A good way to pump water off of the pool cover

[Jeffski]

I think he's using the pump to move the water away from the pool instead of just bailing buckets onto the ground, right?

[Poolidiot]

How does the water get in the bucket?

[JETTA]

I am using another 5 gallon bucket to gather the water. So that is about 40lbs of water I have to move with each bucket full. I have to scoop it up, stand up walk about 5 feet and throw it away from the pool.

By setting up the pump in a bucket all I have to do is scoop up some water an pour it into the bucket. A lot easier on the back!

[matt4x4]

Here's an even better way

Drill a number of 1/2" holes (many many many) in your Home depot bucket, set your pump with hose attached in the bucket, put 3/4" pea gravel around the pump for weight
Set the bucket on the cover - it should push down a fair amount if you added enough weight to it, turn your pump on.

It should keep debris from entering the bucket/pump.

Of course, you do have to donate 1 complete bucket to the cause of cleaning your cover.

[NWMNMom]

Simpler yet - with a Arctic Armor Micromesh winter cover. Water and melting snow drops through, debris is either swept off as it collects or dries and is pulled off with cover. A leaf net over that in late fall/early winter is even better to catch the leaves/debris but not required. We opened to crystal clear water with a tiny bit of fine silt in a few spots on the bottom.

[JETTA]

Matt,

That is a great idea. The stones will filter out the debris. Sort of like how a sump pump is set up.

[matt4x4]

Pretty much the same idea and a lot less of a pain in the back - instead of dunking and lifting, one can sit back with a beer!