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Budget-Friendly Pool Cleaners Are Making a Splash

We look at Aiper’s line of budget-friendly pool cleaners

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Budget-Friendly Pool Cleaners Are Making a Splash

These days, consumers are looking for budget-friendly pool cleaners. With the price of keeping a pool clean going up, convenient and cost-effective pool cleaners are in high demand. Aiper is meeting that demand with its line of inexpensive robotic cleaners. A relative newcomer to the U.S. market, their new line of cleaners has been a big hit in the direct-to-consumer market.

One of the best-selling robotic pool cleaners on Amazon, Aiper has been rapidly gaining traction with its line of corded and cordless options. To get a better understanding of what their product line is all about, we spoke with Jason Floyd, a representative for Aiper.

“We want to clean smarter,” said Floyd, “we’ve really been pushing this line of cordless pool cleaners that are eco-friendly and take care of the pool completely on their own. A lot of the other models that had come before, they’re corded, they’re bulky, and they take up storage space. This kind of solves a lot of those problems. We’ve become a leader in the cordless sector. In the last couple of years, we’ve been picking up more steam with more products and new features.”

Aiper is winning over consumers with their line of budget-friendly robotic pool cleaners.
Aiper is winning over consumers with their line of budget-friendly robotic pool cleaners.

So far, the line of budget-friendly robotic pool cleaners has been selling like hotcakes online. Consequently, Aiper has made tremendous traction in a very short time. A fact that is not lost on Floyd, who is excited by the reception the product line is receiving from consumers.

“Starting out as a newcomer, we particularly wanted to focus on that brand identity and brand loyalty,” said Floyd, “we wanted to really hone in on the quality of what we offer. We’re working with our initial consumer base to make those improvements. You can internalize research and development all day long, but once it gets out into the public, you hear about features you may have never thought of or a different set of priorities.”

Floyd says Aiper worked hard to build an AI-based product that could compete against other products in the market. “We’ve looked at sonar, we’ve looked at camera technology, but all of these things, they all increase the price of the device to a non-competitive point. The technology really wasn’t paying off in the sense that it offered enough. What we developed is systematic path planning. We have the artificial intelligence that’s built in there that is pool mapping. All of these things together cover about 90% or more of your pool.”

4 Budget-Friendly Pool Cleaner Options

Let’s take a closer look at some of the more budget-friendly options from Aiper’s offering in the cordless and corded robotic pool cleaner category.

AIPER Seagull 600 – Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner was a smash hit with consumers this summer on Amazon

AIPER Seagull 600

We like the AIPER Seagull 600 for a couple of reasons. Easy to use and sets up in seconds, this cordless robotic pool cleaner is a solid entry-level cleaner for those with small flat bottom inground pools or above-ground pools. With a run-time of 50 minutes and smart sensors, the cleaner is able to create a cleaning path using sensors in the device. Smart technology tells the cleaner to park itself near the pool wall when it’s done cleaning. AIPER even included a convenient hook for your pool pole to get the unit out of the pool when it’s finished cleaning.

AIPER 1000

The AIPER 1000 is a step up from the entry class 600 in every way. With a longer run-time of 90 minutes the AIPER 1000 is able to clean larger area inground and above-ground pools. Powerful suction power and a wider nozzle suck up debris more quickly in larger swimming pools. Features the same smart pool wall parking technology and cleaning path calculation as the 600 series with some notable improvements in range of motion. The AIPER 1000 was much less prone to get stuck or turned around than the 600 was during our tests.

AIPER ORCA 800 MATE

The AIPER Orca 800 Mate is a budget corded pool cleaner that is ideal for cleaning above-ground swimming pools. Featuring 3 different work cycles, and adjustable angles, this pool cleaner is a wallet-friendly workhorse. Dual wide suction inlets suck up debris faster and a unique swing plate prevents the cleaner from getting stuck. The corded variety features the same smart cleaning path technology found in the other units. The Orca 800 Mate comes with a 33 ft long swivel cord and anti-collision strips to protect your pool wall.

AIPER ORCA 1200 PRO

The Orca 1200 Pro is a versatile corded robotic pool cleaner that scrubs hard with dual PVC brushes. A wall climber suitable for use in inground swimming pools, the unit is powered by 150W triple-axis drive motors which allow it to navigate the area of the pool more efficiently. Dual cartridge filters can store more debris between cleaning cycles. The Orca 1200 comes with a 50 ft long tangle-free cord and is backed by a 2 year warranty.

Mate Automatic Robotic Pool Cleaner Save $150

Aiper has been getting tremendous attention with mainstream media outlets. Their line of products has appeared everywhere from Forbes to Better Homes & Gardens to CNN. After appearing at IFA Berlin, the company is poised to break out even further with big box retailers.

