"The PoolSkim uses the power of the water returning to the pool to create a venturi suction that draws surface water, and floating debris to it like a magnet. The debris is caught in an easy to clean clip on bag - leaving your pool sparkling."
We are now in our second season with this device and couldn't be happier.
The components of the PoolSkimĘ are the pot, the hat, and the bag. The pot attaches to the existing return, the hat is dropped in and will float, creating the venturi suction which pulls debris into the mesh bag. This is attached to the pot with a spring loaded clamp for easy removal and cleaning.
The two elbow joints and the middle pipe arrive in individual pieces. The middle pipe needs to be cut with a pipe cutter or a hack saw to a length suitable to your pool's average water depth. The instructions that come with the device are easy to follow. No engineering degree is required to assemble it. Once you've cut the pipe to the proper size it is screwed onto the elbow joints and to the pot.
The pot is adjusted to a 45? angle from the pool wall to facilitate water circulation in a counter clockwise direction. You make this adjustment by manipulating the elbow joints and pretty much eyeballing the angle, then you put in the set screws.
Once the device is attached you do not need to remove it, unless you want to use the return for some other purpose such as to attach an automatic cleaner hose. It readily unscrews from the return when necessary.
The hat is dropped into the pot and its brim will float approximately 2" above the pot when the pump is running, creating the venturi which sucks in the debris and shoots it into the mesh bag. The action is really quite dramatic and fun to watch, especially during beetle season.
The PoolSkimĘ takes up minimal space. The device itself sticks out maybe 6" into the pool. It's April and the water temperature is 57 F, a mite too chilly to get in the water quite yet, which is why I don't have a photo of the front to show how the hat floats above the pot.
Overall length, including the bag, is 23" or so. Here you can see the angle of installation.
My one (minor) complaint is that the inside of the mesh bag isn't finished very well. It has a rough seam and loose strands of mesh which makes emptying unpleasant when insects are caught in it. I've solved this by turning the bag inside out so that the smooth finished side collects the debris. It's an easier fix than handstitching the seams.
The PoolSkimĘ is available from several online sources, just do a search on it. To learn more about any number of pool related issues and, especially, to learn how to care for and maintain your pool at very little expense I would like to invite you to visit Ben Powell's Pool Forum and his Swimming Pool Tips as well as Sean Berry's site.