Results for "suction cleaner"

Equipment Medium 45 minutes 331 👍 0

How to Vacuum Pool Without a Skimmer - 4 Easy Methods

Before the pool season even starts, my skimmer cracks from freeze damage every single year, leaving me staring at a swampy disaster. I've been dumping shock and algaecide for weeks but I know I need to vacuum out all this debris and dead algae to actually win this battle.

The problem is my skimmer is completely shot and won't be replaced for another week. Is there any way to vacuum without using the skimmer? I'm willing to try anything at this point - manual methods, different equipment, whatever it takes. I just need to get this gunk out of my pool before it gets any worse!…more

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Equipment Easy 15 minutes 395 👍 0

Do I Need a Pool Vacuum Plate? Complete Setup Guide

Noticed my 20,000-gallon inground pool vacuum's been running without a vacuum plate and now I'm worried it's dangerous with kids swimming daily. My skimmer doesn't seem to have a separate vacuum port - just the main opening where the basket sits. I've been manually vacuuming by removing the basket and connecting my vacuum hose directly to the suction line, but I lose all skimming action during the process.

The pool stays pretty clean most of the time with my regular chemical balance (chlorine at 2.0 ppm, pH 7.4, alkalinity 120 ppm), but I do need to vacuum weekly to pick up the fine debris that settles on the bottom. Would a vacuum plate help me maintain skimming while vacuuming, or is there another setup I should be considering for my skimmer configuration?…more

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Equipment Medium 30 minutes 213 👍 0

Do I Need a Robotic Pool Cleaner? Complete Decision Guide

During pool opening season every year, that same pushy sales guy tries convincing me I absolutely need his $1,200 robotic cleaner. They keep insisting I need it, but I'm already spending a fortune on chemicals and maintenance. I've been manually vacuuming and skimming debris myself to save money, but it's eating up my weekends.

My pool is about 25,000 gallons and sits under some oak trees, so I do get a decent amount of leaves and debris. The pool store claims a robotic cleaner will save me time and money in the long run, but I'm skeptical - feels like they're just trying to make their monthly sales quota. Are these things actually necessary or just another way to drain my wallet?…more

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Editor's Pick

Dolphin Nautilus CC Plus Robotic Pool Vacuum (2026)

Wall-climbing scrubber brush and Wi-Fi control — ideal for in-ground pools up to 40 ft. View on Amazon →

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Equipment Easy 30 minutes 190 👍 0

Do I Need an Automatic Pool Cleaner? Complete Guide 2026

Noticed my 18,000-gallon inground pool still looks like a swamp after following every YouTube DIY cleaning tutorial for weeks. Currently managing manual vacuuming twice weekly, but considering automation to improve efficiency and reduce maintenance time commitment.

My pool experiences moderate debris load from surrounding oak trees, particularly during fall months. Weekly chemical balancing is consistent, but manual cleaning consumes approximately 90 minutes per session. Budget allows for mid-range robotic or suction-side units.

What specific factors should determine whether automatic cleaning systems provide sufficient return on investment? Looking for technical analysis of pool size thresholds, debris management capabilities, and operational cost considerations.…more

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Equipment Easy Research and purchase: 2-4 hours 152 👍 0

Do I Need a Pool Cleaner? Investment Worth Guide 2026

I got a pool cleaner sitting in my cart right now but can't shake the feeling I'm about to waste money on something I could just do myself. My neighbor swears by his robotic cleaner, but they're pretty expensive. I've got a standard rectangular inground pool with a cartridge filter system. Been maintaining it myself for about two years now, but the manual cleaning is becoming a real chore. Do I really need to buy an automatic cleaner, or am I just being lazy? What's the real difference in water quality?…more

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Equipment Easy 15 minutes setup 284 👍 0

Can You Leave Pool Vacuum On All Night? Safe Operating Guide

Standing in front of my computer cart with a robotic vacuum for my 20,000 gallon inground pool — is leaving it running overnight worth it or just asking for expensive trouble? The pool gets pretty messy with leaves and debris, and I feel like running the vacuum for 8-10 hours straight would really help get everything spotless.

My main concerns are whether it's actually safe for the equipment to run that long, and if there are any risks I should be aware of. I have a newer robotic cleaner that I bought last season, and it seems to handle well during normal 2-3 hour cleaning cycles. The pool's circulation system runs 24/7 anyway, so I'm not worried about that side of things.

Has anyone had experience with extended overnight vacuum runs? I want to make sure I'm not going to damage my equipment or create any safety issues by leaving it unattended for that long.…more

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Equipment Easy varies by cleaner type 387 👍 0

How Long Do Pool Cleaners Take? Complete Timing Guide

Nobody warns you that every spring when you're getting the pool ready for summer, figuring out how long cleaning actually takes becomes this recurring nightmare. I want to make sure the water is properly cleaned before they jump in, but I'm not sure how long each type of cleaner needs to run to do its job effectively.

