Can I prevent algae before opening my pool?

[MynameisBrittney]

Hello! Tis the season to start thinking about opening my pool. I live in Illinois and I have a 15 x 40 inground swimming pool with a deep end and mesh cover. I had a very similar pool growing up, and I remember opening it to clear water. (We had a solid cover). Last year when I opened this pool for the first time I was *shookith* to see a total swamp when I took the mesh cover off. We shocked it, put algaecide in- all of the things you should do before closing the pool. Upon reading more, I guess this is common with mesh covers. Especially since where we live we will sometimes get high temps in April for a week or two and then it drops back down. I am going to open my pool earlier this year (first week of May), but- I was wondering if I can start putting algaecide or chlorine in before I open the pool to help hold off the algae before opening. It's easy enough to take a few straps off of the cover and dump some chemicals in- but I don't want to hurt the pool liner- and it won't be circulating. Any thoughts or recommendations are appreciated!
Attached is a picture of it looking like gatorade after the first dose of chemicals last year.

 

[Newdude]

, I guess this is common with mesh covers.

It's not. It's common from closing too early, not chloronating enough when doing so, and/or opening too late.

I'm on season 9 with a mesh cover and as of last week when I drained some water, still haven't had an issue.

Don't add anything now, the water needs to be well mixed for up to a day in order to trust the testing from it. Without reliable testing, anything you do is what we call dump and pray.

Open early before the water is 60 degrees. If you do need to SLAM Process, it's always an easier battle while algae is still mostly dormant and not growing exponentially like it will be a few weeks after that.

*edit. Please excuse my terrible manners. Welcome to TFP !!!!

 

[Texas Splash]

Welcome to TFP!

I was wondering if I can start putting algaecide or chlorine in before I open the pool to help hold off the algae before opening.

Doubtful. You must be cautious adding any chemical when teh system is not operational to mix it properly.

But let's get to your main question - YES you can open to a relatively clean/clear pool if it is winterized properly. This includes accurate testing (with a proper test kit) before closing. Of course opening as soon as possible is important as well. I'm going to put a few links below to help get you stated. Look them over and let us know if you have more questions. Lots of folks here to help.

Pool Care Basics

Closing (Winterizing) Your Above Ground Pool

Closing an above ground pool at season’s end should be a fast and worry-free process. Learn the basics of above ground pool winterization in easy steps.

www.troublefreepool.com

Opening your pool- An easy to follow guide

Opening your pool can be stressful. This Pool Start Up guide teaches everything from start-up chemicals, covers, and more for your start up.

www.troublefreepool.com

If you get algae, follow ------> SLAM Process

 

[MynameisBrittney]

It's not. It's common from closing too early, not chloronating enough when doing so, and/or opening too late.

I'm on season 9 with a mesh cover and as of last week when I drained some water, still haven't had an issue.

Don't add anything now, the water needs to be well mixed for up to a day in order to trust the testing from it. Without reliable testing, anything you do is what we call dump and pray.

Open early before the water is 60 degrees. If you do need to SLAM Process, it's always an easier battle while algae is still mostly dormant and not growing exponentially like it will be a few weeks after that.

*edit. Please excuse my terrible manners. Welcome to TFP !!!!

Thank you for the info! Should I be draining water occasionally? With the snow melt and rain the pool is pretty full. I can see the water through the cover now.

 

[MynameisBrittney]

Welcome to TFP!


Doubtful. You must be cautious adding any chemical when teh system is not operational to mix it properly.

But let's get to your main question - YES you can open to a relatively clean/clear pool if it is winterized properly. This includes accurate testing (with a proper test kit) before closing. Of course opening as soon as possible is important as well. I'm going to put a few links below to help get you stated. Look them over and let us know if you have more questions. Lots of folks here to help.

Pool Care Basics

Closing (Winterizing) Your Above Ground Pool

Closing an above ground pool at season’s end should be a fast and worry-free process. Learn the basics of above ground pool winterization in easy steps.

www.troublefreepool.com

Opening your pool- An easy to follow guide

Opening your pool can be stressful. This Pool Start Up guide teaches everything from start-up chemicals, covers, and more for your start up.

www.troublefreepool.com

If you get algae, follow ------> SLAM Process

Thank you for the info!

 

[Newdude]

Should I be draining water occasionally?

Yes. With a mesh cover, you'll accumulate 2 to 3 ft of off season precipitation, which is more than you drained to close. If the water level gets to the liner track, any more water may find it's way under the liner causing it to float/wrinkle. It's your choice (and up to the weather as you can't drain ice) if you remove one foot twice in the winter, 6 inches four times, etc etc.

 

[PoolStored]

I was wondering if I can start putting algaecide or chlorine in before I open the pool to help hold off the algae before opening.

Depends on your definition of "Opening." I'm in Ohio, so same latitude. I "open" my pool April 15 (last frost day here). I hookup all the plumbing and start the system. I use a stenner pump, so adding chlorine is easy. Some have created pvc piping that allows you to pour your chlorine into the pvc and have it deliver it, under the cover into the pool over a return. Simple stair step pvc design. I pop the corner springs and drop my robot in to remove any debris and worms, and to check FC every day. I leave the mesh cover on until I "Open" the second time.

I "open" the pool a second time May 15, by removing the mesh cover...ready to go!

This method allows me to get chlorine in, and FC up before the pool water temperature is high enough to really allow algae growth.

Oh, and give the pool 24 hours of circulating before you test and add any chemicals. If you have a robot, use that. Circulating and robot will help mix the water and de-stratify all the rain/snow water that is likely sitting on the top strata.

 

[Newdude]

+1. I do a 'soft open' most years and have it running under the cover.

 

[mariane]

. . .- I was wondering if I can start putting algaecide or chlorine in before I open the pool to help hold off the algae before opening. It's easy enough to take a few straps off of the cover and dump some chemicals in- but I don't want to hurt the pool liner- and it won't be circulating.

Welcome to TFP. They've all got you covered.
Chlorine is heavier than water and will sink and sit on the bottom, bleaching the liner if not circulated.
My bleached liner story: listened to pool store advice and dumped chlorine in when unable to circulate it. It sat at that spot for a few weeks. Bleached it white right where I had poured it. Looked terrible and weakened the liner.

 

[IceShadow]

I've never heard of this "soft open" before seeing it in a couple of threads this year, and it makes total sense to me. I was just trying to open all in one day because that's how a pool service would do it - I didn't adjust at all to being the one to do the opening.

But yes - wait for water to be below 60 deg when you close, and make sure it's as spotless as you can get it. Then open before the water hits 60 degrees. Algae growth is slowed a ton below 60 deg F. When I open the water is clear, but I have a bunch of dirt/dust/pine needles/leaves/etc. on the ground to clean out. (The pool clouds up from this stuff when I start disturbing the bottom but the filter takes care of it and by then I'm able to add chlorine.)

 

[Newdude]

I was just trying to open all in one day because that's how a pool service would do it

Mine kinda happened by dumb luck.

When the kids were little, I'd only have 2 hours here or there to get stuff done. So I always did opening/closing in stages over a few weekends to lessen the burden.