is it too early to open pool in chicago?

[Smykowski]

Yep, open now to allow plenty of time to balance and prevent algae from sneaking in. Maybe run the pump an hour or two per day.

Better scenario than "I'm having a pool party this weekend and I need it ready NOW!"

 

[bdex]

Swampwoman called it: when she opens her pool then the snow and/or ice hit. She said "Tuesday or Wednesday". She was right on the money!

But seriously, what do you northerners who open the pool now DO with the open pool? Do you just let the pump and filter run with the pool uncovered and LOOK at the water till mid-May, or heat it, or jump in and freeze? LOL

I wait until the kids are out of school until I open my pool. Late May?? Otherwise it is just throwing good money out the window. I too have an autocover, but even with it, the high 30's at night will run up a gas bill if you try to keep it warm. I rolled my cover back a few weeks ago and had a couple worms and a couple leaves and that was it. 100% clean and clear otherwise. Water still smelled good.

Only issue was that my light has moisture inside the lens. Will have to take apart and replace the seal I guess. I pull it out of the niche in the fall and attach it to a weight to sink towards the bottom. It may have still froze this winter though????




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[steveg_nh]

I'm in NH. I will,open next Friday 5/1. Takes about a week or two to get it all dialed in with the goal having it all set for Memorial Day. Piece of cake with TFP. honestly I love even just looking at the pool even if it's too cold to go in. Very soothing to me.

 

[Casey]

Swampwoman called it: when she opens her pool then the snow and/or ice hit. She said "Tuesday or Wednesday". She was right on the money!

But seriously, what do you northerners who open the pool now DO with the open pool? Do you just let the pump and filter run with the pool uncovered and LOOK at the water till mid-May, or heat it, or jump in and freeze? LOL

I run my filter a couple hours a day if that and feed the pool every 2 days. Shut pump off. The most pressing thing my pool needs is swept right now but it's clear!

 

[TSiGirl]

I ran my pump all of last night.. we have been flirting with the freezing temps at night around here..

 

[Chrissykr]

Swampwoman called it: when she opens her pool then the snow and/or ice hit. She said "Tuesday or Wednesday". She was right on the money!

But seriously, what do you northerners who open the pool now DO with the open pool? Do you just let the pump and filter run with the pool uncovered and LOOK at the water till mid-May, or heat it, or jump in and freeze? LOL

I am in AR and I opened on 3/23. That was after having to cancel twice because of snow. I personally don't care about the cost to open early. I would rather get everything balanced and work out any kinks now rather than when it is warm and I risk a swamp. We also hate the cover on the pool and like to run the light at night whether we sit outside or not. Much, much better looking than the stupid winter cover.

 

[f3justusc]

What is this thing called "opening"?

Reading this thread, I thought, what is all of this opening and closing business? I truly hope to never experience it. Disconnecting pumps, antifreeze, etc. Sounds like a whole lotta headache. I will take the Florida winter any day. Welcome to Spring.

 

[MNPoolDreamer]

We've been open for a couple weeks. We don't heat it, just filter when temps are close to freezing or the water temp starts to get close to 55. We throw rover in weekly to clean up the leaves and dirt from the neighbors farm. I don't want to clog my filter until planting season is done - Too much mud in the pool! Our pool thawed nice and clear - Gotta love the TFP way!

I can't wait to swim. It is supposed to be 80 this weekend, but the pool is still hovering around 55. I can't afford to raise the water temp that much for a weekend of swimming!

Let the pool season begin!

 

[JVTrain]

Been opening for about 2 weeks now. With water temps around 50, lots of time to fix/upgrade some plumbing, lube some gaskets, get the robot in shape, do some leaf raking... etc. I use maybe a gallon of bleach a week just to keep some FC in there but almost zero chance of algae growing.

Open early, close late but I think I jumped the gun by a few weeks this year. Hopeful for an earlier spring I guess.

 

[steveg_nh]

5/1 is always my target opening, and 10/1 for closing here in New Hampshire. Pool was a lot of money for 5 months a year, but I LOVE it when it's open.