Now I'm not sure how to calculate the gallons..
 
JoyfulNoise said:
I’m pretty sure that’s the one @Dirk has.
Click to expand...
I have the Pentair Rebel, though that sub-brand name seems to encompass many models. I and am getting ready to replace the head unit, probably with this one, as I like the handle:

www.epoolsupply.com

Pentair Rebel Cleaner Head (Only) | 360486

Pentair Kreepy Krauly Rebel Cleaner Head has a two-wheel design that allows the Rebel cleaner to access hard-to-reach corners. Order now!
www.epoolsupply.com www.epoolsupply.com

This one looks more like what I have now (no handle, and more expensive):

I'll have to do some research about if they are significantly different in some other way.

The 360302 looks just like that second one, though mine is blue. Again, not sure what all the differences are.
 
This looks to be Pentair's latest model Rebel (model # 360473). And one of the pics on this page shows the handle. Maybe the two I referenced above are the same thing, one ad just not showing an angle that shows the handle? The price difference might just be which store is selling it?

www.pentair.com

Pentair Rebel® Suction-Side Inground Pool Cleaner

Win the fight against challenging pool dirt and debris with the upgraded Pentair Rebel Suction-Side Inground Pool Cleaner! View all product specs here.
www.pentair.com www.pentair.com
 
Nope, the one on Pentair's site is model # 360473, the one on Amazon is model # 360486, for $300. The one on ePoolSupply is also model # 360486, for $250, but it looks nothing like the one on Amazon. Frustrating. Like I said, there are many models of Rebel, though I don't know how to tell them apart, or if one of them is "best."

I probably call Pentair, so I can ask an "authority" that probably doesn't understand all the various model numbers any better than I do!
 

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