Installing a Pool Vacuum Using a VacMate

[@randallisaeff1876]

Thank you! My Vacmate came without a manual. You made installation so easy!

[@JohnSWA]

I haven’t tried the vacmate yet, but I just converted my pop up cleaner to a vac system with “The Pool Cleaner” as you recommended and what a difference! My pool has never been so clean! And recommending the steps to stay on is working great too! Thank you so much for your help!

[@PoolSchooler]

That's fantastic!!! So glad you're please with the results.

[@jeffbrueggemann8207]

So simple & concise! Thank you. Improved my self-esteem HAHA to find out how easy it was! You're "da man" even though a Dback fan.

[@PoolSchooler]

Haha! Actually I would not necessarily call me a diamondback fan, I went to one game a while back and it was given to me. So it’s just a hat to protect my head from the sun. 😉

[@roddiesmith2167]

Thanks for this. I found this after I asked the question on converting my Polaris system to a vacuum system. Awesome work here. Keep up the excellent work.

[@PoolSchooler]

Glad it was helpful, hope you will subscribe to my channel and share it with your friends

[@jaykennedy764]

What an excellent to the point video!! Thank you so much!!

[@PoolSchooler]

Glad you liked it. Thanks for watching and commenting. Hope you subscribed to my channel and will share it with others.

[@jaykennedy764]

Thank you! I definietly subscribed!@@PoolSchooler

[@PoolSchooler]

@@jaykennedy764 Thank you.

[@danielsmith2459]

Great Explanation for all part and install👍🏽👍🏽

[@PoolSchooler]

Thanks for the comment.

[@amitparol44]

Your videos are awesome...i am a newbie, learning so much from your videos. Wasted $120 on pool orientation course earlier lol. Thanks

[@PoolSchooler]

amitparol44 happy to be of assistance.

[@sheilagwizdak5317]

Thank you! This helped me to troubleshoot some issues I was having with ours.

[@PoolSchooler]

Glad it was helpful, hope you will subscribe to my channel and share it, and please check out my new website poolschooler.com

[@horacelee880]

Great Video on the Vac_mate install . I have to skimmers in my inground pool one @ the shallow end near the pump & filter and the other @ the deep end so which Skimmer should I use for the Vac-Mate???

[@PoolSchooler]

I'd go with the one that is most central to the entire pool.

[@firazeli]

Absolutely awesome channel!!!

[@PoolSchooler]

Thank you so much for your comment. Please check out my latest production website at www.TappingTheWorld.com

[@louieavi]

I get far more pressure with my two floor drains then I do just with skimmer suction. I use the same vacuum as you recommend but I like the pool shark maybe more with my pebbletek pool. I dont have a dedicated vacuum although I wish I did. I tried the VacMate a few years again with my 1hp pump and it failed (now I have a 2hp pump). Ive had two pools guys try to disable my popups but the multiple stairs dont get cleaned otherwise. Yeah replacing 17 at $39 is pricy but I can shut them off when vacuuming. Installing a new actuator at $800 may have a dedicated pump installed soon too as we redo the pool. Again you repeat yourself too much but I find your info useful even if I dont fully agree with your logic as you info helps to confirm my process. Thanks..

[@ldudow]

I've had this for about 2 months now and love it because it has allowed me to drop my pump speed to just 1900 and it moves around the pool fantastically while using much less electricity than when I would have to run the pump at 2700 to get my Kreepy Krauly moving without the Vac-mate. My question is: my O-ring seal has cracked in multiple places as it seems to get sucked down into the skimmer area...or something. I don't know what is causing the cracking.... with it cracked I have lost the seal and therefore the suction to the cleaner is not enough to move it. I know I need to replace it, but what would be causing it to crack like this when I've only had it for a couple months. Also, the hole to the skimmer basket is so small that the leaves (primarily from an Oak and Ash trees) are too big to fit through, so it gets clogged easily. Can anything be done about this? Thank you!

[@PoolSchooler]

I’m assuming you mean the O-ring that goes around the rim of the skimmer part of the VacMate I have had times when that gets all deformed and mangled typically it’s because when you take it out of the skimmer sump it’s so nicely sealed inside the rim of the skimmer sub you have to be careful when you pull it out or it starts to stretch the O-ring. Sometimes it’s just the way they fit into the skimmer some and seal in there if it’s too tight then it’s possible that when you take it out it’s stretching out the O-ring.

