Automatic Swimming Pool Cleaners

July 2nd, 2008

Anyone who owns their own pool knows that they probably didn’t know what they were getting into when they bought it or had it installed. The maintenance of a backyard pool is a never-ending chore during the warmer months when it is in use, and if you live in a place like Florida or southern California that means all year long.

Especially if you live in a rustic setting, leaves and grass are a constant threat to the cleanliness of your pool. Besides blowing into the water from all over the place, they clog up filters and when they get heavy enough with volume and wetness sink to the bottom of the pool from where they are a intense source of irritation. People who use the standard manual hand-held pool cleaning nets and mesh baskets understand this all too well.

Yet other devices besides the above mentioned ones, designed to make cleaning the pool easier, don’t do so well either. Hand-held vacuums are a great deal of bent-back work and don’t really do much to remove dirt and silt–they just tend to stir it all around more.

Suction cleaners require less physical labor but they are fraught with problems, particularly that they don’t scrub so that the pool really doesn’t get clean and they are random with their scanners so that they miss too many areas too often, among others negatives.

Pressure cleaners are only marginally better and they require a special pump be installed. And the expensive in-floor cleaning systems take a great deal of work to be installed in the first place (and are meant to be installed with the pool’s construction) and they still don’t scrub your pool for all that.

But there has come along a pool owner’s dream solution: robotic pool cleaners. Until recent times, the benefits of robotic pool cleaners could only be had by CEOs, career politicians, and celebrities. But as happens with technology, the price of robotic pool cleaners has come down to where their benefits can be enjoyed by many pool owners.

Unlike the random gyroscopic scanning for particles and leaves that come with the suction and pressure cleaners, robotic pool cleaners use the technology of “fuzzy logic” that began being developed with seriousness in the 1980s to “think” more like a human being would about pool cleaning. The fuzzy logic processing allows the robots to give full coverage to your pool regardless of its shape, and they are driven by microchip technology that gives them their type of artificial intelligence that can allow them to go around obstacles and even climb walls as needed. Different models of robots are recommended for various sized pools.

The benefits of using robotic pool cleaners include: ease of installation (for those that need to be installed); a full, complete pool cleaning including scrubbing and the application of cleaning chemicals; independence from your pool’s main filter; and low maintenance.

These days, the initial cash outlay for a robotic pool cleaner is typically less than the in-floor cleaners, and the work that never gets done on your pool now gets done–while you enjoy swimming in, instead of working in, your pool.

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The Best Automatic Pool Cleaners

July 2nd, 2008

It doesn’t matter if you’re towards the end of the swimming calender or getting ready for a new year of fun in the sun, cleaning the pool is tiresome. Those who don’t have one have no idea of the hard work that is put into making it look extravagant and refreshing. So why struggle when you can find the best automatic pool cleaners available today? Below, we’ve listed four of the greatest assets a pool owner can have at their disposal. The hard part is choosing which one is right for you.

The Aquabot

Getting one of the best automatic pool cleaners around means receiving great instructions. There is nothing more frustrating then finding the manual and having no idea what it’s trying to tell. Next thing you know, the pool cleaner doesn’t look like the picture and it ends up taking you weeks to put it together. However, the Aquabot gives you video instructions so you can pause between each step and have a true visual of the finished product. Assembly time does not require rocket science and if you choose their cleaner, you’ll be able to see for yourself.

This little gadget moves slowly across the bottom of the pool sucking up everything in it’s path. Definitely great for those of you who don’t feel like doing any work at all. Keep in mind there are some minor downfalls when using this pool cleaner. You will have to clean out the filter bag, which isn’t a pretty sight, and on occasion, we’ve noticed the cord getting tangled. Other than that, you can sit back and watch all the neighbors clean out their pools by hand.

The Dolphin

If you don’t want to spend two, four, six or even eight hours making your pool spotless, the Dolphin Dynamic will take care of it for you. This automatic pool cleaner delivers a criss-cross action around your entire pool giving you a clarity like no other. The reason this is one of the best automatic pool cleaners is because it cleans both the walls and floors relentlessly. With two motors and a scrubbing action, why would you be surprised?

Overall, it can handle any sized pool and definitely does everything it’s supposed to throughout the process. Again, there is a tangling issue with the cords so keep this in mind when you leave it alone. While we wouldn’t suggest letting it work overnight without supervision, it will definitely be a great tool throughout your swimming season. However, don’t pay retail because the prices are usually $300-$500 more expensive.

The Polaris

As most reviews say, “You can’t go wrong with a Polaris.” One of the most inexpensive automatic pool cleaners on the market, the Polaris is made without the necessities of a debris bag. It’s fast, it has a great cleaning process and it’s about half the cost of all the others. We recommend looking deeper into this automatic pool cleaner if you need something now.

