Closing a pool with an mesh cover in southern Kentucky

[gwtw]

If you have a mesh cover and live in Southern Kentucky or a upper south state with a similar climate, is it best to add PQ60 at closing because of the mild winters, or close with chlorine at SLAM level? Has anyone on here in a similar climate tried both closing methods and found that one results in a cleaner opening than the other?

I’m asking these questions because I’m trying to figure out what my best course of action is this year since our water temperature is 66 degrees, which is warmer than usual for this time of year. The last time I closed with similar temperatures, I added PQ60 before closing at half shock level and opened up to green water in the early spring but I closed earlier than this. It seems like no matter how early or late I schedule my closing and how early I schedule my opening, the water is always green at opening. Most of my friends with pools use a winter kit at closing and open up to clear water but they don’t have an older mesh cover like I do.

 

[Newdude]

We're fairly split down the middle with/without PQ. I'm further north of you but I've done both and opened clean. I'm currently on team FC only.

No matter which way you go, cold 0 FC rain water will sit on top stratified. When draining last winter I used 3/4 PVC to get a bottom sample and both FC and salt were 0 at the top, very low at 2 ft, and exactly like I left them on the bottom. So I added stirring it up to my draining process. I tossed the submersible hose on the cover for 20 minutes each on the left / right / center once it was drained. I think the rain and melted snow is a bigger issue than the PQ debate. I will also try to drain mostly top water going forward.

When you drain, stir it up and then test it. If the FC is getting low, bring it back to SLAM. That will likely last the rest of the off season and then open after the last freeze. If you need to drain again, test again.

We'd love to help you save lots of coin doing it yourself. They wanted 700something by me to close and I imagine opening is similar because of the chemicals needed. I'm sure yours is respectively as outrageous for your local cost of living. We walk several through both processes every year and many learned when starting with little experience / handiness. You need a helper for the cover because it's akward. My 5'2" wife easily helps me fold it and would be able to carry her half if I needed her to. Or roll it into a wheelbarrow so you don't even need to carry it to the shed/garage. The rest of it is fine to do solo.

 

[Saturn94]

I realize this doesn’t answer the question about using PQ, but the best thing I did to prevent green openings was to cover the mesh safety cover with a solid tarp. I’ve been doing this now for about 15 years or so and never have a green pool at opening regardless of water temp (typically mid to upper 60s when I open/close, but one year had to delay opening with water temp reaching 80 with no green). An added benefit has been extending the life of the expensive mesh safety cover; it’s 20 years old and still in excellent condition.

 

[Bperry]

If you have a mesh cover and live in Southern Kentucky or a upper south state with a similar climate, is it best to add PQ60 at closing because of the mild winters, or close with chlorine at SLAM level? Has anyone on here in a similar climate tried both closing methods and found that one results in a cleaner opening than the other?

I’m asking these questions because I’m trying to figure out what my best course of action is this year since our water temperature is 66 degrees, which is warmer than usual for this time of year. The last time I closed with similar temperatures, I added PQ60 before closing at half shock level and opened up to green water in the early spring but I closed earlier than this. It seems like no matter how early or late I schedule my closing and how early I schedule my opening, the water is always green at opening. Most of my friends with pools use a winter kit at closing and open up to clear water but they don’t have an older mesh cover like I do.

I use a mesh cover and don’t open to green water. Don’t close it until the water is consistently below 60F and test and add some chlorine mid way through the winter. No PQ necessary and don’t need to bring it up to SLAM level either but it doesn’t hurt.

 

[gwtw]

I realize this doesn’t answer the question about using PQ, but the best thing I did to prevent green openings was to cover the mesh safety cover with a solid tarp. I’ve been doing this now for about 15 years or so and never have a green pool at opening regardless of water temp (typically mid to upper 60s when I open/close, but one year had to delay opening with water temp reaching 80 with no green). An added benefit has been extending the life of the expensive mesh safety cover; it’s 20 years old and still in excellent condition.

I’m interested in hearing more about your tarp. What kind of tarp do you use and how do you attach it to the cover so it doesn’t blow around and damage the cover somehow? Do you cut holes in it so you don’t have to drain water off the cover? If I didn’t want to go out and buy a single tarp that would cover the entire pool, could I attach several smaller tarps to the pool that I already have that would only cover 80 percent of the pool to let water in? I’ve got 3 pretty large tarps in my garage and thought about putting on my cover last year but wasnt sure if they would help. My cover is pretty old and has numerous patched holes in it so I like the idea of covering the safety cover with a tarp if it could help decrease the chances of algae and prolong the life of my cover at the same time.

 

[Saturn94]

I’m interested in hearing more about your tarp. What kind of tarp do you use and how do you attach it to the cover so it doesn’t blow around and damage the cover somehow? Do you cut holes in it so you don’t have to drain water off the cover? If I didn’t want to go out and buy a single tarp that would cover the entire pool, could I attach several smaller tarps to the pool that I already have that would only cover 80 percent of the pool to let water in? I’ve got 3 pretty large tarps in my garage and thought about putting on my cover last year but wasnt sure if they would help. My cover is pretty old and has numerous patched holes in it so I like the idea of covering the safety cover with a tarp if it could help decrease the chances of algae and prolong the life of my cover at the same time.

Here’s what I use; a single tarp large enough to cover the entire pool.

PureLine Winter Pool Cover for 25' x 45' Rect Inground Pool - PL8960 - INYOPools.com

Winter Pool Cover for 25' x 45' Rect Inground Pool 15 Yr.

www.inyopools.com

I do not cut holes in it for drainage. I have to pump water off of it occasionally.

Regarding installation, I tuck much of the excess tarp under the mesh cover and use chlorine jugs filled with water to hold it down.


My guess is by blocking out light, it helps prevent algae growth. It also keeps the much pool cleaner, making spring cleanup MUCH easier.

 

[Newdude]

I always had a SWG. I've used like 8 bottles of bleach since 2012.

 

[Saturn94]

I always had a SWG. I've used like 8 bottles of bleach since 2012.

Our pool also has had a SWCG since it was installed (early 2004). I do a SLAM at spring opening, raise to SLAM levels at closing, and use liquid chlorine to raise FC as needed (though not needed often). I never use the SWCG to raise FC.

Years ago I use to use water tubes to hold down the tarp cover. I quickly discovered what a pain they are, not to mention the expense of having to replace them often, so started saving the plastic jugs to use (turns out they last much longer than the tubes). Over the years the number of jugs has added up.