Homemade Swimming Pool Cleaner - 1 Yr. Review

[@PeterGregg]

Just a suggestion - I have a leak so I have to prime my in ground pool pump often. If you extend the intake to your pump a bit and install a faucet with an adapter to accept your garden hose you can turn on the hose and it will prime your pump for you as enough water is going through to suck the water up from the pool along with the hose water to prime the pump. After having to fill the pump with water so often by opening the basket and filling with water over and over, the hose connection fills it for me in about 4 or 5 minutes. My leak will get fixed - eventually 😂 Thanks for your videos, big thumbs up 👍👍👍👍👍

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

Great suggestion.

[@KenCardarelli]

So glad you did the follow-up video with full explanation. I made the same rig but used a clear check valve which holds more water and makes priming easier. Your videos are great and you are to be commended for taking us through the build and vacuuming procedure. Well done!

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

Thanks Ken, we love this unit so far. Hope it helps people.

[@hanzreynado]

Did you connect the clear check valve between the hose and pump? Do you mind sending the link of the valve you used?

[@krehbein]

I’ve had my pool for 21 years now. A few years ago I saw these filter stations on wheels the pros use. But they’re a couple grand. Thanks to your video I found a way to make my own for $300. Found a good deal on a 25sf canister filter. Kind of small, we’ll see how often I have to clean it. Doesn’t really matter, only going to use this in the spring and summer. 🎉

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

Outstanding. Glad I could help.

[@williamwhitney3589]

"A pool is just a hole in the ground that one pours money into." Amen, brother! Gonna build me one of this next month!

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

Good luck. Hope you enjoy it. We love ours.

[@williamwhitney3589]

Ok, so I built one along the lines of your rig. However, I am having a devil of a time with pumps! I have bought and returned two pumps due to them not being able to maintain a prime. I filled the hose, the pump basket, and opened the air release on the canister. No luck. On the first go-round I went with a 3/4HP, inground pool rated unit, and it would never ever prime. The second pump, a 1.5HP inground pool rated, dual speed unit would not pull prime until I built a PVC (glued) 1-1/2 inch draw tube that the flexible hose attached to under water. My thougts were that the pool wall suction supply for the pool sweep didn't have any air leaks. This time the pump pulled a prime, reluctantly. I ran it over a couple of days and lots of cleaning, and it really did the trick! Then it stopped pulling a prime alltogether after the second day. Now I am going through your specs, and see that you used a 2.0HP inground pool rated pump. Did you go through any of this "teething" problems on your journey to a workable/reliable setup? The two days I had a working unit, I worked great, and just in time for July 4th! Thanks again for your KZbin video and any thoughts or tips you can share. Regards, Bill

[@AmandaDoll-hi4dr]

Hi Scott, i like your swimming pool. Nice job

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

Thanks Amanda. Hope you’re having a good week.

[@AmandaDoll-hi4dr]

You too Scott

[@alindfw7767]

Thank you for posting this for me Scott. Truely appreciated. I'm now wondering if I bought an above ground pump instead of an inground since mine is so difficult to prime. I did buy a check valve from HD a few hours ago and changed a few pieces on it, so I'll be back out there in the morning giving it another go. Thank you again for taking the time to post this video!

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

No worries. Hope you get it nailed down. As you can see, I normally don’t have any issues. Good luck.

[@RandWFarmstead-TonyWalsh]

Great job and tips Scott. Thanks for sharing and hope you have a blessed day my friend.

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

Thanks for watching

[@justmike57]

Oh my Gosh, I wish I was in Texas for a few weeks right now. I am tired of the snow or frost, or cold rain. Don't have a pool, but there is maintenance for sure on a pool. I never heard if you guys ever use the pool, besides the dogs, lol. Great job on the pool maintenance and how to get the pump/cleaner primed and cleaned up.

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

Come on down Mike. We use the pool during the summer months. Especially on the weekends when we come back from the farm.

[@lornerouire1496]

Just a suggestion for filling the vacuum hose with water, if you hold the connection end of your vacuum hose over your pool jet, the water coming out of the jet will push the air out of the vacuum hose in a few seconds. The only issue is that it will sometimes cause the handle to push out into the pool.

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

Great advice. Thanks for sharing.

[@southtexashay777]

Nice setup Scott. They do work well and easy to clean and back into action. Have a great week.

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

Thanks Sir. Hope you have a great hay season!

[@southtexashay777]

Don't look good. No irrigation water due to the draught.@@HeritageFarmsTexas

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

Sorry to hear that. Hopefully you’ll get rain soon.

[@40arpent]

For priming, I would try making the pipe between the pump and filter lower and add a tee with a valve facing upward. This would allow to fill the system with water from there with a hose and purge any air in the pipes in theory.

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

I agree totally. Great idea.

[@Kay-jk2gi]

Thnx for sharing! What types of auto robot cleaners were you using before this? Abt how long did they last you and what did they cost you?

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

Dolphin? Polaris? Seemed like they would only last 1-2 years. Some were very expensive $1k and didn’t work that great.

[@AlexK07010]

is that a vevor cartridge filter? i got the same one, having hard time trying to find a fitting for the vevor supplied unions. seems 2" pipe doesn't fit and 1.5" pvc pipe is too loose. Did you use vevor unions or something else?

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

Yes it is a Vevor. I used the fittings that came with filter. All other parts purchased at Lowe’s/Home Depot. Hope that helps.

[@AlexK07010]

@@HeritageFarmsTexas Thank you. is your pvc pipe 1.5" or 2"?

