I’ve had the Wayne one for 4yrs. Need to periodically clean it to keep it from clogging. Price seems high though.
water bag alternatives
- Thread starter Diver
- Start date
ryandkysmom
Active member
Are you still using plastic storage bins? I’m also Cle. First winter closing a pool.We are pool novices and this is our first winter and closing. So take my advice for what it's worthWe started off with a tarp and water tubes and after our first winter storm, the water tubes had deflated and I was outside in the middle of the night pulling the tarp up from the bottom of the pool. After some phone calls to some more experienced pool friends we opted for the plastic storage bins filled with water. So far so good, and the cost was not too bad either.
The water bags lasted 2 seasons and the ones that were not damaged I gave away. Luckily, I was able to purchase the Acqua Blocks at a reasonable cost years ago, because now they are triple the cost. I personally filled by blocks with concrete, put the tops on and used tie straps to hold them in place. Yes, I know you are not supposed to do this, but my water level is high, I always pump the top of the water down in the pool under the cover. As the water builds up, I add a gallon of bleach, and some borax to raise the PH and pump it back underneath.
This ensures that the cover is always high, and not sagging to sinking in the pool. A warning though. Your cover must be very large and go out at least 5-7 feet away from the pool, and it must pulled tight. This way the cover can not sink in pool. Water has a tendency to evaporate in the winter, so replenishing the water with rain water is a good idea. I have attached a picture, but the cover extends out further. Depending on your pool size, these block could cost over $400 these days, while they were about $125 back then.
This ensures that the cover is always high, and not sagging to sinking in the pool. A warning though. Your cover must be very large and go out at least 5-7 feet away from the pool, and it must pulled tight. This way the cover can not sink in pool. Water has a tendency to evaporate in the winter, so replenishing the water with rain water is a good idea. I have attached a picture, but the cover extends out further. Depending on your pool size, these block could cost over $400 these days, while they were about $125 back then.
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ryandkysmom
Active member
You keep your pool full over the winter? And add chemicals all winter? And run your pump in winter? I’m asking seriously btw not sarcastically. I’m currently considering getting these sands bags in 60”. One pack of 10 should work for my 18’x36’ winter cover. I’m hoping anyway! Anyone here have thoughts on these bags? Tube Sandbags - 4 Lengths and 5 Colors - The Sandbag Store
You keep your pool full over the winter? And add chemicals all winter? And run your pump in winter?
Because water evaporates under the solid tarp cover, and then water accumulates over the cover, I use a pump attached to a hose and pump it back under the cover. Rain water lowers PH so I add borax (1 box per season only) and a gallon of bleach to kill any algae on the surface twice during the winter. By pumping the water under the cover, now the cover will not sag dragging everything into the pool (water bags, aqua blocks, etc.). A little bit of bleach now keeps the water under the cover from algae problems.
Regarding what you use, I only would recommend the aqua blocks, given they are maintenance free. The problem again is the cost associated today. I also spray some Armor All twice a year so they do not dry out and crack. The ties are not that expensive either. As long as the cover extends pretty far out, anything heavy will keep the cover from sinking. Make sure water is added and pumped back into the pool as evaporation occurs.
No I do not run the pump or add any other chemicals. The pool lines are cleared and plugged, so I can not turn the pump back on. My pump goes into the basement for the winter and I have a dummy set up upon closing. I just use the pump on the tarp to pump water back in. It is a little bit of a PIA given there are a ton of leaves, but I remove the leaves first, then pump the water. This way, when I open the pool, the water level is right where it needs to be and I do not have to wait 2-3 hours to fill the pool back up.
I have a friend who uses 4*4 pressured treated wood, tucks them on the slots of the cover, pulls it tight, and works really well. However, he purchased the wood a long time ago before these crazy prices. In the end, you have to find something you are comfortable with using to support the cover, that will not slide back in the pool, and is cost effective.
www.poolsupplies.com
This is not a bad price. I remember paying like $3 per block, and then $4 per block. This will run you $6.50 per block. Good luck and keep us posted.
Because water evaporates under the solid tarp cover, and then water accumulates over the cover, I use a pump attached to a hose and pump it back under the cover. Rain water lowers PH so I add borax (1 box per season only) and a gallon of bleach to kill any algae on the surface twice during the winter. By pumping the water under the cover, now the cover will not sag dragging everything into the pool (water bags, aqua blocks, etc.). A little bit of bleach now keeps the water under the cover from algae problems.
