Opening early with a safety cover.....

[chrisexv6]

I know about the CYA increase, but I had drained 50% of my pool (TWICE!) last year while trying to fix a plumbing leak, so there is very little to no CYA in my water right now. Pucks for 2 weeks shouldnt be a problem (especially if I dont have the filter on that long anyway).

As far as *when* to run it, I guess you can look at it 2 ways: 1. run the pump during the day so the pump doesnt freeze up, or 2. run the pump at night so the pipes dont freeze up. I suppose #2 is safer, because I can always replace my pump if it freezes. On the other hand, I dont think the ground will freeze again anytime soon, but I suppose you never know.

Ive tried the submersible thing before, it didnt work very well. My pump was offline for a couple days 2 seasons ago, so I used the submersible with a floating chlorinator in the "wake" of the pump, and I really didnt get much circulation of the chlorine.

Ill come up with something I guess. Or I can just wait the 2 weeks and open it completely at once. No parties here, we have a 9 week old, so about 99% of my time goes to him, the other 1% is various forms of work

-Chris

[Lenny]

Actually, running the pump at night will be better for the pump as well since you'll ensure that above freezing water is running through it.

Allowing water to sit in the pump and potentially freeze is the danger.

[chrisexv6]

Well, I opened her up today!

Water is crystal clear, but of course I have algae all over the bottom. But at least I can see the bottom! Every year I end up waiting until 1st or 2nd week of May to open, and every year I regret it.

Running the pump 8 hours overnight, added a little bleach for now (need to buy more). I figure its worth what little added expense because then Im not fighting for most of May to recover.

-Chris

[waste]

Well, I opened her up today!

Water is crystal clear, but of course I have algae all over the bottom. But at least I can see the bottom! Every year I end up waiting until 1st or 2nd week of May to open, and every year I regret it.

Running the pump 8 hours overnight, added a little bleach for now (need to buy more). I figure its worth what little added expense because then Im not fighting for most of May to recover.

-Chris

Chris, you are definatly a candidate for a " 'poster'-child of the year award" , for following the forums advice!! *

* ( there isn't really such an award (yet - but it might be fun to have a 'sucess stories' area on the site & don't know the feasability of awarding prizes)

[chrisexv6]

Thanks!

But I like to think Ive learned from 2 seasons of taking care of our pool......sometimes its all about common sense and not much else

-Chris

[waste]

no doubt, common sense - if practiced by all- would make this a better world

[chrisexv6]

I shouldnt pat myself on the back yet!

I should have vacuumed to waste right when I had the chance last night, now some of the algae is floating around in the water. No biggie I guess, I had to have the filter running anyway to circulate the chemicals.

Tonight I hit it with massive amounts of bleach!

-Chris