HomerHow well does the Pentair Great White pool cleaner or Kreepy Krauly GW9500m perform? After reading this article, you will have a good idea of the best automatic pool cleaner to use in 2023. The Great White pool cleaner, for instance, is a stunning model that qualifies for rebates. More details later.
Most people hate swimming in dirty pools. Furthermore, most people do not know that dirt can damage the liner of pools, pumps, and other essential components, costing people a lot of money in hefty repairs. Therefore, pool cleaning should form part of your weekly maintenance routines if you want to extend your pool’s life. Use the best pool cleaners, as they are effective and come in many styles for different pool types. Before ordering one, you should check your water balance, as it is an important aspect.
What is Water Balance?
Water balance denotes the alkalinity of pool water [also known as total alkalinity (TA)]. TA influences pH balance and the ‘potential of hydrogen’ of swimming pool water. Generally, with a high TA, your pool water with have a higher pH balance, while a low TA will result in low pH pool water.
Why are the pH and TA levels of a pool important? Generally, whenever a pool has a high pH, germs, and bacteria thrive, predisposing users to infections. However, whenever the pH is low, you have an increased risk of irritation to the skin and eyes whenever you are swimming. Low pH also corrodes and ultimately destroys pool parts such as liners and pumps, to name a few.
To maintain optimal pH and alkalinity levels, check your water’s condition frequently using a pH test kit. The standard alkaline level should be 100 parts per million (ppm), while pH should range between 7.4 and 7.6. A value between 0 and 7 denotes low pH, and readings between 8 and 14 high pH.
Low pH water dissolves chlorine quickly, while high pH inactivates chlorine. Chlorine is a critical chemical that kills germs and bacteria in swimming pools.
How to Use a Pool Test Kit
Other aspects of water balance that you should keep in mind include using a stabilizer and calcium hardness. In standard pools, calcium hardness of 300 ppm, range 200 to 400, is suitable. By conducting a calcium hardness test, you will know when pool water needs additional calcium or not to maintain the recommended level of hardness.
Too much calcium in water makes pools to look cloudy, which is uninviting. Moreover, too much calcium can also stain and ultimately damage your pool’s liner, while a low calcium level tends to erode pool plaster.
To prevent chlorine from breaking down faster under the sun, consider using a stabilizer. The device “insulates” chlorine, protecting it from degrading fast.
However, whether you are using a stabilizer or not, do not forget to check your pool’s pH balance and TA often. Maintaining the correct level will keep water clean and soothing and protect pool parts from accelerated damage.
If you have maintained optimal water balance, you should clean dirt and debris from your pool too. This is where automatic pool cleaners are handy. They are three types: pressure side, robotic, and suction-side cleaners.
Top Pick | Great White Pool Cleaner
Pentair has been in operation for over 150 years. Currently, this industry leader is one of the best manufacturers of high quality and eco-friendly water-related products for the home and office. Its automatic pool cleaners, for instance, are famous, with Pentair Kreepy Krauly Great White leading the pack.
Features:
- Bristle drive removes algae, dirt, and debris to keep pools clean.
- Has programmed steering for navigating around obstacles in pools optimizes cleaning.
- Wide cleaning path (15 inches).
- Free Vac-Port door that fits most vacuum lines.
- Free flow gauge and adjustable regulator valve enable you to customize its cleaning speed.
- No assembly needed – install it and let it clean the pool for you.
Documents for the Pentair GW9500 Kreepy Krauly:
Pentair $50 Rebate
✓ The Pentair had a $50 rebate available in 2016. If you purchased the Kreepy Krauly Great White from January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2016, you could have received a $50 Consumer Rebate via prepaid Visa card. Check the official (coupon) to understand how this system works.
- To qualify, you needed a product serial number and reward coupon code. You also had to mail the supporting documents after completing the online form.
- Download or View the Great White pool cleaner’s coupon form.
Overview | Pentair GW9500
The Great White pool cleaner has a robust bristle drive technology that dislodges and clean tiny pebbles and dirt efficiently. Hook the vacuum line to a dedicated vacuum port to maximize its efficacy in cleaning large/small debris.