I'm considering getting either a robotic cleaner, suction cleaner, or pressure cleaner, but I need to know how much time each one requires per cleaning cycle. I want to plan the cleaning times around when the kids aren't swimming, so knowing the exact duration would really help me create a safe routine that keeps the water clean without interfering with their swim time.…more

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Equipment Easy 15 minutes 352 👍 0

How Long Do Pool Cleaners Last? Lifespan by Type

Called three pool stores and they're all closed — my robotic cleaner just died at 11 PM mid-cycle and I need to know how long these things should last before buying another overpriced replacement tomorrow.

I want to make a smart investment and buy something that'll actually last, but I need real numbers. What's the typical lifespan I can expect from robotic cleaners versus pressure cleaners versus suction cleaners? I'm willing to do proper maintenance myself to extend the life - just tired of throwing money away on equipment that craps out after a year.…more

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Equipment Easy 30-45 minutes 214 👍 0

How to Vacuum a Pool: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

My pool guy mentioned that I might not be vacuuming properly, and honestly, I'm starting to think he's right. I've been just dragging this vacuum head around randomly and it doesn't seem to be picking up much debris.

Can someone walk me through the actual proper technique for vacuuming? Like how do you set everything up, get it working right, and make sure you're actually cleaning effectively? I'm willing to put in the work if someone can just tell me the correct way to do this!…more

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Equipment Easy 15 minutes 259 👍 0

How to Connect Pool Vacuum - Complete Setup Guide

Staring at pool vacuum options online with my credit card ready, but genuinely wondering if I'm about to blow money on something that'll actually work. Need to connect it properly but instructions are confusing. What's the right order to attach everything - the head, pole, hose? And how do I connect to the skimmer without losing suction?…more

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Filters Medium 1-3 hours 468 👍 0

Can Pool Filter Pressure Be Too Low? Diagnosis & Solutions

Found out from my wife that our pool filter pressure gauge has been stuck at a weirdly low 6-7 PSI all week and now I can't stop obsessing over it. My 20,000 gallon inground pool has been running fine otherwise, but I'm wondering if this low pressure is something I should be concerned about.

I've heard people talk about high filter pressure being bad, but nobody ever mentions if pressure can be too low. The pump seems to be running, but I'm not sure if the water flow looks as strong as it used to be. Water chemistry has been balanced - chlorine at 2.5 ppm, pH at 7.4, and alkalinity at 110 ppm. Should I be worried about this low pressure reading, and what could be causing it?…more

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Product Ranking 8 compared

Best Pool Lights

4.5 (19,800 reviews)

Filters Medium 45 minutes 215 👍 1

Can You Vacuum Pool on Filter Setting? Complete Guide

About to give up on pool vacuuming after yesterday's disaster — kept getting debris blown right back in no matter what I did. My standard maintenance routine involves weekly vacuuming, but I'm uncertain whether the filter setting is appropriate for all scenarios or if there are specific conditions that warrant switching to the waste position.

Specifically, I want to understand the technical rationale behind each setting choice. When does debris load become sufficient to justify bypassing the filtration system entirely? Are there water quality indicators or visible contamination thresholds that should trigger a waste setting protocol instead of normal filtration?…more

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Equipment Easy 15 minutes 410 👍 0

How Does Pool Skimmer Basket Work? Complete Guide

Our pool's running great but I've got my cleaning tools laid out and want to master how this skimmer basket actually works before I accidentally break something. Specifically, I want to know the water flow dynamics and debris capture process that occurs when water enters the skimmer unit.

What is the step-by-step process of how debris gets trapped while maintaining proper water circulation to the pump? I'm looking for technical details about the basket's role in the overall filtration sequence and how it prevents larger contaminants from reaching downstream equipment.…more

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Equipment Easy 30 minutes 1,203 👍 61

Variable Speed Pump RPM Settings for Energy Savings Guide

Three weeks ago I had a variable speed pump installed to replace my old single-speed unit, and I'm worried I might be creating a safety hazard by running it incorrectly. The installer didn't give me clear guidance on what RPM settings to use, and now I'm concerned that running it too slow might not be circulating chemicals properly around my pool where my young children swim daily. Is it dangerous if the water isn't moving fast enough to distribute chlorine evenly? I've been experimenting with different speeds but have no idea if I'm putting my family at risk with poor water circulation or wasting energy by running it too fast.…more

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Filters Easy 15 minutes 323 👍 1

How to Tell If Your Pool Cartridge Filter Is Bad - 7 Signs

Nobody can explain why my test strips show perfect chemistry levels but my pool water looks like chocolate milk. Filter cartridge looks grayish and the pleats seem a bit beat up. Tried cleaning it but water quality isn't improving.

How do I know when it's actually time to replace the cartridge versus just needing a better cleaning? What should I be looking for?…more

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