Hidraulic pool cleaners can be suction pool cleaners or pressure driven pool cleaners.
Generally suction pool cleaners attach to a vacuum line, either through the skimmer or dedicated vacuum line. If attached to a skimmer, skimming of the pool is reduced, while the cleaner is attached. The use of a vacuum Plate is recommended so that skimming and vacuuming can take place at the same time. If a dedicated vacuum line is available, then vacuuming and skimming can be accomplished by adjusting the valves at the pump to clean and skim simultaneous. A vacuum canister is recommended to collect debris and prevent excessive debris from filling the pump basket and reducing the flow to pump.
Pressure Driven pool cleaners are of two types, those requiring a booster pump and a return line directly to the cleaner and the other using a return line that already exists in the pool. Pressure side cleaners generally have a bag or other chamber used to collect the debris at the cleaner. The advantage is that the debris does not go to the pump and filter. Debris is collected in a chamber or is churned up so the pump and filter.