Skim a Round Review

/ beerleaguehockey

[@Danaton2]

They don't honor their warranty. The website states free replacement parts including shipping. The top of mine broke and I contacted them for a replacement part. They sent me an invoice for $15.99 for shipping which is more than the part and shipping cost - total ripoff. Its made of cheap plastic that will break easily. I noticed they have shut off comments on a lot of their social media to avoid having complaints posted about their products.

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

Thanks for the information Dana, I pinned your comment to warn others. Thank-you for the comment

[@rickgraft2052]

I use 1 gallon paint strainer mesh from The Home Depot in place of the sock. Better water flow and picks up my dogs hair really well.

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

I never thought of that! I saw filter socks for the strainer in the pump, I was thinking of one for it

[@stephenpeterson2865]

I was going to suggest this, too! You can buy a box of 25 for $20 on amazon. When my strainer is full, I swap it out for a clean one. I then let the dirty one dry. Once it is dry, I simply turn it inside out and you can remove all the dry debris easily and reuse it. Eventually, you will have to replace it with a new one, but a box of 25 lasts me a year and I have 3 chocolate labs, a golden retriever, and a St. Bernard all of which are swimmers. The paint strainer does wonders catching the dog hair and is not as fine as that sock thingy so it doesn't affect your water flow.

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

I’ve been using them too for awhile, they do help out a lot. Thanks for posting Stephen!

[@johnsegale5983]

Just because it spins, doesn't mean it is sucking more. Your pump is still pulling and pushing the same amount.

[@pgnandt]

A vortex in the skimmer is something that is avoided.

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

Thank you for your comments, I was a new home/pool owner when I saw this and wanted to try it out.

[@pgnandt]

@@BeerLeagueHockey Just maintain your door weir. That's what's skimming your pool. Thanks for posting the video. This is just snake oil. It's wrong.

[@McRockfish]

Check their BBB rating. F. For a reason. You have to redirect all flow to the skimmers to get this to work, and I still couldn't get it to work with out putting the pump on full. My regular skimmers would have worked if I did that. Hard to take out and clean compared to a regular skimmer. And this skimmer pops up when your pump goes off and you have to push it back down. every time! ugh. Buyer beware. Also, run away from any company that will not take a phone call. Just try and find a working phone number for them. They have no phone number for customer service or returns. None.

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

Hi McRockfish. After your comment, I tried searching for their phone number. Google pulled up this number [phone] which just takes you to their wholesale line, and redirects customers here www.skim-a-round.com/pages/contact-form-1 to fill out an online form. Not sure how they'd contact you back, email I'm assuming; but like you I think I would rather speak to a live person instead. Thanks for the heads up. I'm still using my Skim-around, it operates fine even if adjusting my valve to mostly the vacuum side. I don't have a variable speed pump, which maybe why I have less issues than some; I have an older in-ground pool. Mine will settle back down when the pump is pulling, but it does float once the pump is off. So some debris can sneak past the basket and get into the pump, once it starts back up. Thanks again for the comment, and letting us know the trouble you've had with yours.

[@josephmcclure7326]

Tried it and it was disappointing!! It pulled harder and removed more with weir and no skim around

[@OsamaBenFartin]

Don’t wast your money! You can increase suction on your in ground skimmer, and get better results. All negative comments, and complaints are removed from their FB page, and nearly impossible to get a refund. 👎🏼

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

Thanks for the comment NorCal, I have read that too about people trying to get refunds etc from them; it being nearly impossible.

[@jeffalbrecht206]

I was ready to order 2 of these - but with 112 complaints and no customer service???....i am worried about getting taken!!! If you have bought them, how are they working?!

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

I did buy mine, before I found out about their low BBB score. So far with mine, I haven’t had any complaints. It shipped and arrived on time, no real issues dealing with them; but I hadn’t tried to get a refund or anything. From a previous comment; I do use a 1 gallon paint strainer mesh bag in the skimmer to help collect pet hair and things. Works way better than the sock they provide.

[@jvega0385]

I have an older pool with a non variable pump and it works great for me...but I hear if you have a newer pool with a variable pump it womt work...I have the problem that the tornado it creates is to large and my pump sucks in air...I have to maintain the water level in the pool high to prevent the issue...if the guy in the video made it so the water level completely covers the skimmer it should create the tornado effect I think

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

@@jvega0385 Hi Jeremy, thanks for the comment! My pool is older too, maybe its why I haven't much issue with the skimmer, unless the water level gets low like you said. Thanks for watching!