AIPER recently appeared at IFA Berlin, one of the oldest industrial exhibitions in Germany.

The choice to go direct-to-consumer was a calculated decision said Floyd. “Going small scale or direct consumer to begin with was kind of just an important measuring stick for us. That being said, we are going to be bigger. We have deals with both Walmart and Lowe’s coming up with our new line of products that are going to be out in the next year or so.”

Aiper plans on making an appearance at the International Pool Spa Patio Expo in Las Vegas this November and will be at Booth 7944. Pool Magazine will be in attendance at the PSP Deck Expo to check out their new line of pool cleaners. We’ll make sure to keep you updated.

Listen to our entire interview with Jason Floyd of Aiper on the Pool Magazine podcast

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Editor in Chief of Pool Magazine - Joe Trusty is also CEO of PoolMarketing.com, the leading digital agency for the pool industry. An internet entrepreneur, software developer, author, and marketing professional with a long history in the pool industry. Joe oversees the writing and creative staff at Pool Magazine. To contact Joe Trusty email [email protected] or call (916) 467-9118 during normal business hours. For submissions, please send your message to [email protected]

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Pool Equipment

Drought Has Pool Pros Looking For Ways To Recycle Backwash

The drought in California has pool pros looking for ways to recycle backwash and conserve water in swimming pools.

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Drought Has Pool Pros Looking For Ways To Recycle Backwash

The ongoing drought in the Western states suddenly has pool professionals looking at innovative new ways to conserve water. Consequently, one new approach has been to recycle the backwash from filter cleanings.

Drought Puts Pools Directly In Cross Hairs of Water Conservationists

The drought that has plagued many parts of the United States in recent years has been nothing short of disastrous. Record low levels of precipitation have led to widespread water shortages, with many states implementing mandatory water restrictions. The situation has been particularly dire in California, which recorded the driest 22-year period in at least 1,200 years, according to a new study.

Recent storms have added to the snowpack in the Sierras which supplies 30% of California’s water. Experts however say that it isn’t enough. While these storms have provided some relief, they are unlikely to have a significant impact on the mega-drought that California has been experiencing.

For now, major cities like Los Angeles have managed to avoid instituting measures that would prevent homeowners from filling swimming pools. The problem does however make a good case for backwash recycling as it has a direct impact on water usage.

Conservation Study Shows Primary Culprits of Water Loss

A study conducted in 2010 by the California Urban Water Conservation Council looked at ways that water is lost in swimming pools. The study pointed out that the primary causes of water loss in pools are leaks, splash out, evaporation, disinfection, and filter operation.

The topic was certainly a hot-button issue at last year’s Pool Industry Expo in Monterrey, CA. It’s also a reason why products like Best Clear System have suddenly become very relevant to the conversation about water conservation. The system promises to help homeowners save thousands of gallons of water while keeping their pool filters effortlessly clean and helping protect the environment.

Recycling Backwash Conserves Water

To get a better understanding of what the Best Clear System actually does, we spoke with industry veteran and CEO of Aquos Pools, Harold Tapley.

“In a nutshell, the Best Clear System actually clears the water so you don’t have to dump it on the ground and lose it,” said Tapley.

Drought Has Pool Pros Looking For Ways To Recycle Backwash

Why Recycle?

“When you’re discharging, be it backwashing or when you’re washing the cartridge out, you’re getting salts into our fresh water supply. It’s going into the ground or drain in the street and down to the creeks and streams,” explained Tapley, “that creates a conundrum for our industry because it’s almost like Vegas. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Well, what happens in the backyard sort of stays in the backyard because you can’t really see what’s going on. When you see that big white stain in the gutter from D.E. being discharged or somebody out there hosing a cartridge off in the gutter, that really brings it to your attention.”

“If you’re backwashing, the things that are in that backwash, besides salts and chlorine are metals. Typically it’s copper which is deadly to algae in a pool, of course, but when it enters our ecosystem, it creates a lot of problems,” said Tapley, “the discharge itself typically is just sediments of clay or sand, but it does have some stuff in it that’s not good for the environment.”

Pool Pros Put On Notice

Many pool professionals have already begun getting fined according to Tapley. “Here where I live in the Central Valley, the city has actually hired water patrol police. We need real police, but the water patrol, they’re out. There are huge stiff fines for wasting water and dumping it into storm drains and improper disposal is costing pool service technicians a ton of money when they don’t do things the right way. At P.I.E. I ran into several service guys that told me that they had already been fined up to $1,000 for backwashing cartridges in the street,” said Tapley.

By The Numbers

To put the numbers into the proper context, Tapley explained just how much water is used in backwashing filters each year. “A typical backwash for a sand filter is 200 to 250 gallons and it’s recommended to backwash them once a week,” explained Tapley, “that’s over 5,000 gallons a year of freshwater that you have to put back in the pool to replace it. Keep in mind that the skimmer starts grabbing air because the water level drops. So you got to double that. I mean, you’re really talking about 10,000 gallons per pool.”