The Great White pool cleaner has programmed steering for maneuvering around obstacles and thus preventing sticking. It also has a free-flow valve and an adjustable regulator for controlling its speed while cleaning.
With the Great White pool cleaner, you get a Vac-door for securing it to dedicated vacuum lines. The system needs little assembly to work. All you do is snap on the Great White to the vacuum line and power it to start cleaning.
The 15-inch cleaning path of the Great White pool cleaner is ideal as it enables it to scrub, vacuum, and clean walls and floors of pools. You can use it in pools of different shapes and sizes, including models made from gunite, cement, tiles, fiberglass, and vinyl.
With each Great White pool cleaner you order, you receive a 32-foot hose and a limited manufacturer’s warranty for two years. Moreover, because it is light, immersing it in pools and retrieving it after use is effortless.
FAQ | Pentair Kreepy Krauly Great White Pool Cleaner
How deep can the Great White work?
According to the manufacturer, the Great White pool cleaner can work in swimming pools measuring up to 6 feet deep. However, some people have reported using it at depths of up to 10 feet without issues. You will need a slightly longer hose than your pool’s depth for it to perform well.
Is the Great White noisy?
The Great White pool cleaner generates minimal noise while in operation. The bulk of its noise emanates from the pool pump, which are of many types.
Your pool cleaner’s hose should be long enough.
Does it climb stairs?
Yes, the programmed navigation system of the Great White enables it to maneuver potential obstacles such as pool stairs with ease.
Does it remove algae from the bottom and sides of the pool?
The Great White can clean algae from pools. However, make sure that you also use an algaecide every month to maintain proper water balance.
Does it pick up leaves? If so, where do they go?
Yes, the Great White can quickly pick up debris and leaves. Any debris that it vacuums collects on the pump’s strainer basket for easier disposal.
Would you recommend a Great White or a suction-side cleaner?
The Great White is an economical pool cleaner compared to suction-side cleaners. It can climb the sides of a pool and clean stairs as well, which is a plus. Finally, because it needs minimal interaction to clean and cleans quickly, it is a top choice for people who need a cost-effective cleaner that works well.
Suction-Side Pool Cleaners
Suction-side cleaners are equally inexpensive yet effective, making them a top choice for homes. They work with existing pool pump and filtration systems.
Suction-side cleaners are also easy to operate as most models have one moving part. They draw their cleaning power (vacuuming) from pool pumps, which such debris and dirt into your pool’s filtration system for disposal.
Since suction side cleaners require a pool pump with a functional poop pump to work, you might not benefit from one if you do not have a pool pump.
However, they are among the most beneficial in homes as they are affordable. Systems are power efficient as they run off existing pool pumps, while their eco-friendly designs are easy to install, and do not require chemicals to clean.
A major downside of suction-side pool cleaners is the amount of strain they exert to pool pumps and stock filtration systems. If you decide to use one, make sure that you monitor and clean the flirtation system to lower wear.
Zodiac MX8 Pool Cleaner
Zodiac MX8 is one of the most recommended and highly famous suction-side pool cleaners. It supports most pool pumps, two/variable speed pool pumps, and solar-powered models, which have grown in popularity globally.
The Zodiac MX8 features dual cyclonic suction with an ultra-fast design that needs 30% less flow to work than similar brands. This lowers the strain on pool pumps significantly, prolonging their life as a result.
While most suction-side pool cleaners have a hard time cleaning large debris, the Zodiac MX8 has a large intake that makes the process seamless. It also has a wider cleaning path that shortens clean up time and is very efficient.
Unfortunately, most automatic pool cleaners have navigation errors and have a hard time cleaning around pool obstacles such as stairs. The Zodiac MX8 is different from others as its dual navigation technology (maX-Drive) overcomes such issues. The maX-Drive technology boosts pool coverage regardless of size and shape and effectively cleans walls, floors, and waterline without hang-ups.
The Zodiac MX8 can work with a pump or skimmer via a 1.5-inch vacuum line. It works well in all in-ground pools made of vinyl, concrete, fiberglass, and tile.
