This type works
off of water pressure coming from a pump. The pump can be your main circulation
pump, or it can be from a dedicated (booster) pump. A pressure-side pool
cleaner runs by water pressure from the pump that drives the cleaner around the pool
and is also what forces the debris into the bag (that holds the debris). The
most beneficial thing about a pressure-side pool cleaner is that it doesn't
suck stuff into your pool filter or pump basket (allowing you more time in
between cleanings). If your pool is around a bunch of trees, or if you get a
lot of debris in your swimming pool, than a pressure-side pool cleaner is the
best way to go.
Automatic
Suction-Side Cleaners
These rely on
suction to make them move and vacuum the stuff off of the pool floor. There are
several advantages to this. First, as I mentioned before, is that they act like
a moving main drain. When the cleaner is underwater, sucking stuff into it, it
is also sucking water through your filtration system, causing you to turn more
water over in a shorter amount of time.
Some suction side
cleaners have the ability to "scrub" your pool walls. By agitating
itself as it moves around the pool, it also scrubs the walls. This can possibly
cut down on the number of times you need to brush your pool. And since it sucks
stuff right into your filter, it can remove much finer particles than a pool
cleaner with a bag. And since there is no need to install any additional
plumbing or pumps, a suction-side pool cleaner is usually a lot cheaper to
install. If you are in an area where large debris rarely gets into your pool,
then a suction-side cleaner may be your best bet.
