
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


Heavy leaves or fine dust—what’s slowing you down? We break down the real-world tradeoffs between the most popular pool vacuum systems so you can match the right tool to every stop and cut your cleaning time without cutting corners. Drawing on years in the field, we compare Riptide and Hammerhead cart rigs, the updated Power Vac handheld, and the ultra-portable Bottom Feeder and Shrimp. We also spotlight the Vac Daddy’s secret weapon for vacuum-to-waste jobs and explain how bag micron choices and cartridge filtration can completely change your results on dusty routes.
We start with carts and cords, looking at why Riptide’s intake shape delivers massive pull and how its rugged head and locking bags boost durability—while adding weight and tougher bag removal. Hammerhead counters with nimble balance and faster maneuvering thanks to its center wheel and lighter feel. From there, we explore battery options, cord lengths, and mounting solutions like T-bar receivers that let you carry multiple carts and gear without cramming the truck bed.
Then we get practical about portables. Bottom Feeder and Shrimp turn speed into a strategy: flip the switch, drop in, and clean routine pools quickly with no cord management. With the cartridge filter assembly grabbing down to fine dirt, these compact tools can outperform expectations on dusty pools and tight decks. We compare micron ratings across bags, share the sweet spot that balances leaves and silt, and lay out when a cartridge wins over a small-micron bag. Finally, we carve out space for the Vac Daddy, which excels as a lightweight vacuum-to-waste solution that can replace bulkier portable filtration when you need to bypass the filter fast.
• pros and cons of cart vacuums versus portable systems
• riptide power and durability trade-offs
• hammerhead balance and maneuverability
• power vac handheld update and availability
• bottom feeder and shrimp portability and runtime
• cartridge assembly for fine dirt capture
• bag micron choices and performance
• vac daddy use case for vacuum-to
Send us a text
Support the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors!
HASA
https://bit.ly/HASA
The Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100
https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/
Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:
https://getskimmer.com/poolguy
Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA
Pool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6y
Support the show
Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:
Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL
Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/
UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA
Pool Guy Coaching Group
Join an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.
Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)
$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoaching
Limits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits
[ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]
$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-road
Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits
By David Van Brunt4.7
132132 ratings
Heavy leaves or fine dust—what’s slowing you down? We break down the real-world tradeoffs between the most popular pool vacuum systems so you can match the right tool to every stop and cut your cleaning time without cutting corners. Drawing on years in the field, we compare Riptide and Hammerhead cart rigs, the updated Power Vac handheld, and the ultra-portable Bottom Feeder and Shrimp. We also spotlight the Vac Daddy’s secret weapon for vacuum-to-waste jobs and explain how bag micron choices and cartridge filtration can completely change your results on dusty routes.
We start with carts and cords, looking at why Riptide’s intake shape delivers massive pull and how its rugged head and locking bags boost durability—while adding weight and tougher bag removal. Hammerhead counters with nimble balance and faster maneuvering thanks to its center wheel and lighter feel. From there, we explore battery options, cord lengths, and mounting solutions like T-bar receivers that let you carry multiple carts and gear without cramming the truck bed.
Then we get practical about portables. Bottom Feeder and Shrimp turn speed into a strategy: flip the switch, drop in, and clean routine pools quickly with no cord management. With the cartridge filter assembly grabbing down to fine dirt, these compact tools can outperform expectations on dusty pools and tight decks. We compare micron ratings across bags, share the sweet spot that balances leaves and silt, and lay out when a cartridge wins over a small-micron bag. Finally, we carve out space for the Vac Daddy, which excels as a lightweight vacuum-to-waste solution that can replace bulkier portable filtration when you need to bypass the filter fast.
• pros and cons of cart vacuums versus portable systems
• riptide power and durability trade-offs
• hammerhead balance and maneuverability
• power vac handheld update and availability
• bottom feeder and shrimp portability and runtime
• cartridge assembly for fine dirt capture
• bag micron choices and performance
• vac daddy use case for vacuum-to
Send us a text
Support the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors!
HASA
https://bit.ly/HASA
The Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100
https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/
Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:
https://getskimmer.com/poolguy
Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA
Pool Guy Coaching: https://bit.ly/40wFE6y
Support the show
Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:
Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL
Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/
UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA
Pool Guy Coaching Group
Join an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.
Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)
$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoaching
Limits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits
[ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]
$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-road
Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits

16,748 Listeners

5,705 Listeners

606 Listeners

4,424 Listeners

725 Listeners

725 Listeners

45,718 Listeners

87 Listeners

4,404 Listeners

46 Listeners

12 Listeners

3 Listeners

107 Listeners

4 Listeners

8 Listeners