thriftymommy's Full Review: Hayward Aqua Bug Pool Cleaner
Hi! We recently purchased this cute little Aquabug off of Ebay for $95 plus $20 shipping and it WORKS! Here's what the manufacturer has to say about the specifications of this little Aquabug:
"The Hayward AquaBug automatic swimming pool cleaner is designed to clean the bottom of all sizes and shapes of above-ground/on-ground swimming pools -automatically. This attractive little fellow operates off the swimming pool's existing filtration system and features our exclusive SmartDriveŽ program steering so it won't miss a spot. Quiet, efficient and quite unique, AquaBug is competitively priced to be gobbled up in your store by happy swimming pool owners who will never be bugged by manual pool cleaning again.
Applications
* Level depth in-ground vinyl swimming pools
* Above-ground swimming pools (flat or dished bottoms)
* On-ground swimming pools
Features
* Patented SmartDrive programmed steering system ensures the entire bottom of the pool is cleaned quickly and completely
* Installs in less than 10 minutes, without tools
* Unique turbine/gearing system provides constant balanced water flow assuring quiet operation and gentle movement across the swimming pool bottom
* Improves water circulation by pulling water from the pool bottom as it moves
* Advanced, contoured head design allows the AquaBug to complete the steering pattern in minimal time
* Deluxe bumper ring minimizes friction for easy movement away from walls and resumption of the programmed steering pattern
* Slotted santropene corked shoes for quick turns
* 1 year warranty
Product Notes
Tips on Hose Requirements
A simple rule of thumb is to measure from the skimmer (or dedicated suction line) to the farthest point in the swimming pool then add two (2) extra hose lengths.
downloaded from www.haywardpoolproducts.com
My review: They are not lying when they say that this little bug actually does the job! We turned this on to open our pool a week ago since the bottom of the liner was slimy and filthy (even with the winter cover!). We hooked the extension tube up to the skimmer and placed the Aquabug in the pool (After removing the solar cover since it will tangle up in the cover). At first, I was very skeptical since it seemed to have travelled in no specific pattern (it looks like it's weaving erratically). Two hours later, the bottom of the pool was absolutely slime-free!
We've set this up every night this past week and I must say, it has really done a wonderful job of circulating the chemicals (which, although it's not its job, the Aquabug keeps the water swirling and moving and combined with the filter, the little bug really churns the water!!). We have a 24 foot round by 52 inch deep above ground pool and it covers the entire bottom in two hours! This really works well for it's price. It has a motor that is easily accessible from the underneath and was simple to assemble- hook up the hoses and place in pool. Total time figuring out how to work it and assemble it was less than 15 minutes (if I can do it, so can you!). I noticed right away that the cute orange color will fade easily within a year or two.
Downside: I can't use our pool alarm when using this; which means we have to turn off the alarm before placing this in the pool and then remembering to remove the bug and turn on the alarm. Even though it states gentle churning, it still sets off the alarm:-( Also, the solar cover needs to be removed prior to placing it in the pool. The directions state it will take an hour but it really takes two for larger pools.
Update: I had to break out the pool vacuum to get sand off the bottom of the pool. It seems as if the fine sand is not picked up by the Aquabug but it does get the dirt that collects in the center. Other than that, the hose must be kept flat; the directions are quite specific in this regard. I had curled it up and placed it in the pool supplies shed and it has a few kinks. Now I have to let it hang off the fence we have. Also, the Aquabug is filled with water when you lift it out and then when you want to place it back in the pool, when it is empty, you have to do this manually (getting in the pool to make sure it sinks to the bottom). Still happy with it though!
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.