The Dirt Devil

One thing to notice about the Dirt Devil automatic pool cleaner is the variations they offer you. There are certain ones available for in-ground pools and others for above ground pools. This little robot has more power than their in-home cleaners and at an affordable price. While we didn’t put any of these automatic pool cleaners in order from best to worst, people rate the Dirt Devil a 10. Any of these might just make your life a lot easier when it’s time to clean the pool. It’s just figuring out which one is best for you that’s hard.

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Above Ground Swimming Pools

June 18th, 2008
Swimming pools are very popular these days, proving to be one of the best investments you can make for your home and your family. If you live in an area that is known for a hot climate, a swimming pool can be an ideal way to cool off. You can have friends over at your pool to have fun, or use it to teach your kids how to swim. Although many people prefer an in ground pool, an above ground pool is just as good - if not better.

Above ground swimming pools are well known for three reasons - safety, installation, and maintenance. All types of swimming pools can be a chore to maintain, as you have to clean it on a daily basis and ensure that you have the right balance of chemicals in the water. You also have to keep an eye on the temperature as well, and keep objects such as leaves out of the water.

Above ground pools are easier to maintain for the simple reason of being above ground. In ground pools are down low, meaning that debris can easily get into it, and animals such as dogs, cats, and even squirrels have easy access to it. Above ground pools on the other hand are a bit higher up, and make it hard for animals and debris to gain access to the water. Those of you who are looking for a pool that requires less maintenance - should look into an above ground swimming pool.

Above ground pools are also safer for children as well. Children can easily fall into in ground pools, for the simple fact that they are low to the ground. With an above ground pool, children have to climb a ladder before they can get in the water. This can make it hard for children to gain access, which is exactly what you want. If you have young children at your house, you can count on an above ground pool to provide a sense of security.

Unlike in ground pools, above ground swimming pools are much easier to install, as you can do it yourself. You can choose a professional if you like, although above ground pools are so easy to install that anyone can do it. With these types of pools, there is no digging up your yard or other dangers involved. All you need to do is clean off an area of your property for the pool, then set everything up. It normally takes just a few hours to set up your pool, which makes it a very time efficient way of having a swimming pool.

Above ground pools are also cost efficient as well. Most above ground swimming pools cost nearly 1/4 the price of an in ground pool, making them affordable for even those who on a tight budget. There are several sizes to choose from, from the smallest and cheapest to the largest. Even if you get a large model, the prices are still very affordable. This way, your entire family can have a pool to enjoy in the summer without going broke in the process.

With an above ground swimming pool, you can spend quality time with your family without leaving your home. Even though there are responsibilities and maintenance involved with a swimming pool, it’s well worth it. If you have been looking for a great swimming pool, you can rest assured that an above ground pool is well worth the time - and the money.

 

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3 Chemicals You Need

June 17th, 2008

Every pool owner has to deal with chemicals at some point in time. When dealing with chemicals, there are a few things that you should know. No matter how many chemicals you have, you should never attempt to mix them together. Also, you should never try to add water to dry chemicals of any form. Last but not least, you should never under any circumstances attempt to handle chemicals with your bare hands.

Throughout your time of owning a pool, there are 3 chemicals that you simply must have for your pool. These chemicals are very important, as you’ll be using them quite frequently.

1. Chlorine tablets

Chlorine tablets come in dimensions of either 1 inch or 3 inch. Chlorine tablets go in your skimmer, normally 3 - 4 tablets at a time. During the summer, when you run your pool on a daily basis, you’ll need to change out your tablets every week or so. If you are planning to use 2 skimmers, you’ll need around 8 tablets each week. You can buy chlorine tablets by the bucket, containing 30 - 50 tablets. They can tend to get expensive, around $80.00 a bucket, so you’ll need to have plenty of money to invest in your pool during the summer.

2. Alkaline powder

Even though chlorine in your water will help to kill off germs, it can also raise the level of acid in your pool. If you aren’t using enough alkaline, parts that contain metal will begin to corrode, turning your water a misty green color. On the other hand, if you are using too much alkaline powder, the water will get very cloudy, raising the level of germs in the water - which can lead to very dangerous health issues. In order to get the right about of alkaline powder in your pool water, you should always use brand name alkaline powders in the amount recommended by the package.

3. Chlorine powder

Chlorine powder is essential to killing germs such as algae and bacteria that exist in your pool and multiply at very fast speeds. To kill off these germs, you’ll need to use a large amount of chlorine powder in your water. Depending on the size of your pool, you may need to use more powder than others. Chlorine powder can tend to be expensive, so you should always check how much you need before you buy. This is a chemical you must have, as it’s impossible to keep your pool free of germs without it. If you have already bought it or if you plan to buy a large supply, you shouldn’t worry as you’ll always have the need for it - meaning that you can never buy enough chlorine powder.

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