Is it ok to run filter with solid safety cover on?

[Timmy]

I could not get the timing right to be able to close my pool the exact day the company was coming out to install the solid safety cover (we had been using a solid cover with water bags the past 3 years). They are installing the cover today (in the rain), so I will need to pull back the corners to let my Polaris clean the bottom (which is pretty clean right now) and blow the water out of the returns this weekend for final closure.

Is there any problems running my filter the next couple of nights with the cover on? I would rather not have the water just sitting, and figured it would help filter the last amounts of dirt in the pool out before I close for the winter.

[waste]

Timmy, you should be fine, the solid safety covers have a vent in the center, which will allow any gasses to pass (or should I have said, any g***ses to p*** :D ). A number of people run their pool with the mesh safety cover on with no problems, the only problem I can see is if the water gets a little low and you start drawing air in through the skimmer, but I imagine that your water is still at operational level.

[Timmy]

Thanks!

Yeah, it is still at the middle of the skimmer, I have not started draining it yet. I plan on adding the algacide tomorrow and bringing the CL up, letting it run a day or 2, then dropping the water level down for the winter.

Thanks again!

[CrisL]

Once the cover is on, you should be able to dramatically decrease the pump run time. With a solid cover very little light will get through and almost no debris. There will be nothing for the filter to do except stir the pool a little to ensure even distribution of chemicals. When I run the filter with my mesh cover on (which allows some sun and debris through) I run the filter maybe 4 hours a day, with no adverse effects.

[DONNIE]

CRIS, Does the mesh cover help with light? I cant decide which one I want.

Donnie

[CrisL]

The mesh cover allows some light and debris through. However, it is relatively easy to put on and take off. I usually do it myself or with five minutes of help from my wife or son (the whole process takes maybe 1/2 hour to an hour). In NJ, I close in late September or so (I am closing this weekend) and open the pool in late April/early May. I often open the pool, get everything going and, if the weather turns cool again (or if my spring flowering trees are too bad) put the cover back on and add a little bleach through the skimmer every few days. The one time I openned in the middle of May, I had some algae (the water looked a little green) but nothing serious.

The mesh cover does require that you scoop some leaves (and about a million worms) out in the spring and brush and vacuum as pollen and silt coat the walls and floor. I have no experience with a solid safety cover, but after having my dog go right through a regular cover and having kids, I have much more peace of mind with a safety cover.

Hope this helps with your choice.