Which solar cover is best

[opsman]

Can anyone recommend a solar cover. I have bought several and I am lucky to get one to last more than a year. The heavy ones don't seem to last any longer than the cheap ones before the blue fish scales start showing up.

[cleancloths]

Everyone has a different opinion on this :)

I have been down the same boat as you and have finally decided that the best value are the cheap ones. Just like you, if I was lucky I got two years out of the top of the line ones, and get about a year to a year and a half out of the really cheap ones. So, the best value is the cheapest.

[CarlD]

I'm on the 2nd season of the heavier clear one. I think it works better at insulating and heating since the sun passes directly through it. Do you cover your cover when it's rolled up? That makes them last longer.

[cleancloths]

I'm on the second season with the cheap-O one, and no I don't cover it when its rolled up. I know that makes it last longer, but its a pain in the rear to have to do another task. Just like its a pain to have to watch the semi-automatic Dolphin :)

That is why I like the cheap one better, it lasts almost as long and I don't worry about protecting it. Further, doesn't a thinner one actually allow move sunlight to penetrate into the water?

[adl6009]

Do you cover your cover when it's rolled up? That makes them last longer.

I just got my new one- $100 for a 18x36. Sounds pricey to me.
My question is -Why doesnt that white plastic thing cover the entire cover? It's only about 2/3 the legnth of the cover, leaving a 1/3 exposed to the sun. And how do you get it to stay on? Mine blows off in the slightest breeze.

[cleancloths]

That is not a very pricey cover, midrange I would say. The white thing is to cover the cover when it is rolled up on a reel. It probably only needs to be about 1/4 the length of the cover (or less). I would guess mine which is 40' long would need about 6-8' to cover it on the reel.

[tenax]

i use bungee cords to hold mine on..pool is 18 x 28..cover that came with solar cover is 20x about 6 works well.