like you lenny we didn't want to go the solar cover way -- and we still don't. i agree with the poster who said it's kind of a personal decision on when you heat the pool.

the way i look at it is ... the pool is there for our enjoyment ... we rarely go out often for big nights on the town ... we like to be at home ... we don't eat out much because we enjoy being at home ... we enjoy having our friends over and always provide the food and booze because they made the effort to visit ... i love it when people have a great time at our place and i don't worry about the expense -- i want to enjoy as much of the "summer" as i can (we live at the southern tip of ontario, canada) ... if i have to spend an extra $100 per month to enjoy the water at the temperature i like, when i want, then i'm going to do it. we're not big spenders in general and i like the little bit of decadence heating it provides ... friends get a big kick out of swimming in a steaming pool on a cool night ... and we only do this a handful of times

having said all that ... during the cooler months, i only aim for the warm pool on weekends ... but man it's great!!!

one more thing ... regarding the fish ... i put them in during the spring and fall ... do they work ... i have no idea!!!
if they work, it's marginal ...