[@firazeli]

I'm only able to see online for sale a vacmate made by Pentair. Is that the one? Thanks 🙏

[@PoolSchooler]

Yes that is the one. It's made by Pentair.

[@leo91363]

First of all thank you so much for all your videos very well explained and simple to follow, hoping you can help me out with this problem I have a automatic vacuum that stays on the pool as you suggest it works great for about three hours after I thoroughly clean the big filter on the fiberglass tank it is a chlorine pool after three or four hours I totally lose vacuum everywhere skimmer too by about 75% even though the filter is not dirty cause I cleaned it 4 hours earlier can you help?

[@PoolSchooler]

Is this an above ground pool? You may need to clean the filter more often if it's a small filter.

[@Beatsnroots]

I have an in ground pool cleaner that I took the accuator out of and converted using a vac mate and baracuda g3. Assembling and inserting was super easy thanks to your vid! It worked for literally 5 min and then stopped 😭 Ive checked my hoses, took out and reinserted the vac mate, cleaned all baskets and it doesnt seem to work. The pop up heads are still in the pool so maybe thats clogging the water flow? Any suggestions where to go from here?

[@PoolSchooler]

Did you use one of the included screw in plugs to stop suction being diverted to the floor drain? (it's the other hole in the skimmer). If so, check your vacuum and make sure it doesn't have a rock or something stuck in the diaphragm. The pop up heads shouldn't affect it because they're on the return side.

[@adriandelgado4330]

Hello my skimmer is not entirely smooth, it has two spots on opposing sides where there are tabs -- looks like something slides to lock in place underneath them. Are familiar with this type of skimmer rim? Do you think I could still use the device you are describing? I tried to use a "pentair plate vac plus ii" which is similar to what you are describing---but can't seem to get it to seal tight due to the tabs I am describing.

[@PoolSchooler]

I would have to see videos or pictures of what you are describing. You can email them to me at. [e-mail]

[@letsgob7297]

Great video thanks. Can I use silicone gel to seal the vacmate to the basket? Could that help the seal?

[@PoolSchooler]

I wouldn't do that since then you wouldn't be able to separate the two parts to empty the skimmer basket when it gets debris in it. So my answer would be no.

[@susartyn3386]

I just watched your video on how to Install the Vac-Mate. GREAT video. It was very helpful. But, my system is not working. I think it might be because our pool is not full enough. I see from your video that the water level is up completely covering the weir and elbow. My water level is about an inch lower, the elbow and top of weir are exposed. Any advice or guidance would be great.

[@PoolSchooler]

You'd have to email me a pic of what you're describing. [e-mail]

[@josephbutros8526]

Add more H2o

[@arthur113113]

great video and awesome go thru. QUestion on the maintenance on vacmate. Seems like when you put in it o skimmer hole need to tweak angle or slightly hammer it in. Will this cause damage on the vacmate like doing this weekly(take vacmate out-clean basket- put in back in)? Another question is how to efficient set the pump RPM if using varied speed pump. Like if found 2800rpm is good for vacmate and the vacuum machine to clean and also the skimmer has suction, but for other rpm maybe the vacuum machine lose its function since rpm too low and skimmer also has low suction to clean floating leaves. In this case the low rpm just good for pool water circulation. Do you have any input or recommendation here? Thanks!

[@PoolSchooler]

It's sometimes a tight fit but you don't want to force it in. And I don't believe I "hammered" it in in the video. That very well could cause damage to the vacmate. If using a variable speed pump you want at least 2800 if not 3000 rpm to get adequate suction. You can play with the speed and adjustment to get the setting that will best for work for your vac. And yes, the lower speed is for water circulation and filtration. See my video on filter run times : kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIOkeZ-Ym76drck

[@legalfamfam1519]

If you currently have a suction side cleaner, such as a letro legend ii, do you suggest a vacuum as a better option?

