Just opened the pool and the pump is dead (tried replacing the capacitor - no luck). Called local pool companies and the earliest anyone can come is late next week. Live in Central Massachusetts and we are supposed to have some unusally nice warm (high 80's)tempatures this weekend. I wanted to gather up that sunshine (current water temp is 55) - but not at the expense of growing algea with no pump for a week.

The cover ripped this winter so there is all types of debris clouding up the water (lots of trees in backyard - leaves, pine needles etc) though no sign of algea YET! Pool specs are - 25,000 gal inground vinyl. The clorine level was 0 yesterday - added bleach by sprinkling around the pool and putting in the Dolphin to stir the water up (and start cleaning up the debris on the bottom) and now the CL is up to 9.5 with .5 CC. The ph was low so I added borax today - haven't taken a reading - waiting for it to get all stirred in. Alk is 70, CYA is 30.

My question is - should I cover the pool up to prevent algea, or can I throw in some polyquat and keep the chlorine levels high? The cover is HUGE (20 x 40) and such a pain to get on and off by myself - I'd like to keep it off - but I don't want a slimey pond either - so any advise while waiting for the new pump would be greatly appreciated!