“When you’re cleaning the filter and you dump a couple of hundred gallons of water out of the ground, you lose that pretreated water,” explained Tapley, “and when you’re putting the fresh water back in, then you got to go right back to your test kit and start readjusting the pool. The service guys realize that every time that they have to put more chlorine in because they just top the pool back up and give it a couple of hundred gallons of water. So that said, I feel like when we have pretreated water that we’re capturing and putting it right back in, that is a savings right there itself. If it is a saltwater pool, of course, then we’re saving the salt water.”

Interested in learning more about recycling backwash using the Best Clear System? Listen to our entire conversation with Harold Tapley on the Pool Magazine podcast.

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Pool Equipment

Fluidra To Acquire German Pool Equipment Distributor

Fluidra to acquire pool equipment distributor in Germany for €30M

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Fluidra, global leader in pool and wellness equipment and connected solutions, today announces it has reached an agreement to acquire 100% of the Meranus Group, a leading distributor of pool equipment in Germany, for approximately €30 million on a cash and debt free basis.

  • Meranus Group is a well-known swimming pool equipment distributor in Germany.
  • With this acquisition, Fluidra will enhance its leading position in the German market and offer a more comprehensive product portfolio to a wider customer base.

Founded more than 40 years ago, the Meranus Group is a recognized swimming pool equipment distributor in Germany, and comprises Meranus Haan GmbH, Meranus Lauchhammer GmbH, as well as Aquacontrol GmbH, a manufacturer of swimming pool dosing and control technology. Its expected revenues for the year ending 31 December 2022 are over €25 million. This transaction will allow Fluidra to enhance its leading position in the German market and offer a more comprehensive product portfolio to a wider customer base.

“Our team is looking forward to welcoming our new colleagues to the Fluidra family. We are grateful for the Sellers’ commitment to make this happen following ongoing conversations over the last months”, said Carlos Franquesa, Fluidra’s General Manager for EMEA. “Having the Meranus Group operate side by side with Fluidra’s existing brands allows us to reinforce our multi-product strategy and bolster our existing distribution infrastructure in Germany. The transaction is expected to generate significant synergies and benefit our customers, suppliers and employees.”

“We are excited to join a global leader in the pool and wellness industry while, as always, we will continue to strive to better serve our customers”, said Anje Janke and Angelika Kitzing, General Managers of Meranus Group.

The transaction is subject to competition clearance and other customary closing conditions and is expected to complete in the first quarter of 2023.

Read more news about Fluidra

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Pool Owners Brace For Hard Freeze This Holiday Weekend

As the holiday weekend approaches, a hard freeze has pool owners scrambling to prepare.

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As the holidays approach, pool owners across the country are bracing for record-low temperatures and the dangers that come with them. One major concern for pool owners is the risk of their pool freezing in such cold conditions. More than a million and a half people in the United States are currently without electricity. A “historic winter storm” is impacting many areas of the country.

Power Outages in Winter Freeze - December 23, 2022
Power Outages in Winter Freeze – December 23, 2022 – Credit: PowerOutage.us

Holiday Plans Canceled – More Than a Million and a Half Without Power

The hardest hit thus far has been the Northeast and South. As of Friday morning, 152,915 were without power in Virginia, 201,243 in North Carolina, and 182,637 in Tennessee. The entire country is watching Texas, one of the largest pool markets in the nation. The deep freeze encountered in 2021 caused many to lose power which led to catastrophic damage in pools. Currently, 73,324 consumers in Texas are without power.

Wind Chill Map - December 23, 2022
Wind Chill Map – December 23, 2022

A powerful Arctic front continues to spread through the eastern third of the nation. Consequently, the National Weather Service has issued a travel advisory. As the nation prepares for a hard freeze, roughly 60% of the country is under some sort of weather advisory.

Pool Service Software

Hard Freeze Has Pool Owners Scrambling

The news of a hard freeze over the holidays has had many homeowners scrambling to prepare their pools. According to the National Weather Service, a hard freeze occurs when temperatures remain at or below 28 degrees for an extended period of time. On both Saturday and Sunday mornings, temperatures in the teens and twenties are expected in many areas of the country.

Hard Freeze Warning
Parts of southeast Alabama, the Big Bend, the Panhandle of Florida, and south-central and southwest Georgia are under a hard freeze warning from the National Weather Service. Credit – The Times

How a Hard Freeze Can Damage Swimming Pools

When the water in a pool or its equipment freezes, it can cause significant damage. The expansion of water as it freezes can put a lot of pressure on the various components of the pool. Freezing temperatures can also damage equipment, such as pipes, filters, and pumps. This pressure can cause these components to crack or break, which can be costly to repair.

