Pool Cleaner Overview

Choosing a pool cleaner is largely about preferences and quality. All pool cleaners require some work to maintain but differ in how frequently this is required and the amount of work involved.

Before choosing we suggest considering a few questions:

• Do I want the pool cleaner to stay in the pool or do I only want it in the pool when the pool needs cleaning?
• Does the noise of a pool cleaner bother me or my neighbours?
• Do I want to remove the pool cleaner when swimming?
• How much debris do I get in the pool and how large or fine is it?

Suction Cleaners

Suction Cleaners are an easy way to keep your pool clean all the time. They live in your pool and move around picking up dirt and debris whenever the pool pump is operating.

ADVANTAGES

• operates every day when the pump operates
• easy to empty/clean
• cheaper - both up-front and ongoing
• easy to repair
• can stay in the pool
• cleans very fine dust and sediment

DISADVANTAGES

• large debris can block drive mechanism
• relies on adequate flow (this can be a positive because it indicates when your equipment needs attention or a negative if your equipment is lower quality or you use a variable speed pump)
• may get stuck in corners
• inhibits skimming of pool surface
• adds strain to suction line and can cause damage to underground pipes and/or skimmer box
• more difficult to remove from pool
• adversely affected by misshaping hose

There are 3 types of suction cleaner and each is suited to different purposes and preferences.

Wedge style:

This type of suction cleaner is driven by a wedge-style motor that flicks back and forth as water is drawn past and this moves the cleaner around the pool. The wedge is very hard-wearing but also very noisy, producing a ticking sound. This cleaner is best suited to large pools without obstructions or tight corners.

Diaphragm style:

This type of suction cleaner is driven by a diaphragm - a soft plastic tube that pulsates as water flows through and moves the cleaner around the pool. The diaphragm is the weakest of the three as the soft plastic is easily stretched, worn, or pierced. This cleaner is not suited to pools with pebbles/gravel, large seeds, or similar in the immediate vicinity. It works best in large pools without obstructions or tight corners.

Hybrid/turbine style:

This type of suction cleaner is driven by a turbine and sits somewhere between a traditional suction cleaner and a robotic cleaner. It manoeuvres around the pool much better than the other two options but has a lot more moving parts, which wear out faster than those on other styles of cleaner.

Robotic Pool Cleaners

Robotic Cleaners are designed to be used occasionally and operate quickly and efficiently. They plug in to a regular power outlet and collect dirt and debris within an internal canister/bag rather than utilising the skimmer box and filter. They are ideal for pools that are used regularly or otherwise need to be cleaned in a short space of time for any reason. They are not designed to be left in the pool long-term as the pool chemicals wear them out.

Robotic Cleaners work independently from the pump and filtration system. This means they won't inhibit the skimming of leaves and floating debris from the pool surface and they are great for pools with water flow or suction issues.

Where suction cleaners often miss spots because they follow a suction hose that can be affected by misshaping or unusual pool shapes, robotic cleaners have complete autonomy and are much more effective. They also pick up much larger debris without jamming up the drive mechanism - a major flaw with suction cleaners.

ADVANTAGES

• fast and efficient cleaning
• on-demand cleaning
• frees up skimmer inlet allowing skimming of pool surface
• not reliant on pump for suction
• reduces strain and prevents damage to suction line pipes

DISADVANTAGES

• canister/bag needs to be cleaned after each use and is more work to clean than skimmer basket
• should be removed from pool after use and stored in the shade
• requires power outlet within cable reach of the pool
• very fine dust and sediment does not get caught in the filter bag/canister
• larger units can be heavy and difficult to lift from pool.

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