First time closer

[Sponge1971]

hmmmm...I bet I'd end up with the same block-o-ice cover, since we do alot of freeze/thaw here too.

"don't drain below the skimmer bottom" = your pool water level *is* below your returns, at least?

I don't have 'smooth' return plugs...I should get some of those....but, the return pokes out (kinda) anyway, so is it that much of a problem? I'm not going to be pumping water out (with a block of ice still in there) since it'll *all* be frozen solid anyway...that block won't be moving anywhere to be yanking on the returns. Enlighten me on this, if you think it's valuable...

I'm thinking I'll just drain below the returns...yank *all* my plumbing, roll it up, and put it in the shed. This means the skimmer bottom will be open to atmoshere and the returns will be holes in the side of the walls. I'll tube short backwash hose to the returns, so overflow can spill out, away from the pool. The pump will be drained and sleep in the shed. The De filter will be cleaned, drained, in/out fittings capped (and 'maybe' sleep in the shed...since I have to take it apart anyway to clean it...might as well ship the 3 pieces into the shed). the multi-port will be dained and sleep in the shed. During the 'never-never' times, before the 'real' solid freezing starts...I'll drop my submersible in there, sideways, just to spin the chlorinated water around. it'll take seconds to yank that pump out..once the real freezing begins...mid-late december.....reverse the process, once thawed enough to get the subersible back in....(I'm too chiken to let it freeze in there)...

gotta scram...time to go home