Regarding what you use, I only would recommend the aqua blocks, given they are maintenance free. The problem again is the cost associated today. I also spray some Armor All twice a year so they do not dry out and crack. The ties are not that expensive either. As long as the cover extends pretty far out, anything heavy will keep the cover from sinking. Make sure water is added and pumped back into the pool as evaporation occurs.
No I do not run the pump or add any other chemicals. The pool lines are cleared and plugged, so I can not turn the pump back on. My pump goes into the basement for the winter and I have a dummy set up upon closing. I just use the pump on the tarp to pump water back in. It is a little bit of a PIA given there are a ton of leaves, but I remove the leaves first, then pump the water. This way, when I open the pool, the water level is right where it needs to be and I do not have to wait 2-3 hours to fill the pool back up.
I have a friend who uses 4*4 pressured treated wood, tucks them on the slots of the cover, pulls it tight, and works really well. However, he purchased the wood a long time ago before these crazy prices. In the end, you have to find something you are comfortable with using to support the cover, that will not slide back in the pool, and is cost effective.
Aqua Blocks Pack of 20 - PoolSupplies.com
Tired of hard to handle vinyl water bags that eventually rupture, puncture and leak, or cinder blocks which can cause damage to your pool?<B> Now you have a choice.</B> No more unsightly mess around your pool. Aqua Bloks are an attractive way to keep your pool cover in place all winter long...
This is not a bad price. I remember paying like $3 per block, and then $4 per block. This will run you $6.50 per block. Good luck and keep us posted.
I'd be worried the sand would eventually get wet and then get gross. Says they are canvas so I doubt they are waterproof.
ryandkysmom
Active member
Ok I gotcha now. That makes total sense. Thank you so much. I’ll let you all know what we end up doing and how it works out.You keep your pool full over the winter? And add chemicals all winter? And run your pump in winter?
Because water evaporates under the solid tarp cover, and then water accumulates over the cover, I use a pump attached to a hose and pump it back under the cover. Rain water lowers PH so I add borax (1 box per season only) and a gallon of bleach to kill any algae on the surface twice during the winter. By pumping the water under the cover, now the cover will not sag dragging everything into the pool (water bags, aqua blocks, etc.). A little bit of bleach now keeps the water under the cover from algae problems.
Regarding what you use, I only would recommend the aqua blocks, given they are maintenance free. The problem again is the cost associated today. I also spray some Armor All twice a year so they do not dry out and crack. The ties are not that expensive either. As long as the cover extends pretty far out, anything heavy will keep the cover from sinking. Make sure water is added and pumped back into the pool as evaporation occurs.
No I do not run the pump or add any other chemicals. The pool lines are cleared and plugged, so I can not turn the pump back on. My pump goes into the basement for the winter and I have a dummy set up upon closing. I just use the pump on the tarp to pump water back in. It is a little bit of a PIA given there are a ton of leaves, but I remove the leaves first, then pump the water. This way, when I open the pool, the water level is right where it needs to be and I do not have to wait 2-3 hours to fill the pool back up.
I have a friend who uses 4*4 pressured treated wood, tucks them on the slots of the cover, pulls it tight, and works really well. However, he purchased the wood a long time ago before these crazy prices. In the end, you have to find something you are comfortable with using to support the cover, that will not slide back in the pool, and is cost effective.
Aqua Blocks Pack of 20 - PoolSupplies.com
Tired of hard to handle vinyl water bags that eventually rupture, puncture and leak, or cinder blocks which can cause damage to your pool?<B> Now you have a choice.</B> No more unsightly mess around your pool. Aqua Bloks are an attractive way to keep your pool cover in place all winter long...
This is not a bad price. I remember paying like $3 per block, and then $4 per block. This will run you $6.50 per block. Good luck and keep us posted.
Hi,
Your signature indicates a vinyl hard side pool. Is this an AGP? If so, what works "swimmingly" (pun intended) on an in-ground pool may not work at all for an above-ground. Just wanted to clear that up, just in case.
Your signature indicates a vinyl hard side pool. Is this an AGP? If so, what works "swimmingly" (pun intended) on an in-ground pool may not work at all for an above-ground. Just wanted to clear that up, just in case.
I must say that, after switching to a mesh cover that stretches at various points to anchors in the deck, I never once regretted investing the money. I hated those tubes after using them for maybe 15 years or so. Some would spring a leak and then just the hassle of cleaning / storing them.
ryandkysmom
Active member
It is AGP, but wood deck surrounds it. I’m going to start looking for 5 gallon buckets to hold down my cover.