One of the most common problems that occurs when a pool freezes is damage to the pool’s plumbing. The pipes that carry water to and from the pool’s pump and filter system are particularly vulnerable to freezing. If these pipes freeze and then thaw, they can become damaged or burst, which can lead to serious water damage.

Another potential problem is damage to the pool’s filter system. The filter is responsible for removing contaminants and debris from the water. If it becomes damaged, it can be difficult to get the pool clean and clear.

Broken pool pump – Photo Credit: Tom Blue – TrueBlue Pools

Freezing temperatures can also damage the pool’s pump. The pump is responsible for circulating water through the pool and its equipment. If the pump is damaged, it can be difficult to keep the water moving and maintain proper circulation.

In addition to these problems, freezing temperatures can also cause the pool’s liner to become damaged or even rupture. This can be a costly repair. The liner is a crucial component of the pool and is responsible for holding the water in place.

Damaged pool equipment and plumbing – Photo Credit: Tom Blue – TrueBlue Pools

Power Outages Can Cause Serious Damage To Pools

Power outages can have significant impacts on pool owners during a freeze. They can disrupt the functioning of pool heaters and filtration systems. In addition, power outages may prevent pool owners from being able to use electricity. Without power, it becomes difficult to prevent their pools from freezing.

There are a few practical steps one can take to help prevent or reduce the risk of freeze damage to pool equipment. Manufacturer, Hayward has been sharing the following advice to pool owners.

Pool Freeze Protection Advice

Content originally posted in: Pool Protection Tips For Freezing Weather

Run Your Pump When Below Freezing
During deep freeze conditions, it will be imperative that all pumps run while temperatures are below freezing. If you have a controller, it should automatically take over and turn on the pump(s) and rotate between the pool and spa mode on its own. If you do not have a controller, you will need to manage this process on your own.

Cold Weather And Power is On
If you do have power to your home and are not being affected by power outages, keep your pool equipment operating at all times (24/7) until temperatures increase above freezing.

If your power is out or your home is being affected by power outages, keep reading below or contact your local pool professional for assistance:

Cold Weather, But Lost Power
If your power is out and the temperatures are below freezing:

  • Turn off all pool equipment breakers. Even if your power is off, you must still turn off all breakers that supply power to your swimming pool equipment.
  • Open the air relief on your filter, and remove the drain plug on the bottom of the filter. 
  • Open the inline chlorinator and let it drain down.
  • Turn off auto-fill and make sure the feed line is wrapped.
  • Open the salt cell to remove any water inside the pipe.
  • Remove the lids of check valves to keep them from cracking.
  • Unplug and remove your salt chlorine generator cells from the system if you’re able, if not, open the salt cell to remove any water inside the pipe

Wait for Ice to Melt Naturally
If ice has formed on your equipment, don’t turn the power back on. Wait for any ice that has formed to melt naturally. This will help prevent damage to the equipment once power is restored.

Reinstall Removed Items
Once the ice has melted, re-install the drains and salt chlorine generator cells. Turn on the power to your pool equipment.

Get Expert Help
Always remember you can use your local pool professional for help. Reach out to a licensed pool contractor for assistance


Download and share this helpful guide.

Pool Industry Prepares For Hard Freeze

Is the hard freeze here? It certainly looks that way. Professionals in the pool industry have already been taking steps to prepare for the deep freeze by winterizing pools and ensuring that equipment and pipes are protected from cold temperatures.

Pool builder, Luke Norris tests a frozen water feature.

Again, the attention is on Texas which has a tendency to fall victim to sudden freezing temperatures but does not historically winterize its inground pools. During Uri, a sustained freeze accompanied by mass power outages was responsible for much of the damage we saw in 2021. Pool professionals are eager to avoid a similar reoccurrence.

In the event that a pool does freeze, it is important to handle the situation carefully to avoid damaging the equipment or the pool structure. If the water in the pool has frozen, it is generally best to wait for it to thaw naturally rather than trying to force it to melt. If you notice damage to pipes or cracked pool equipment or any structural damage to the pool, the best advice is to contact a pool contractor immediately.

And the condition is getting worse! Water level dropping in pool, pipe is frozen to add water to the pool, and filter is…Posted by Joanne Pisano Di Bella on Friday, December 23, 2022

It is not uncommon for pool equipment and pipes to be damaged during a deep freeze, and many have already begun posting photos on social media to show the extent of the damage and to help educate others about the importance of winterizing their pools. If you own a pool, it is important to take steps to protect it from the cold weather to prevent damage and ensure that it is ready for use when the weather warms up.

Featured Photo Credit: Facebook / Kathy Ott Prior

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