Thanks for the reply. I was getting plenty of questions from my wife on why I hadn't closed yet. (both neighbors had) And I honestly couldn't answer it, so I ended up closing. Know better next year. I am using a mesh cover, since I don't have a cover pump. Plus I have plenty of leaves to deal with so didn't want those getting on cover, getting wet and weighing it down. I have plenty of tree trimming to do this winter to hopefully remedy that. On behalf of those of us that may not comment as much, thank you all at the pool forum. I made a few mistakes my first year. (had no idea how much of an effect 12 kids taking swimming lessons would have on chlorine drop) I paid for that by spending the next 2 weeks fighting algae. The threads, stickies, articles, etc. were very helpful.