I just looked at the weather for today and the temps overnight are supposed to be freezing (low 30s) with frost advisory. My pool has been open for about 3 weeks and its been in the 40s-50s at night. Is there anything special I have to do? Run the filter all night or not at all? The water is all balanced and salt was adding yesterday. I was planning on setting up the SWG tonight but maybe I should wait until tomorrow for that? The temps are supposed to be close to 70s tomorrow. Also I was going to put on the solar cover today (even tho there is no sun) should I wait on that?
I know this may be a dumb question but...
- Thread starter mastiffs08
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The solar cover will help retain heat that is gained during the day, so it will keep the water temp up, even with cooler temps outside. I think when you have a risk of freezing that will be more than 12 hours is when you have to worry about the pipes, but I agree, leave the pump running for prevention. Using the solar now will help keep the water temp up above the surrounding air. You can wait on the SWG, I'm not sure how well it works when the water temp is that cold? Someone else will chime in on that.
I'd put the solar blanket on too now. The overnight freeze won't be a problem, and I don't think your pool would be harmed if you didn't put it on...but it will help from losing heat. And its going to be in the 80's near the end of the week!!
Regarding the SWG... With water temps in the 50's, our system seemed to max out at about 30% output . From 60-65 degrees about 65% output. So it is producing, just not as much. If the pump is running anyway, I'd go ahead and start your SWG
The solar cover is a good idea anyway; it will help reduce both evaporation and radiational cooling. Re. freezing, salt lowers the freezing point of water, and water has a huge specific heat anyway (takes a lot to make it freeze), but still--running the pump (on low if it's 2-speed) is cheap insurance.
--paulr
--paulr
Ignore these warm weather folks--I've got the same forecast. One night of this will probably not put skim ice on a bucket--let alone affect a pool, even AG. No insurance of any kind required. As far as cover, you don't say what your water temp is so any advice is meaningless without that data bit. If ambient is colder than water, then cover will retain heat keeping pool warmer. I am at 66° F water temp now, and with this forecast I will be swimming by the end of the week and I have no heater or cover. We swam this past weekend (although not much!)But I hate bathtub temp pools.