Opening early with a safety cover.....

[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

[CarlD]

My perspective is that this is making too much of it. It is now mid-April, and here, in North Central NJ it looks like the last freeze is past. I've looked under my mesh cover and the pool looks pretty good. As usual, the water is clear but there's stuff on the bottom.

In the fall, just before closing I put in a quart or two of Polyquat, circulate the water for 48 hours more, then raise the FC to 15ppm and close. I try to do this at the end of September/early October (I have solar heating) when the water goes down to the low 60's.

My plan is
1.this weekend to remove the cover,
2.hook up the pump/filter and plumbing.
3.half the solar panels (I need some replacements for the other half), and get them working.
4.test my water
5.Add what it needs--first pH adjust and chlorine.
6.When the water reaches 60, toss in the Dolphin 3 or 4 times
7. Set up the new solar reel, and attach the cover to it and cover the pool to hold in heat.

[duraleigh]

Hi, Chris,

Algae by itself will typically stay suspended in water....even undisturbed water.

You are certainly doing all the right things but, since you mentioned that your algae was "on the bottom", I think you've got some other solids in there, as well.

Running your pump and getting them "stirred up" will get rid of whatever it is.

Have you done any testing this Spring to check the status of your water? That'll go a long way towards affirming your common sense approach

Dave S.