Well, I've spoken to the former owner and she said when she filled the pool after resurfacing in February, her water bill was under $200. We had a freak storm this afternoon and 15 minutes later our pool is full of crepe myrtle and oak leaves and something that hits and rolls, leaving a brown stain on our pristine surface. We're going to vacuum to waste and get rid of some of the water, use the opportunity of less water to get down on the deep end (we're swimming wienies) and scrub off the stains, refill, resalt and hopefully put this behind us. How's that for a positive attitude?

I'm such a newbie, I don't quite understand the difference between the pump box and the filter box. The pump runs the water through, circulating it, and it's the first box on the fence. I know the second one runs our Polaris. Is it also the filter, or just for the Polaris? Or does the filter automatically run whenever the pump is on? Do I need the pump/filter on while I vacuum to waste? I'M SO CONFUSED!

Help me, Waterbear, you're my only hope...<nod to Princess Leia>...oh, and Pat of course...and Ben...etc.

K