Close with algea??

[jagwire22]

I have a 40,000 gallon IG pool. I have let algea take over big time. Will it do any harm to close the pool without treating first?? Why should I shock and clean the pool now when I will most likely have to do it again in the spring?

Thanks in advance!

[Watermom]

If you do it properly, you should open to clear water in the spring. Read the stickies at the top of the closing forum for information about how to do it. Repost if you have further questions about cleaning up your algae or closing down the pool and somebody here will be glad to help you.

[CarlD]

You WILL have to shock and clean the pool in the spring anyway, but now you'll have even more to clean up. If you start early enough, when the water's still around 60, you may be able to clean up the pool without too much extra effort. It depends how bad it is now.

[jagwire22]

Thanks for the replies. The pool is in very bad shape right now. I understand what need to do in order to clean it up (fall or spring). What I really want to know is if closing it down in the shape that its in will cause any long term problems.

Thanks again!

[aylad]

If the pH is low and it is a liner pool, then you are likely to have wrinkles and/or deterioration to your liner after letting it sit for the winter. As far as the algae is concerned, it's not going to make much difference whether you clean it up now or later except maybe some staining where the debris is sitting.

Janet

[sunofthebeach]

If you have a mesh cover, that lets sunlight in, you probably open your pool to a green mess every year ( i know i do). If thats the case I say close it. If you have a solid cover that does not let sunlight in then I say clear it up before you close it.

[CarlD]

I have a mesh safety cover and only once in 8 seasons have I opened to algae. I believe it's not the mesh but proper closing steps and opening early enough in the spring to get the pool running before algae can set in. I like to start opening during the last 2 weeks of April if possible before algae sets in with warmer days and warmer water.