sounds silly but im not sure i have algae...

[PoolDoc]

Hi Pbotz;

If you've got a liner or fiberglass pool, feel the sides. If you have early algal growth, the sides will have a slimy / slippery feel.

BUT . . . with a mesh cover, you NEED to add chlorine or you WILL have a mess on opening. I'd recommend adding 2 gallons of bleach per 10,000 gallons of water. You can pour it through the cover, but have a hose ready to rinse it off right away, once you are done. Pour in multiple places around the pool.

Then, retest after 2 - 3 days. If you have no chlorine, repeat. Continue adding bleach every 2 - 3 days, until you have and can hold a FC residual. Doing so will make startup MUCH easier.

[pbotz2000]

yes , vinyl liner. i will check next time if its slippery or slimy. i usually add bleach once the weather warms up but dont now cause i feel its too cold at nite for algae to grow. Am i wrong about the temp and algae growth. Its a welcome site when the warm weather arrives but than the pool maintenance begins. I thought a mesh cover was a good idea but have since figured i should go with a solid cover.

[Watermom]

We used to say that algae couldn't grow in cold water ........... until fellow moderator Al, (Poconos), found algae growing under ice in his pool in northeast PA. I think he posted that picture here on the forum somewhere a few years back. Not sure if it is still around or not? Maybe Ben knows, or if not, I'll ask Al to repost it here.