Solar Fish??

[LostboyinVA]

I bought 2 of the normal fish to cover my 750sqft pool. They went in last night. Pool has been open 2 days. (it is crystal clear and balanced as of last night) Last night I had a 4 degree overnight drop. Previous night was 6 degress. Not scientific, but that makes it better if it lasts. I'm going to watch it for the next could of weeks and see if makes a difference. The kids won't care if I can just get the temp over 70. It was 66 yesterday afternoon. It was 62 this morning. I'm getting about 9-10 degree rise a day for now. If I can keep the weather gods from causing a serious temp drop during the days here in VA I should be over 70 this weekend. Needs to be closer to 80 before I'm getting in, but I'll let the boy and his friends in this weekend if it goes over 70.

I don't want to mess with a cover and figure I will only need to mess with the fish in May and September. Once completed in August the pool was plenty warm enough to not even need a cover (consistently 85+). I expect June and July to be the same. $40 a year to extend the season a week or two is worth it to me if it works. If it doesn't work next year and in the fall I save the money.

[martyhammer]

The reason I tried to avoid replacing my solar bubble cover by using the fish, regardless of apparent/real price difference, was because of the inconvenience I found with daily use of a cover. While the cover is on, nothing dropping onto the cover, e.g., leaves, dirt, etc., moves to the skimmer (which is essentially useless while the cover is on). It's real easy to roll up the cover for a swim session, but then all the dirt from the cover dumps into the end of the pool where the spool is, and then I've got a major amount of junk to try to scoop up with a net. In other words, my pool stays much cleaner, with much less effort, with no cover.

All that said, I count not perceive any positive contribution via the fish and hence I'm coverless and fishless.

-Marty

[PhantomAndy]

I don't mean to repeat what may have already been written, but I'll try to be brief.

I tried this last year and here is what I found (I'm located in Kentucky where the temps are moderate).

The fish are utterly worthless. They probably only reduce evaporation by 20-30% (I'm being generous I think). Additionally, to get any significant effect, you MUST turn your pump/filter OFF at night when the temps are the lowest to get the maximum benefit.

Additionally, the first fish I used last year, failed when the fish was 1/2 empty, leaving 1/2 of the 'liquid solar blanket' still in the fish (I used the 'Turbo' model with the 'computer controlled' pump).

The company replaced the defective fish (I was very surprised) but of course it is still very ineffective.

With experience with both the liquid blanket, and a standard bubble cover - I'd have to say that the bubble cover is well worth the effort (just ordered a new one).

If you are frustrated with your bubble cover style solar blanket and don't have a solar cover reel - spring for the $150 or so for an inexpensive model. It only takes me about 30 seconds to remove my 18x40 blanket, and about 2 minutes to put it on (by myself). Very little time, and very effective heat retention.