With The Zodiac MX8 pool cleaner, you get a 39-foot twist-locking vacuum hose that requires little effort to set up. It also has a limited, one-year factory warranty and a newly designed MX Flow regulator that boosts its efficacy. By controlling excess flow, the system boosts the power efficacy of this device.
Pressure-Side Pool Cleaners
Pressure-side cleaners are middle range pool accessories that are slightly expensive than suction-side cleaners but offer many additional benefits.
To work, your pressure pressure-side cleaner will need a return line that circulates water through its pump before it returns to your pool. The force of recirculating water creates a powerful suction that moves it in your pool.
Pressure-side cleaner has a bag (self-contained) that holds debris and dirt. The bag contains debris and dirt for cleaning, eliminating the need for an additional filtration system and a third-party pool skimmer to work well.
Polaris 280 | Side Suction Pool Cleaner
Even though the best pressure side cleaners use pool pumps and return lines to generate power, they do not strain the pump as much as suction-side cleaners often do. They also recirculate filtered water in the swimming pool.
Pressure-side cleaners are efficient and do not require a lot of effort to set up. Set up correctly, a new one can clean your swimming pool in just 2-3 hours. However, like most smart devices, it has drawbacks that you should know.
The major drawback of using a pressure-side cleaner is that they are costly compared to entry-level suction-side swimming pool cleaners. Moreover, if you have a large pool, you might need another booster pump to boost suction.
Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 | Pool Cleaner
The Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 is a highly rated pressure side pool cleaner that comes at an affordable price online. Moreover, The Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 does not need a booster pump to work, making it an economical pool accessory.
The Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 works in most in-ground pools found in homes. You also get an in-line backup valve that frees it automatically whenever it sticks on an obstacle to prevent damage.
The Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 has a highly productive all-wheel-drive system, powered by a triple jet cleaning system. The product has a self-contained design that does not rely on pool pumps to clean, prolonging their life as a result. Moreover, you do not need a filtration system to catch large debris.
The Polaris Vac-Sweep 360 has a 31-foot hose, a chamber bag with one filter, and detailed usage instructions that cover is set up, use, and maintenance. The frame has a 10-year warranty, while other parts have a 1-year factory warranty.
Robotic Automatic Pool Cleaners
While all three cleaners have automated systems, robotic cleaners have additional beneficial features, including a built-in filtration system. Therefore, they are top of the line in this niche in terms of their efficacy and technology.
Robotic cleaners are the best products for cleaning pools, as they are fast and efficient. They scrub, vacuum, and clean pools without effort from people. Some models have programmable navigation and remote-controlled access.
Robotic pool cleaners cost slightly more money than other automatic cleaners cost but remain sought-after due to the value they offer.
With a robotic cleaner at home, your stock pool pump will have less wear and tear as it does not depend on pumps and filters to work. Instead, you get a self-contained accessory with a built-in filtration system that does an excellent job always. They are fast and need little to no intervention to work well.
The downside of buying robotic pool cleaners is their high forefront cost compared to other pool cleaners. They remain an economical choice, though, because of their efficacy and the fact that you spend nil on pool maintenance.
Is it Necessary to Get an Automatic Pool Cleaner?
People use different techniques to keep their pools clean, including manually operated pool cleaners. The only issue with manually cleaning a pool is the amount of effort and time required to do well. Moreover, you will need harsh chemicals to clean because they are not as efficient as automatic cleaners are.
If you lack the skill or do not have time to clean pools manually, you can hire a professional to do it for you. Generally, this will cost you over $100 per session, including water balance/pH testing and general pool cleaning. While professional cleaners are efficient, the service costs a lot of money.
Pentair Kreepy Krauly Great White is a robust, automatic pool cleaner that pays for itself in less than six months. Moreover, it is convenient than hiring a professional as you can customize its system and use it to clean at any time.
While you do not need to buy an automatic pool cleaner to keep your pool clean, it is economical, efficient, and therefore worth owning one. Use one to save cash and time. Also, check the pH and water balance of the pool often.