[@sherrikoers1438]

Thanks !😎

[@PoolSchooler]

You’re welcome

[@wwilliams1358]

Another newbie here, (3 weeks) and I've been enjoying the learning of pool maintenance via your videos! I like how you explain everything clearly and simply! Loved your Phosphate Algae/Aljay video that was an eye opener to chemicals needed and not needed. Question with this VacMate, how does it know where to go? Or does it just go random and hopefully/eventually cleans all areas? I'm old school, so I vacuum the old way. Thanks again for your videos, and I will definitely share with others!

[@PoolSchooler]

Thank you for your kind comments and thank you for watching. With regards to your question the vac mate is actually the unit that goes in the skimmer that allows you to attach a vacuum to it the vacuum itself The vacuums are categorized as random coverage vacuums so they move around the pool freely and most of the good ones will cover the entire pool bottom during the full runtime of the pump which is usually around 6 to 8 hours.

[@PoolSchooler]

My two favorite vacs are (in order) the Zodiac Barracuda G3 and then The Pool Cleaner (the 4 wheel version is the one in this video and it's for pools with deep ends but they do make a 2 wheel version for "play pools".) Here's a link to a video I did on the G3: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHekmqx6oZudiNE

[@meloniealkhatib5871]

Can I use the vac mate with a weighted manual vac head? We have a small play pool and I just can see spending $500 for a more expensive and I’m sure better vac head. We’ve had pop ups repaired and it’s getting to be so expensive. I’m trying to figure the best way to convert to traditional vacuum.

[@PoolSchooler]

Melanie Alkhatib I guess you could certainly use the VacMate with a manual vacuum head. But I would not see the need to really do that unless you already have a VacMate. But I would plug your vacuum hose directly into the skimmer suction port which would mean you would just take out your skimmer basket to do it. That way you get full suction to your vacuum head.

[@jg7857]

The instruction manual talks about putting that gauge in there and then with a screwdriver turning a screw until you get the pressure gauge to a certain point and then reversing it to bring it down one digit once you do that they say take off the gauge and put that one little screw plug in there. So from what you’re saying you don’t have to set this up using the gauge just plug it in with the little plug and that’s it?

[@PoolSchooler]

I don't like those gauges you can easily watch your pool vac and adjust the suction on the unit to make sure the vac moves up the wall a bit BUT not all the way out of the pool.

[@gregb5930]

Purchased a new to us home with a pool in Charleston. I have a small 15,000 gallon fiberglass pool, 3-5 feet. I have a polaris booster pump and have tried the polaris 280 and it wouldn't move very on the fiberglass floor. What cleaner would you recommend? Do I need the vac? I had a much larger vinyl liner pool and much easier to maintain. Fiberglass has black algae at water level, lights went out after 2 days of use... Fixed booster pump with new capacitor. Salt Chlorinator was replaced under warranty. Fun stuff all in 8 weeks. Anyway, what pool cleaner system do you recommend? The pool companies want to sell me a Dolphin...

[@PoolSchooler]

Having a stay in the pool vac is best as you typically won't have to vacuum it (unless you have a major storm). BUT I prefer the suction side vacuums over the return side ones like the Polaris. I'd suggest getting rid of the Polaris and purchasing a Zodiac Barracuda G3 pool vac and install it using a Vacmate Skimmer adapter (or if you have a dedicated suction port in the side of the pool use that. Also check out my new website poolschooler.com for lots of money saving exclusive content for the DIY pool owner.

[@gregb5930]

@@PoolSchooler Thanks, will do!

[@gregb5930]

@@PoolSchooler Is this better than the pool cleaner?

[@PoolSchooler]

@@gregb5930 My favorite pool vac is the Zodiac Barracuda G3. Check out the video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHekmqx6oZudiNE Also for more $$$ savings tools, tips and links check out my website poolschooler.com

[@gregb5930]

@@PoolSchooler It keeps getting stuck on the bottom step, just like the Vingli and the Polaris 280. Any other ones to suggest, much appreciated.

[@mustafamasad284]

I lost the nut attachment to the basket. Do you know where I can get one. Also the stick does not go all the way thru basket it’s shorter the yours.

[@lauraeilts4948]

Love your videos - they are very helpful. Where are you located? Do you make house calls?

