Closing a pool with an old mesh cover

[gwtw]

We did a soft closing several weeks ago by putting our mesh cover over our pool to keep leaves out and running the pump with the cover on instead of closing early to deal with the leaves like we usually do. Water temperature has finally dropped below 60 degrees so we are going to get it closed by a pool service in a few days. I bought some polyquat to add at closing because I’ve discovered that our old mesh cover lets in too much sunlight and we tend to get a lot of leaves in our pool, which decreases FC. After testing the water, I’m not sure if I should use the polyquat now because FC isn’t down to half SLAM yet, even though we haven’t added chlorine in over a week and we had several hot days last week. Here are my latest test results:
FC 14, CC .5, CYA 40, TA 70, PH 7.8

Based on these test results and the existence of an old mesh cover that lets in rainwater, some sunlight and leaves, what would be my best course of action before before closing?
* Could I go ahead and add the polyquat even though FC isn’t at half SLAM or below yet?
* If a chlorine level that high could decrease the effectiveness of the polyquat, should I reduce the chlorine with a chlorine neutralizer so I can use the polyquat?
* Or would I be better off closing at SLAM level and adding chlorine over the winter while draining water out with my sump pump? If that is my best solution, I need to know if there is a way to get an accurate chlorine reading so I’m not getting FC up too high since high FC can damage the gelcoat.
* Are there any hacks for keeping leaves from blowing under the cover over the fall and winter? I don’t have a robot to throw into the pool to get leaves out and removing the cover to get them out with a net attached to a pool pole would be difficult.
* Would it help if I added a tarp to my mesh cover in late winter once the threat of snow has passed? Someone on another thread suggested adding a tarp but I worry that a tarp could damage my older mesh cover since it isn’t in the best shape if it remains on the pool during snow season.

 

[ajw22]

Add the PQ60 24 hours before closing at whatever FC level the pool is and forget about the pool water chemistry until you open the pool.

Algaecide - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

I say don't worry about the leaves that get under the cover. You do a good pool cleaning when you open the pool.

 

[Newdude]

Or would I be better off closing at SLAM level and adding chlorine over the winter while draining water out with my sump pump?

Run the submersible back into the pool for a while once the draining is done. Then test, dose if necessary, and sweep the general area with the brush.

so I’m not getting FC up too high since high FC can damage the gelcoat

Enough with the manufacturer nonsense that shuns science. Your CYA buffers the HOCL of the chlorine and its less harsh than tap water. You'd fill your pool with tap water no problem. Up to SLAM fc is less HOCL than that.

Are there any hacks for keeping leaves from blowing under the cover over the fall and winter?

People have had success using 3/4 or 1 inch foam rope under the perimeter.

 

[gwtw]

Add the PQ60 24 hours before closing at whatever FC level the pool is and forget about the pool water chemistry until you open the pool.

Algaecide - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

I say don't worry about the leaves that get under the cover. You do a good pool cleaning when you open the pool.

Can the PQ60 be added in front of a deep end return like liquid chlorine if it is dissolved in several buckets of warm water first? I saw something on another thread about doing this but I’m skeptical about adding it this way since it’s much thicker than chlorine or anything else I’ve added in front of a return before. I can’t get it into the pool any other way since I don’t want to take all of the loop loc anchors off to add it around the perimeter and risk leaves blowing in while doing this.

If adding PQ60 above half SLAM level causes the FC to drop to minimum FC or lower, will the polyquat kick in to prevent algae over the winter, even though the chlorine may have degraded it some?

 

[ajw22]

You are overthinking this.

Dump the PQ60 into the pool the best way you can.

 

[Newdude]

Can the PQ60 be added in front of a deep end return like liquid chlorine if it is dissolved in several buckets of warm water first

Yes. Many just dump it in the pool like syrup. You diluting it first will help tremendously, with or without the pump. I added a mid winter dose the first few years which is how I came up with the diluted bucket idea.

If adding PQ60 above half SLAM level causes the FC to drop to minimum FC or lower, will the polyquat kick in to prevent algae over the winter, even though the chlorine may have degraded it some?

You'll have some left of each. There's no hard data on exactly how they react. Either way, you are leaving residuals in the water for the winter versus the people who cover the pool as is and walk away from it.

 

[gwtw]

Run the submersible back into the pool for a while once the draining is done. Then test, dose if necessary, and sweep the general area with the brush.

Enough with the manufacturer nonsense that shuns science. Your CYA buffers the HOCL of the chlorine and its less harsh than tap water. You'd fill your pool with tap water no problem. Up to SLAM fc is less HOCL than that.



People have had success using 3/4 or 1 inch foam rope under the perimeter.

I thought about using foam rope but didn’t know how to attach it to the loop loc cover and brackets so it won’t come off on a windy day. If I’m not able to keep leaves out of it by using foam rope, do you think I’d have more success with warding off algae if closing at SLAM level and adding chlorine 3-4 times over the winter or adding PQ60 and not mess with adding any chlorine over the winter? I worry about the leaves decreasing FC and causing tannin stains that are difficult to remove later. I’ve never had any tannin stains yet and have always closed with PQ60 but our trees are more mature now so they are dropping more leaves this year.

 

[Newdude]

thought about using foam rope but didn’t know how to attach it to the loop loc cover

Wedge it under the perimeter seam and the cover will hold it in place.

do you think I’d have more success with warding off algae if closing at SLAM level and adding chlorine 3-4 times over the winter or adding PQ60 and not mess with adding any chlorine over the winter?

If you have it (somewhat) open to drain, I'd mix and test it. More often than not it'll probably not need more FC seeing how you're closing nice and late. Or one dose mid winter will make it the rest of the off season. The weather and temperature will fluctuate year over year. Roll with it and adjust as necessary for your best chances.