[@carrotcake1955]

Enjoyed your video. Doesn’t seem any better. Personally I don’t think suction increases because same pump…same suction. Just twirls around. Good luck though.

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

Hi Hamster, thanks for your post. I eventually went back to a conventional basket. The Skim-Around didn't fall apart or anything, I just wanted the connivence for removing and cleaning.

[@wbrian]

What is the benefit of having a cy lone effect in the skimmer? Wouldn't it suck in air?

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

Hi Brian, it doesn’t suck air in. The cyclone effect seems to help speed up the water, to draw debris into the basket

[@jvega0385]

If the water level in the pool is low it does suck in air...I had that problem with mine and couldn't figure out why my pump kept getting air...come to find out the tornado effect was to strong

[@Jake-ws7xf]

I've had 17 years experience in the business. Yes they can very much so pull in air. We give our clients new skimmer baskets for free when we see these. Cons 1. Very difficult to clean vs standard baskets. 2. Can absolutely cause a pool pump to cavitate. Possibly burn up. A 600-2500$ mistake. 3. Can cause your pump to think it's running dry and cut off. Which you can imagine causes all sorts of terrible problems. 4. With a properly working skimmer weir you can accomplish close to the same results. Your question was what is the benefit? As a pool guy I'll tell you the only benefit for me, is that your pool pump is far more likely to die prematurely. As long as this product exists, I'll pull in some extra cash.

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

Thanks Jake, for the detailed comment. The pool people I’ve asked never gave me much information on them

[@pgnandt]

@@Jake-ws7xf 23 years servicing. Retired. This is a gimmick taking advantage of people who just don't know. Shame on them. I have never had a problem where I couldn't get a pool to skim using a floating weir with proper return line adjustments/diverting/water rotation. Door or basket weir is all you need. Both in this case. New service customers I would also give away the cheap stuff. First impression are lasting.

[@michaelmcguire1296]

If you decrease the size of the hole on ANY plumbing apparatus, of course the velocity will appear to INCREASE... what a gimmick!

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

Thanks for the comment Michael, can’t argue your science

[@MCADPE]

It doesn't appear to increase, it actually does. That's Bernoulli's principle, and the driving principle behind this skimmer.

[@pgnandt]

@@MCADPE Bernoulli affect ("equation") is what water does in a pipe when the pipe changes direction and the drag it creates. Has nothing to do with surface water or surface tension. This is a vortex. They say it's good but it's bad. You never want to suck air into your suction line.

[@dougsupetdadr]

This is just a facebook marketing half scam. If you have a weir wall (flapper door) in you skimmer, like is seen in this pool, you do not need this. It does nothing for you to get floating debris into the skimmer. If you have no weir wall (flapper) then this would help. Think about it. You can see the water entering the skimmer, going over the weir wall of the skimmer. That is all the water going into the skimmer. it does not change now that you have this half scam product in it.

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

Hi Doug, thanks for your comment. I agree that everyone should leave their weir door attached, regardless of what they use. The purpose of my video, was I saw this on Facebook and wanted to try it out. And I thought my video could help others decide if they wanted it or not. I am surprised how well it still works when it has quite a bit of debris inside. We have Oleander and other trees that get quite a few pedals and leaves in the pool when windy, and this seems to work a little better at trapping when full. Thank-you for your comment, and for watching!

[@jasonesposito1383]

It states in the directions that you should remove the weir door if you use this product. It states this because its designed for skimmers that do not have a door or the door broke off.

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

It appears it’s optional to remove, I’ve left mine, and it still works. I added a 1 gallon paint strainer, to catch pet hair. cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1300/7547/files/ALL_IN_ONE_Manual_3Rings.pdf

[@josephmcclure7326]

Also had to pay 1/3 of the cost to return the stupid thing..

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

Hi Joseph, thanks for leaving a comment. I left my weir door on and seems to do ok. It is tends to come apart now when I remove it to dump out the leaves, which has become very annoying. Even after making sure it’s snapped tightly together

[@ahawk1968]

Hi folks, fwiw, I've had one since the start of the pool season. Was hoping for a solution because I'm unable to keep a weir door functional in my skimmer. This thing has so far worked great! I don't have a timer or auto function with our pump so no issues with the basket rising/ not rising, ECT. I just match the water level to the basket when starting the pump and empty the basket when pump goes off. For me, with no weir door, this was a great solution, well worth the money.