[@clagrow]

To fill the hose with water VERY quickly, just put the end of the hose in front of the return "eye" until the the bubbles stop comin gup from the opposite end of the hose.

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

Good idea.

[@patrickcarroll1755]

How long of vac hose do you use? I made this same set up with a 240 volt 2hp Amazon pump, when using a short hose to test I had plenty of flow, connect to my normal vac hose and it barely trickles any water, seems like it doesn’t have enough lift.

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

Not sure the length of the vac hose. Standard I guess. Did you fill the hose with water prior to starting the pump?

[@patrickcarroll1755]

@@HeritageFarmsTexasyep and filled the pump side as well. I’m thinking either too long of vac hose or hose has some spots where air is coming in. I tried it with a short 4’ hose and it had so much suction it pinched the hose closed at the end.

[@stevezh]

Love your idea. What’s HP of the pump? Thanks

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

1.5 or 2. Cannot recall.

[@Sleepy4life]

add a check valve between the hose and pump and it's 5x easier to prime and when you clean pump filter you dont have to reprime

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

Great advice. I’ve never had an issue with priming as long as I prefilled the hose. That would make it easier. Appreciate it.

[@Drifter5.7]

That's pretty handy. I always wanted a pool, but in my neighbor's yard so I can swim then leave LOL. You keep the pool nice so so you can enjoy it when needed most. How well does that skim out dog hair ?

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

Thanks DJ. Pool filter does a good job.

[@Cyberman1960]

Nice job...

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

Appreciate it.

[@stevegibson6755]

im in florida at a apartment complex. we lost our pool guy but have a hammerhead pool vac that has been sitting for over a year. the marine battery it came with is dead. how can i bypass the battery and put it on a plug since its not going anywhere but here.

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

@@stevegibson6755. Not sure. Probably cannot. Guessing hammerhead is 12 volt.

[@champsfims]

does the water go directly into the pump unfiltered and then from the pump into a filter. isnt it bad to expose the pump to the dirt?

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

Hello. Yes the pool water goes into the pump and then through a filter to clean it. This is exactly the same as your pool equipment. For a pool, Water is pulled from bottom drain(dirty) or skimmers (dirty) through the pump to the filter which removes dirt /trash before returning to the pool.

[@jerrymeeuwse4957]

Howdy Scott, Watched this video a couple of times and I must say, I really like it. I'm in the same boat. I sent you a message at Haritage Farms with a couple questions. Thanks so much.

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

I’ll look for the email. Thanks.

[@honchos1982]

What are fittings for the pvc pipe. Instead of pvc can you put regular hose if so what are the items.

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

Thanks for watching. Not sure I’m understanding your question. Sorry.

[@honchos1982]

I don’t wanna use pvc I wanna use regular hose. What fitting can I use for regular hose.

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

I don’t know.

[@bloodandguts88]

You can just put your hose in the pump I didn't use any PCs there and it goes perfect​@@honchos1982

[@jasonbuiui6873]

Hey Scott, is there anyway you can provide a video on the wiring, I am building my own vacuum at the moment and not sure how to approach it. Thanks!

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

Sorry I do t have footage of that. But there is a ton of KZbin videos on installing a basic switch. Good luck.

[@honchos1982]

Quick question where would I get a replacement filter for that system

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

Any pool place or Amazon is where I would start. Good luck

[@ErnestoVazquezChoby1000]

How heavy that setup is?

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

Not very. 50-60 lbs?

[@stevepena2458]

Nice setup. Is your filter a 100 sq ft capacity?

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

Not exactly sure, it’s fairly small. Definitely in that range.

[@phatjumper1]

What size of pipe did you use to connect the pump to filter?

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

1.5”

[@DRamrod1]

What type/ where did you get the filter?

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

Hello, I bought all the parts off Amazon. Hope that helps. Good luck.

[@IDNHANTU2day]

Why add extra equipment when you already have it. I just added a by pass valve to my equipment to divert the water, not to my main filter. But directly into a drain that goes to the the street. So much cheaper.

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

That’s one way to do it. It’s also a redundancy play.

[@NoneyaTexasontheback20]

We plastered ours last year uuuuggghggh

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

We need to plaster ours right now. Just hate throwing money away. Ugh.

[@NoneyaTexasontheback20]

@@HeritageFarmsTexas well it’s Texas and summer coming.. it does add that 100 k value to house…. I priced one to go at farm…. We got cow trough 😂

[@kennyg572]

Why dont u just let your regular pool pump system take the dirt out during normal cycle on Orr just use your regular pool equipment ,attach a hose and vacuum it into your regular filter that u alaredy have back there?

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

Thanks for commenting. Convience is the best answer. Too far away is the second answer. The ability to not fill up/clog the main filter. This set up is just like the pool cleaning guys you see with one on the back of their trucks. But a lot less expensive.

[@NoneyaTexasontheback20]

With cost of chemical and time I find it easier and better just to hire a pool guy 😂.

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

I’m reaching a point, that I agree with you. I want to spend every minute at the farm.

[@NoneyaTexasontheback20]

@@HeritageFarmsTexas lol. Right!

[@CableMan67]

I made the same setup and was about to return the pump because it would not prime. Thought i got a bad pump! The problem was I had the hose backwards 😂😂 Thanks to rhis video: kzbin.infohtv2o9cSwuE?si=fuaM29IebD_UGB-R

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

Glad it worked out. Good luck.

[@orig66Super]

You still got 10 minutes to go on your 1/2 hr full day of work.

[@HeritageFarmsTexas]

Thanks for watching