need to cover my pool for 6 weeks while i am away...help with chemical suggestions

[Watermom]

I don't know what is in the winterizing pill and wouldn't use it. I also would definitely not use any algaecide other than polyquat 60. Many of them cause a lot of other problems to clean up including foaming. We never recommend any other type of algaecide.

[Poconos]

If you can get the pump on a timer, just being able to run it for an hour, twice a day in recirculate mode, will help. With a cover, and this time of year, you shouldn't have to worry about evaporation dropping the water level and sucking air in the skimmer. I also say recirculate because you don't want the filter plugging. All you want to do is kick the water around. Of course having someone come in whenever possible and check the basic chemistry would be ideal.
Al

[Elda125]

putting the pump on a timer is not an option.

[PoolDoc]

You can name chemicals here -- you just can't try to sell other people on them. We name chemicals and brands all the time . . . like 20 Mule Team borax ;-)

Ben

PS. I'm curious what company claims they have a "90 day algaecide", anyhow.

[Elda125]

Total Algaecide by Doheny's Water wearhouse. Destroys Resistant Algae, Extra-strength Formula, Prevents New Algae Growth for 90 Days, Non-foaming. It was recommended to me. I will certainly give it a try. I am also curious if this is the same that other product listed above with the 60 at the end of it//

[AnnaK]

The product is made by Lo-Chlor Chemicals and contains 11.83% copper sulphate pentahydrate and 83.17% inert ingredients. We don't recommend using any products containing copper. It is not the same as Polyquat 60.

[Watermom]

Anna's right. DO NOT USE THIS PRODUCT IF IT HAS COPPER IN IT! Contrary to popular belief, it isn't chlorine that turns hair green, it is copper!

[PoolDoc]

Found it.

It's made by AllChem, and sold under a bunch of labels. HomeDepot has an MSDS available for it, here, under the HTH brand.
The Doheny's "Lo Chlor" label is here.
(both archived locally)

It's just a copper algaecide:
"Ingredients Found:

11.83% of COPPER SULFATE (PENTAHYDRATE) (161)
88.17% of INERT INGREDIENTS (0)"

And, no, it will not keep your pool algae free for 90 days, unless you also chlorinate, filter, and otherwise do everything necessary.

Ben

Oops. Anna, I still had this open from last night, and didn't check to see if someone else had posted. My bad.

[Elda125]

Thanks for everyone's imput and help. I will cerainly go out and by some Polyquat 60. Any suggestions as to HOW MUCH and WHEN I should put this Polyquat 60 into my pool. Should I balance the chemistry, shock and THEN put it in? Run the filter with it in or just dump it in before I close up the pool. Many thanks again!!1

[Elda125]

i ordered a 90 day strength algaeside from a company online that i probably cannot name here. wondering this item has the same active ingredient as the polyquat 60 that your talking about.