IG Pool Guys

[Poconos]

For those nights where it gets below freezing but not sustained and cold enough to worry about above ground pipes but not worry about large m-a-s-s-es like the filter, has anyone thought of a tiny pump just to keep some water circulating? Something like a cheap 1/6 HP sump pump but with a suction line? Should be relatively easy to plumb it to inject into the suction side of the regular pool pump, throw a suction line in the pool, add a couple ball valves in the normal skimmer line and bingo, keeps water circulating through the pipes, pump, filter, etc, only at a very slow rate. Lot cheaper than running the pool pump all night. I like to think CHEEP!
Al

[tenax]

an interesting idea, P...you're right..if you don't need a hammer for a fly...it's not like you need a huge amount of circulation overnight..

sigh..another pool project to consider..i definitely know i spent more time replacing/upgrading and maintaining then swimming this season

[tphaggerty]

Another option that I used last year was to throw a big tarp over the filter works (pipes, filter, pump) then put an old lamp with a 100W light bulb under the tarp (light on, off course). The large filter made the tarp into a tent and the bulb wasn't near anything so as to be a fire hazard. I didn't worry about anything underground.

Amazing how warm this kept everything, probably well into the 70's even on nights down into the high 20's. We couldn't close because I was having the solar installed (behind schedule). Worked like a charm - at least to keep me from worrying all night about frozen & cracked pipes. Now we have solar (I'm adding more!!) so we plan to keep the pool open well into October if the weather cooperates, so I am very likely to be doing this again.

And best of all, CHEAP and EASY!!!!