My pool is covered (has been for about a week now), but still has the filter and pump on it. It is still too warm around here to totally close it. We are still having day time temps in the mid 80s. I have to get the cover on before the big onslaught of leaves start falling around here, but still need to circulate for awhile yet. When we start having night time temps around freezing, which is still quite aways off for us, then we will tweak the chemistry, drop the water level and disconnect the filter and pump. It will probably be mid to late November.