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

Thank-you for your comment! I went out and picked up some 1 gallon paint screening bags, and put one in the skimmer to catch the dog fur for when our husky joins us in the pool. Think I got 6 for $10, helps pick up the little things that might slip though the skimmer. I haven’t had any real issues with mine either. Thanks for watching!!

[@ahawk1968]

@@BeerLeagueHockey Our German Shepherd loves to swim too, i just let the skimmer basket catch the hair instead of the sock seems to work well. I don't find much hair in the pump basket and haven't had to backwash the filter anymore often.

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

We have a mini husky, there was enough fur in the filters to make another dog for us ha ha ha. Was so gross

[@ahawk1968]

@@BeerLeagueHockey I hear ya brother!! We call our dog a German Shed- herd. Also wanted to mention that we get a lot of blowing dust too ( El Paso). Have noticed the skim action does work great ( better) for us too.

[@paraglox]

are you still using a weir door and the skim around?

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

Hello, sorry I didn’t see your comment. Yes the weir door is still attached, I only removed the basket

[@okharren]

BUYER BEWARE! They only give you a 15 day return policy and the design requires a MUCH HIGHER WATER LEVEL in your pool. You must constantly monitor your water level and not let it drop below top of skim-a-round

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

Hi Christopher, thanks for the post. After I purchased, I had heard of some negative reviews for them on the BBB. Although I haven’t had any issues with mine, it’s a good thing to keep in mind for someone thinking of getting one.

[@McRockfish]

@@BeerLeagueHockey They have no phone number. None. Will not take a call if you have questions. You will fight for a refund. You will have to send back on your dime and keep after them to credit your card.

[@Travelwithopenmind]

Have you tried adding the Low Flow accelerator disc? I just did, closed the main drain valve a bit and wa-la looks like a mini tornado or "Bernoulli Effect"

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

Hello! Yes I’ve kept the low flow disc in. We get a lot of dust here in Arizona, so I would say I have our valve set to 60/40 (60 for the vacuum). And I still get a little mini tornado with that

[@Travelwithopenmind]

@@BeerLeagueHockey Thanks for the video and reply :)

[@gliblyaware]

It's a weir. So what? I was a pool man for 12 years. I can't imagine pool owners don't know what a weir is. And it's not floating, so the water level will effect performance.

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

Thanks for watching, and leaving a comment Glibly

[@gliblyaware]

No problem. I've seen a few videos on this, but most amazing is the comments on the Facebook ads. As if it were revolutionary! 😉

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

Ha ha, it works ok for me; it replaced my breaking old basket; and seems to hold leaves and crap a little better. I’ll have to read those comments

[@pgnandt]

Retired owner of 23 years. Sold 400 pools. It would be dishonest to sell something like this to people who don't understand surface tension and how a floating weir works. Telling people that a vortex in the skimmer is a good thing is pure comedy and unethical.

[@jbailey2315]

Any issue that you seen with a rise in pressure?

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

I hadn’t noticed any change, I still have the old one so I could do a quick comparison and let you know

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

I ran a little test this morning, the system was already running with the Skim A Round. It was running at about 21 PSI. Turned system off, swapped baskets, let system run for about 10 minutes, and still around 21 PSI. Made a little video I can post later, but I did not see a change in pressure.

[@greghackney8437]

The water flow pulled it apart, save your money.

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

Thanks for watching and leaving a comment Greg. I picked up some 1 gallon paint strainers, and I install them in the skimmer to get some of the smaller particles. I’ve noticed with mine, it can come apart if I don’t seat them well. You probably have a stronger pump than mine, and can easily pull apart the thinner plastic skim a round baskets.

[@blackshirt5530]

Can u give an update? Specifically about after the pool is turned off and then back on (staying high and not dropping)-lot of reviewers mentioned it as a problem

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

Hello. When the pump is turned off, the basket does float but with the low velocity ring in; it seems to prevent debris from coming back out of the basket. For me at least, once the pump begins again, my basket does settle back down in position. There was one occasion after installing, that I did have a little more leaves and things in the strainer at the pump itself. Not sure why that happened, but it was a lot more in there than normal, but it was only that one time. Hope this helped answer your question?

[@glicenji]

Just put a rock in the basket.

