No pool cover!

[Watermom]

Yes, you'll most likely need to open it up a little earlier than a pool that has a solid cover. Keep an eye on the water and feel the sides of the walls. If you feel any signs of slipperiness, that is a sign that algae is starting. Even if you do get a little algae, that can easily be cleaned up.

[CarlD]

I guess I'm the odd-ball. I have a safety mesh I cover it with, and, if I open it early enough, the pool is pretty clean.

[AnnaK]

I don't open any earlier in the sense of connecting pump, filter, and plumbing. I do keep an eye on the water once all the ice has thawed. I may pour in a bottle of bleach and stir it up using the pole brush just to remind the algae that this is not their home.