[@PoolSchooler]

I do have my own pool service in AZ

[@PoolSchooler]

If you'd like to know what areas I service in AZ shoot me an email and I"ll respond.

[@stevensinderbrand8184]

When Vacmate was install over six months ago it worked great. Now I have lost most of the speed of the vacuum. Directly connect vacuum and no problems. After checking all connections the vacumate shows skimmer suction but virtually nothing through the vacuum.....

[@PoolSchooler]

Did you check to make sure that the plug that goes in the bottom of the skimmer to plug off the floor drain pipe is still in place? Based on what you’re describing it sounds like that plug has come out.

[@stitchg6060]

Why do you have to plug the other hole? When i use a regular manual vacuum i don't have to plug it.

[@PoolSchooler]

Because a regular manual vacuum plugs directly into the hole that sucks directly to the pump. The other hole goes to the floor drain and if it's not plugged when you put in the vacMate the suction will divert to that hole and you won't get enough suction for the vacuum.

[@stitchg6060]

@@PoolSchooler thank you!

[@pamwebb6606]

Do they make them for above ground pools?

[@PoolSchooler]

Sadie Adler not that I know of.

[@PoolSchooler]

Sadie Adler but they do Make some pretty good pool vacs for above ground pools.

[@pamwebb6606]

What are ur thoughts on adding borates to a saltwater pool?

[@PoolSchooler]

Sadie Adler I don’t really have any experience with that combination so unfortunately I can’t comment on it. Sorry.

[@Jennie444]

What are your thoughts for this type of vacuum with a liner pool? I traditionally vacuum my pool, but have longed for an automatic one that won't ruin the vinyl!

[@PoolSchooler]

I wouldn't do it. It could damage the vinyl liner. I'd suggest doing a google search for above ground pool vacuums so you can find one that is made for a vinyl liner.

[@Jennie444]

Thank you!! It’s an in-ground with a 10ft deep end. I fear my days of doing it manually will continue. At least it’s a good workout! Love your videos, very helpful!!

[@PoolSchooler]

@@Jennie444 I appreciate the complement. But there are some good pool vacs that certainly can work with a vinyl liner. I did a search and found this link. Hope it helps. pool vacuums for vinyl pools

[@PoolSchooler]

well that one didn't work. Try this one: www.poolsupplyworld.com/blog/best-cleaners-for-vinyl-pools/

[@Jennie444]

Pool School THANK YOU!!!! 🎉

[@commieslayer8218]

I just cannot find anything about adjusting the by-pass valve, not manual for vac-mate neither this adjustment procedures.

[@PoolSchooler]

What bypass valve are you talking about. Sorry I think I need more specifics to help further.

[@kregemilyleoqueenprints6685]

I installed it and the vacuum works great. However my waterfall stopped working now?!???!?

[@PoolSchooler]

The vacuum shouldn't interfere with that. Check your return lines to make sure you didn't turn off the return to your waterfall. Or if you have a separate pump for the waterfall make sure that's ok.

[@kregemilyleoqueenprints6685]

@@PoolSchooler everything was working until I put in the vac mate and vacuum. Vacuum works awesome but now the waterfall doesn’t work. ONLY thing different is the vac mate.

[@kregemilyleoqueenprints6685]

@@PoolSchooler Did I see in one of your videos that you are in Arizona? I am in Laveen. Any way I can connect with you and have you come out and look at my system to help me get it set up and running properly?

[@PoolSchooler]

@@kregemilyleoqueenprints6685 if you email me your contact information I will give you a call. [e-mail]

[@PoolSchooler]

@@kregemilyleoqueenprints6685 Absolutely, please email me your contact information and I will give you a call. My email address is [e-mail]

[@markbaca3562]

Why do you plug the floor drain hole in the suction? Ours is not plugged. You say to plug it but Why do you plug it? You say it is very important to plug the floor drain hole?

[@Geekydrones]

Mine broke before the first year. The big ring shredded, basket is falling apart, and the top plastic is cracked.

[@PoolSchooler]

Do you leave the vacuum in your pool or do you take it out regularly?

[@lp7991]

You totally skipped the part with regard to assembling the post. I have a bunch of pieces and can't find a video showing how to assemble it. Can you please refer me to a video I may have missed on how to do this? Thanks.