Solar cover....which one

[waterbear]

IMHO, 12 mil blue/clear or blue is the most cost effective in terms of lifespan, durability, and effectiveness. Don't waste your money on the heavier stuff. It doesn't last for a longer enough time to justify the added expense and the blue/clear or blue color is usually the cheapest and works just as well as the others. You want to have to cover on at night to retain heat and remove it during the day so the sun can heat the water. An uncovered pool heats better than one that is covered and the majority of heat loss happens during the night from evaporation. I have an IG pool also and cut my cover into pieces that are small enough for 1 person to handle since my pool shape does not really permit me to use a cover reel.

Realisticly, expect maybe 3 years out of a 12 mil cover. the 8 mil usually only last one season and the thicker ones MIGHT give you 5 years. If you leave the cover exposed to sunlight while it is off the pool it will degrade a lot faster then if you keep it out of the sun or covered!