Which kind of AG cover?

[antipode]

I'm considering either a solid cover or a mesh cover for my AG pool.

My conditions:
* moderate-hard winters
* LEAVES! Oh so many leaves!
* Rainy springs
* Many animals and birds using the cover as a toilet/bath in spring
(* water supply is not expensive here)

Equipment:
* a tiny cover pump

Each year, I scoop out hundreds of pounds of sludge from the pool cover, pump off days' worth of water, and deal with horrendous hatching mosquitoes on the cover. It's disgusting. (And this is after cleaning off the majority of the autumn drop.)

When I open the pool, it is BROWN. (It may be partly from closing the pool before a 80º October and opening the pool in June.)

I need a new cover (the old one had several holes), so I ask: what kind of cover would you recommend? I'm looking at these two types, but am open to others.
http://www.waterwarehouse.com/poolsupplies/12-By-24-Oval-Mesh-Cover.html
http://www.waterwarehouse.com/poolsupplies/12-By-24-Oval-Winter-Cover.html

Or maybe this: http://www.waterwarehouse.com/poolsupplies/12-By-24-Oval-Micro-Mesh-Cover.html

 

[antipode]

No takers at all? Has anyone used a mesh winter cover?

 

[heatmisr]

Sounds like you really need a leaf cover. That will go a long way towards getting rid of the mound of mucky leaves you encounter in the spring. I have used the solid cover and the mesh cover. I prefer the mesh. If you are getting a lot of rain, the mesh cover will allow the water to filter through and you won't end up having to pump the cover off all the time.

 

[NWMNMom]

I'm with Nicole. The solid covers are a hassle and the micro mesh covers just eliminate that swamp on top - we've used one for years and it has held up extremely well - no shredding or rips and we freeze as solid as it gets anywhere in the states.

 

[Casey]

Does the pool water get dirty/murky from the mesh covers when the rain water goes through?

 

[heatmisr]

Nope. Mine was nice and clear. Just a bit of silt on the bottom, but a lot less hassle than the solid cover.

 

[NWMNMom]

Sounds like Nicole and I have exactly the same experience. Never anything more than a bit of silt - crystal clear water at opening each year. I would never go back to a solid cover.