Best cover for above ground pool - 18 Round - Suggestions please.

[burmjohn]

Hi all,

Looking for the best cover (since there are 9000 options) for my new Matrix above ground pool (18 round). Pics below and also a link to my install thread with more pics

There are so many options not to sure what to go with? Suggestions welcome along with if I need a pillow in the middle and any other accessories?


Install thread: http://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/77487-Above-ground-pool-install/

Some recent pics:

Thank you!

 

[pwrstrk]

I use this type of cover. So far I'm pleased with it. No problems with it so far. It's called ultimate winter cover. It has a mesh strip down the middle to let water seep through.

 

[burmjohn]

I saw that one in the recent dohenys (spelling) ad. Looks nice, but wasnt sure if I should go mesh or solid.

 

[burmjohn]

I use this type of cover. So far I'm pleased with it. No problems with it so far. It's called ultimate winter cover. It has a mesh strip down the middle to let water seep through.

Curious did you attach those clip holders to the post or do something different?

 

[pwrstrk]

I attached them to the posts. My posts are steel, everything else is resin except for the wall of course. ?

 

[burmjohn]

I attached them to the posts. My posts are steel, everything else is resign except for the wall of course. ��

Do you use one of those pillows under the cover with this one?

 

[pwrstrk]

No I don't. The cover is somewhat tight and it sits on top of the water. I only drain to the bottom of my skimmer. I use an aquador over my skimmer opening. If need be I just drain more water out of the pool. ?

 

[burmjohn]

What happens when your water freezes in PA? Then water drains in the pool? I was thinking of leaving the return off so it can auto drain?

 

[phonedave]

I am in Northern NJ - I use a sold cover and a pillow on my pool (27' ABG)

I keep the water level just at the bottom of the skimmer. I keep the cover as water free as I can. It is pretty easy if you just siphon it off as it rains. Keeping the cover dry also lets the leaves blow off. The pillow in the middle makes getting any rain water off easier. I have one end of a hose zip tied to two pound weight. I stick that on the cover and start a siphon. Then I use my pool brush to move the water around pillow to the well created by the weight.

Once it snows / freezes clearly I cannot siphon anymore, but if it thaws, or I can punch a hole in the ice, I will remove whatever water I can.

-dave

 

[pwrstrk]

What happens when your water freezes in PA? Then water drains in the pool? I was thinking of leaving the return off so it can auto drain?

Whatever snow ice is on cover it just drains into pool when it melts. I've had to drain some water from pool a couple times to keep the level down. In the two seasons I've had the pool I've never had to add any water to it. ?

 

[MermaidMama]

Bump for more suggestions?

 

[linda1]

I drain my pool 6 inches below the return. The first two winters I used a solid cover with a pillow in the middle. Next two winters I used the solid cover and no pillow. Each year we had to use a hose to siphon the water off as snow melted. Last year I bought the ultimate winter cover with the mesh strip down the middle. We have a 4ft wide walk around deck, so we drilled holes in the ends of the deck boards and hooked the straps that way. It worked very well. We did not have to worry about water on the cover. A bonus was that by spring, the water level was up to the bottom of the skimmer and we didn't need to add much water to get the pump going in the spring.

 

[pwrstrk]

There's the pic I was looking for another thread.
Thank you Linda !

 

[linda1]

Your welcome!

 

[burmjohn]

I went with the ultimate pool cover. But since I have the matrix with resin I'm not drilling those anchors on the uprights. So I found swing set screw in anchors in amazon. Bought 3 sets of them on sale, 4 anchors per box. Way cheaper then buying the screw in anchors separately They screw into the ground and figured this could be perfect. I'll take picks tomorrow once the cover is on.

Sent from my LG-VS980

 

[burmjohn]

Seemed like it worked out well. Ordered some adjustable bungies to replace the big zip ties I used.

Sent from my LG-VS980

 

[singingpond]

Looks good; clever use of the swingset anchors! Please post again on how it works out over the winter.

Regarding the black straps in your pictures, we purchased some very similar looking ones from the local hardware store last fall -- used them as replacement for the elastic keeper cord on the tire chains for our pickup truck. The black material deteriorated rapidly from outdoor exposure during the winter, and, by springtime, the material cracked all the way through on one tire. No knowing whether you will have a similar problem, but the condition of the black elastic straps may be something to keep an eye on over the course of the winter.

 

[burmjohn]

Thanks... Those black cords actually came with the cover, so hopefully they will last

I might be able to just get away with these new adjustable bungee cords too, will have to see how much tension I need and how far they stretch.

 

[pwrstrk]

If they are the same ones that came with mine they should last. Mine are on the third winter and they are in good shape. Mine are rubber tarp straps. No cracking in any of them. ?

 

[burmjohn]

If they are the same ones that came with mine they should last. Mine are on the third winter and they are in good shape. Mine are rubber tarp straps. No cracking in any of them. ��

good to know...