mguzzy
Gold Supporter
Just two more weeks until you get your delivery of Oreos and cheese.. way to hang in there! 
As to your pump runtime.. the concept of turn over is an old theory. You really only need to run it long enough to accomplish the filtration and skimming you require. Sounds like you are discovering that on your own but reducing the runtime incrementally until you find the level that works best for your needs. well done.
Solar covers are great for keeping your chlorine from degrading from the sun, but you will find it will affect your pH as it allows the CO2 to build up.. but that outgasses quickly when you remove the cover. As far a heating the pool.. not really, But what it does do is keep the heat from dissipating at night.
I can relate to the challenges living away from the Western supply lines. I worked at a research post in rural Venezuela.. and whenever our shipment of goodies arrived from the Stateside lab it was like Christmas all over again. Suddenly we had the supplies to do things correctly, instead of looking for creative work arounds. And somehow they always snuck in the Oreos and Cheese past customs!
As to your pump runtime.. the concept of turn over is an old theory. You really only need to run it long enough to accomplish the filtration and skimming you require. Sounds like you are discovering that on your own but reducing the runtime incrementally until you find the level that works best for your needs. well done.
Solar covers are great for keeping your chlorine from degrading from the sun, but you will find it will affect your pH as it allows the CO2 to build up.. but that outgasses quickly when you remove the cover. As far a heating the pool.. not really, But what it does do is keep the heat from dissipating at night.
I can relate to the challenges living away from the Western supply lines. I worked at a research post in rural Venezuela.. and whenever our shipment of goodies arrived from the Stateside lab it was like Christmas all over again. Suddenly we had the supplies to do things correctly, instead of looking for creative work arounds. And somehow they always snuck in the Oreos and Cheese past customs!