I opened with no problems. I do have many kids in the pool, though. They are my grandkids and friends, and believe me, they know they'd better use the bathroom. I did get a clear cover--big mistake--I wonder if the sun is eating the chlorine. I ordered an SWG and the instructions say to run the stablizer at 80. I am thinking about using stablilized pucks until I get the SWG in to get the stabilizer higher. I am still stumped about the drastic ph drops. I have never had a problem with that. Any suggestions? Thanks, Dorie