Ideally, you need to run your robot pool cleaner daily or at least once a day if you're always swimming in it. But if you don't swim in it as much, run it at least once weekly or every two weeks. When you're using a swimming pool cover all the time, you may wash your pool monthly.
If it's winter, and you've left the pool cover on the whole time, you can run the cleaner once a month for good measure. If it's summer, and you're using the pool a few hours a day, but covering it the rest of the time, you should run the cleaner at least twice a week.
The rule of thumb for pool maintenance is to run your pump for eight hours per day.
Automatic Vacuum
You should allow the vacuum to run until it has cleaned the entire pool, including the bottom and the sides. This averages between two and six hours. The better your pool has been maintained -- for example, if you vacuum every week -- the less time it takes.
Cleaners aren't meant to stay in the pool 24/7. This is true for all cleaners. Pressure side cleaners run on a schedule every day so why take it out? Leaving the cleaner in the pool 24/7 increases its exposure to corrosive chemicals in the water, such as chlorine or shock.
Brushing thoroughly 1-2 times per week will prevent these materials from having the time to create a stain. Brush to Prevent Algae: Every pool can grow algae, but plaster, quartz, and aggregate finishes are more susceptible.
Bottom Line: Yes! Robotic pool cleaners are 100% worth the investment. It'll be the best money you ever spent on your swimming pool. Any automatic swimming pool cleaner should be able to clean your pool within about three hours, depending on your pool's size.
However, (when adding chemicals to the pool) please remove the Dolphin until the proper chlorine and PH balance are obtained. While the unit can remain in the pool during use of the weekly timer function (if available on your model), we do not recommend leaving the cleaner in the pool for long extended periods of time.
If you have a manual vacuum, you'll run it as long as it takes for your to vacuum your pool. If you have an automated vacuum, it will run anywhere between two and six hours depending on your pool size.
It has an auto start cycle to run every 1, 2, or 3 days, which I would like to use. But, the manual says "after each cleaning cycle take it out of the water to prevent accelerated wear and tear on its plastic parts". Makes no sense to give us a feature and then tell us not to use it.
It's best to run your pool pump during the day
Not only does sunlight give fuel for algae to grow, it also destroys your pool chlorine and this is why you should always run your pool during the day!
One very important rule to remember: Just because pool water is clear doesn't mean it is sanitary or in proper chemical balance. Depending on the size of your pool, we still recommend the pump run 8-10 hours per day during the hottest summer months and at least 6 hours per day during the winter months.
The size of your pool, the efficiency of your pump and filter, and how dirty your pool is are just some of the factors you need to consider. Nevertheless, most pool cleaning professionals would advise against running a pool pump for more than 8 hours a day.
Remember: vacuuming your pool regularly will help keep your pH balanced easier and more controlled. Skim your pool for debris, such as leaves, bugs, etc. and be sure to check your skimmer and empty that regularly as well.
In general, it's a good idea to vacuum your pool once a week. You should also vacuum your swimming pool any time you notice large amounts of debris, dirt, or leaves on the floor of the pool (for example, your pool may need vacuuming after a heavy storm).
The manual says you should put it away after each use and I usually do. I haven't seen any adverse effect from leaving it in the pool occasionally.
The Polaris pool cleaner is the better choice here. Not only is it slightly less expensive than its Dolphin competitor, but it can also manage a slightly larger pool than the Dolphin pool cleaner. It also uses more impressive technology to navigate and clean your pool.
Robotic pool cleaners are the best by our standards. However, they are also the most expensive. Robotic cleaners are effective at cleaning large and small debris. They also circulate the pool water when your filter isn't running and scrub your tile lines and pool wall.
On average, gunite swimming pools last 7 to 10 years before they need to be resurfaced. When that time comes, it's important to know what options are available so that you can pick the best choice for your backyard space.
But a properly built Gunite pool can and should last for 100 years or more, with no risk of cracking whatsoever. We've been building Gunite pools for more than 40 years (more than 4000 swimming pools), and we've never had one crack yet.
Chlorine is added to the water to kill germs. But it does not work right away. If used properly, free chlorine* can kill most germs within a few minutes. CDC recommends pH 7.2–7.8 and a free chlorine concentration of at least 1 ppm in pools and at least 3 ppm in hot tubs/spas.
If your pool pump manufacturer has declared your pump is rain safe, you can leave it on in rainfall. Nevertheless, during a thunderstorm, it is highly recommended that you switch off and unplug your pool pump to prevent any costly and irreversible damages to your pool equipment.
Should I run my pump while it's raining? Zagers says yes! We recommend that our customers run their pumps rain or shine UNLESS we have an electrical storm. In that case, lightning could strike an outside circuit, which could damage your pump and other equipment.
Answer: It should not matter much. It could help to filter debris and contaminants the rain washes into the pool. However, lightning can be a concern with the filter running.