mesh or leafnet for winter: pillow still needed?

[Poconos]

Just my quarters worth. Have a Loop-Lock for my IG and gave up on it. Here in Northeast PA, comes late Winter it would be totally frozen in the block of ice known as my pool. Repeated snow, sun, melt, freezing, would load the thing down and eventually lock it in ice. I've measured up to 18" of ice over the years. Now...don't even bother to cover. Keep equipment running as long as possible to allow vacuuming and chemistry balance, then winterize. Then in late February or March I drink beers and play with ways to melt the ice using my old Jacuzzi pump.
Al

[NWMNMom]

Well, I kind of think I'm leaning towards leafnet IF I can get one at a reasonably lower price than the micromesh - a lot of places they were almost the same darn price! Wish I could leave it open, but with all the crap that would fall in, I'm afraid I would have to get a wetsuit and go diving every spring in the icy waters of Plum Ridge Beach (What we call the pool) to dredge out sludge and gunk. No thanks - I have Koi ponds I have to dredge out in the spring and its not pretty and nice to smell, don't want to start doing the pool too (XXXX times larger!) YIKES.

[mohawk]

So was the question answered if most people use a pillow with the mesh cover or not? I need to buy this soon and have never closed before. I wish I didn't need to use it, but the oak trees out back say otherwise. Denise

[tenax]

i am getting a leaf net and water bags soon..and no, based on the advice of the pool folk i am getting it from and knowing they have to deal with similar conditions and much more snow/colder temps..i am not going to buy a pillow.

[mohawk]

So does the mesh or net float on the top of the water? Why wouldn't it sink to the bottom? Denise

[tenax]

weight of leaves and still will sink it below the water a bit...the water bags (i'm using doubles) will keep it from sinking right down..that's what i'm told anyway..that the net will stretch some. remember, your net should be sized so it hangs on the edges anyway so there will be some roof for it to give..you don't want a mesh net taught across the top of the pool. if well below pool level (say 2 feet or so in my case) it will be shaded from the wind for the most part.

[webfeet]

Are the micro mesh covers and leaf net covers that you are discussing in this thread for inground pools? We're newbies and are getting ready to purchase our first cover for a 20'6" x40'6" inground vinyl. The pool has end steps that stick out, and a cozy cove spa (built in fiberglass semicircle that takes up the same area as 4' x 8' steps.) The spa is on the left side. I am having trouble telling what the difference is between a leaf net and the micro mesh. I too, am finding that they are about or even the same price. What size would I need? Can either one be tied down? I would like to put anchors along the ground at the outside edge of the deck. Kind of like tent stakes. I can use some water tubes too, but thought anchors might help. Any input will be appreciated. Later on we plan to add a waterfall, and may go with a safety mesh cover then. But right now, I don't want to invest in a safety cover, when I know it will not fit after the waterfall is built. Thanks, Webfeet.

[prh129]

I believe the EnviroMesh covers come in above-ground and inground versions.

Peter

[NWMNMom]

we purchased a micromesh cover and closed our pool according to all instructions here and those with the cover. It indicates NO pillows as it is to sit on top of the water. When leaves fall on it, we pull it tight for an hour, then blow them off or sweep off (the water falls through into the pool) When it freezes, it will sit on top of the water/ice.