Dolphin Maytronics 99954305-rk1 Filter Bag Assembly & Bottom Lid Conversion Kit

So after almost two pool seasons of owning the dolphin nautilus I finally committed to buying this, it helped that the price came down from when I originally bought the cleaner. I think the cleaner itself is fantastic and have a review posted for it. I was really hoping this would up the cleaners leaf and debris capacity significantly. Looking at the internals of the cleaner and putting some thought into it now I realize that was naïve at best. Essentially regardless of whether you use the filters or this bag device there just isn't room inside the cleaner for much storage. The motor housing occupies most the center of the device. This bag assembly has a little more capacity than the light screens that come with it while picking up fine dirt much like the pleated filters. In that respect it could be considered an improvement, until you go to clean it. With the screens or the filters I can dump out the majority of the debris, clean them off with the hose and stick the cleaner back in the pool for round two (yes I have that many leaves, that a quick session with the net and two rounds of the cleaner is often not enough each weekend). With the bag it is nearly impossible to clean out without making a mess. You need to get it inside out, but there is a waistband type element holding two sides of the lip of bag together that makes it difficult to invert (this band goes down the middle of the cleaner to create the two 'chambers' that fit on each side of the motor housing). I have found the best approach is to let the bag dry completely and then empty it prior to using the next time. Using the laundry once in awhile could work after you get it mostly clean.I have a bad leaf problem, made worse by the fact its my neighbor's massive trees (that they don't have maintained). I could see this having some benefit to people that want to leave the cleaner in the pool or to those wanting to use this with disposable bags. It does extend the capacity over the pleated filters somewhat, I would estimate 30% or so. Given that those don't hold much its not a major increase. For my purposes, it has become an option I use occasionally when I have both dirt and leaf problems.I have posted pictures to help with the install of this. The white plastic mesh screen installs in the bottom of the cleaner itself with the two screws to keep the bag from sucking up in the motor area. It doesn't seem to interfere with using the other filters. Since this product doesn't come with directions or pictures, its not inherently clear this doesn't attach to the bottom plate somehow. The bag then stretches over the bottom plate and wires with the band portion centered in the middle. I believe the black clips then install on the outside of the bag over each of the wires. I can't tell if this really is needed or does much?

This item saved my dolphin. I was ready to toss my dolphin in the trash before I purchased this. The original pleated filters were garbage and my tray always sucked. The little flaps on the bottom never shut and small particles would always find away through or around because when I would pull the assembly out and flip the dolphin upside down I would always have sand and fine particles collect around the fan on top of the unit this told me not only were particles getting back into the pool from the trap doors not shutting properly but things were also making their way past the filter assembly and blowing back into the pool while it was running. This bag has completely solved the filter issue and allowing sand etc. to escape. I no longer find a bunch of sand inside the unit. Plus as an added bonus the main tray seems to be a lot better constructed than the factory piece. Even though the trap doors arnt perfect they are WAAAY better than the original piece. Assembly is super easy I read lots of negative reviews stating issues like1. No instructions = Seriously its 2 screws and 5 pieces total it's pretty self explanatory but there are pics online if you need2. Bag is hard to stretch onto base = Well it needs to be tight so dirt doesn't blow back into the pool, its not like its hard my 10 year old could do it. Just hook it over 3 of the corners and stretch it over the last one3. bag is hard to clean = I think its way easier than the filters. I just flip it inside out toss it on the ground, hose off one side, flip it over and repeat that cleans it about 80% then i pick it up and stick the hose inside the bag and finish flushing it out with the bag still inside out. Yes you will get a little wet but not anymore than washing the grid filters. I can remove and clean the whole thing in about half the time it took to clean the grids.I usually put a good amount of faith in the reviews and I almost didnt buy this because of the negative ones. I can honestly say the reviews for this product are overly harsh and I dont see how the product could be made much better.

First, no product directions whatsoever. Second, no customer service phone number. Thanks to another reviewer, I figured out to assemble it. It does no better than the standard filters. IF YOU HAVE LEAVES to deal with, this is not the pool cleaner or the bag assembly to purchase. It quickly clogs up, & the bag does not improve leaf removal. I'm attaching a picture of the leaves taken in before it stalled out. Pathetic - probably less than 12 leaves.I'll probably throw the yucky bag in the washer to clean it & then return the product.

The product is a good idea but the design is flawed. The bag is big and can be used for several days and reduce the frequency of cleaning - unlike the cartridge. However, less than 3 months after the purchase, one of the end tabs on the intake cover broke off (see the attached picture). The tab is clear too thin to withstand any extended use. Without the intake cover, the bag assembly is useless - debris simply falls out.I have to commend the seller, Pool Express Group, Inc. I notified them of the problem. The reply was prompt. In one week, I received a replacement bottom lid. Not at all what I expected. They solved the problem without any hassle - Definitely 5-star!!!I will see how well the replacement bottom lid does over time.

Filter bag increased the capacity of my pool vacuum which increased the interval in between cleanings. Cleaning the bag is a snap. Installing the assembly was easy also.