[@syriamatrix]

Good wark bro

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

Thank-you

[@jonjjuliano]

It look like you still had your spring flap door installed if so you are supposed to remove it.

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

I never removed ours, and it doesn’t mention either way. But I think would need the door still, to help flow the water into the skimmer

[@jonjjuliano]

Look in the manual again it states "Floating Debris Trap The built-in debris trap floats above the water line when your pool pump is turned off, preventing the captured debris from leaving the basket. This means you can simply remove the "weir flap" from your existing skimmer and never have to replace it. The skim around will float and not allow debris to escape

[@faamecanic1970]

@@jonjjuliano The manual says "Optional". But I would think the Skim-A-Round would work better without the Weir door giving resistance to some of the water flow.

[@cynthiacapeloto2926]

Waste of money & effort. Put my old basket back, cleaned the Skim A Round and gave it to my grandson to play with. He likes disassembling and reassembling it. At least he enjoys it.

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

Ha ha ha, that always works too.

[@CB-io4fn]

Pretty sure it's too high...it should be submerged

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

The water level in the pool was low at the time I filled this, my dogs destroyed the line to the pool for auto leveling. It’s at the surface of the water now

[@castingguy2008]

I've been considering this purchase for some time now. Your relevant (East Valley resident too), review is much appreciated! Have you ever tried, or know anyone who's used the floating skimmers that connect to the auto pool vacuums? I'm considering those as well but they are pricey (>$100.00).

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

Hi Don, do you mean a skimmer that’s attached to the vacuum line? We have one of those too, it came with the house. Ours just connect between two sections of the hose. It’s actually works really well in my opinion. I’m not sure if you can see it, in this video or not

[@castingguy2008]

@@BeerLeagueHockey looked again, couldnt see the inline one but thanks for the reply.

[@castingguy2008]

@@BeerLeagueHockey Yes the kind attached to the vacuum line, I prefer it but didnt know if the cyclone basket worked better.

[@mdinatale12]

It needs to be underwater 😂🤣

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

Our dogs had broken the valve for our pool’s auto fill at the time; was having to fill by garden hose. It’s working as normal now

[@deataol]

More like scam around, wasted my money on the crap!

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

I haven’t had any real issue with mine, but I probably wouldn’t have bought one if I had checked their BBB rating. Sorry to hear your’s sucked

[@MrMagnasco]

I see that the top of yours is at water level. Mine is under water level if I press it against the wall. Mm.

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

My water level was a little low when I filmed the video, the dogs playing broke the line that feeds my pool. Usually it’s about an inch from the top of the basket. You’ve adjusted the height of the basket? Mine is set to Max height

[@jpolhamus71]

If you get your water level a little higher you will get the velocity tornado you were talking about

[@pgnandt]

Another invention looking for a problem to solve. There was nothing wrong with your original set-up.

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

Hi Paul, after owning it for several years, I agree there is nothing special about them. I wouldn’t buy again.

[@chrisc9213]

Product is junk do no waste your money.

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

Thanks for commenting Chris! Did you get one, what ended up happening with yours?

[@chrisc9213]

@@BeerLeagueHockey Yes received one today, the product is light weight and flimsy. The basket is easily separated from the ring. The quality is cheaply made. Don't see any benefits, thought I would replace my old basket boy was I wrong. Going back in the box and ship back.

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

Yeah, they definitely aren’t of a heavy plastic as the default baskets. Although it does seem to trap a little more than my old one; but time will tell how long it will hold up. Thank-you for replying!

[@478490]

Seems like the water level in pool is a bit too low to get the whirlpool effect from the new skimmer!

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

Thanks for the comment, yes our auto-fill was broken at the time of filming; thanks to our dogs ha ha

[@pgnandt]

This is why selling these is unethical. Telling people that a vortex in the skimmer is good and will skim your pool. Both wrong. In this case his trap door (weir) is skimming the pool. Adjusts itself to varying water levels. This is a marketing scam.

[@janetheins4180]

Loved your demo! It was the most complete I have seen so far..

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

Hi Janet, thank you for watching! I personally like mine, had no real issues with it, but you may want to go through the comments to see how some others feel about the product. I clean my skimmer and the little basket in the filter quite often out of habit, and I haven't had any real issue with the Skim-a-round.

[@suziegreer2969]

Thank you!!!

[@BeerLeagueHockey]

You’re very welcome! This has worked fine for our pool, from what I’ve seen, people with variable speed pumps might have issues with the basket