We are up and running!!! 58 degrees though…Chlorine is up…I only got it up to 4 this evening…will do liquid CYA tomorrow morning…will do a gallon and see where it’s at…
liquid CYA Added…shaked it hard…some granules fell to the bottom, but then i just swished them around with a brush…i think we’re good with that…looking brand new…
Thanks for everything!!! Just missing about 20 degrees! 
CYA added. Liquid CYA is so easy…so much easier…I’m at 37…I think I’m content with that.
We’re up to 62 degrees, I might take the plunge today!!!
Settle the debate…
Got a solar cover…
When does it go on? At night? during the day? anytime not swimming? Can it be on while adding chemicals (e.g. liquid chlorine) During vacation? Not on vacation?
Everyone on the Internet has a different opinion…
Thanks!
Well, in my opinion… my solar cover is on 24/7 when I’m using it. It may add a few degrees during the day but the main benefit is that it keeps the heat in the pool overnight and prevents losing heat from the wind during the day (kind of like blowing on hot food cools it off). I take it off when using the pool but put it back on as soon as I can after getting out of it. It also keeps the heat in from any additional means folks have for heating a pool (heat pump, gas heater, or even solar panels). I only use it in the shoulder seasons but, to me, it’s worth its weight in gold.
The covers are pretty chemically resistant, but use common sense. With the pump running, peel back a corner when you add liquid chlorine and let it mix for a few minutes before covering it again. Chlorine floaters aren’t the best idea with a solar cover since they will either get covered and difficult to maintain or get stuck in a corner (potentially bleaching that area). Pull it off if you need to add acid, calcium, stabilizer (or anything else) and let the water circulate for 4-8 hours before recovering it. I feel like mine minimizes the need for pH adjustments when it is on, so leaving it on while you are on vacation is a great idea UNLESS your vacation is in the middle of summer. A warmer pool will use/lose more chlorine than a cooler pool will.
One thing to consider is raising your chlorine level when it is on. It collects a bunch of dirt and, since there is nothing preventing algae from growing in the puddles that may collect on it, marginal pool chlorine levels can struggle to keep up with the bioload you inevitably dump in it when you take it off. I’m happy to live with that “downside” of a solar cover to have a warmer pool to enjoy.
I hate it when the wife is right! This is great info!!! Thanks for taking the time to write a detailed explanation.
Our vacation is the end of june, just at the start of summer…neighbor will add chlorine MWF while we’re gone (we’re gone Sat-Sat).
Thanks again!
CC was slowly creeping up…expecting cool temps and some rain…super chlorinated up to 10ppm, hopefully, it will rectify the situation (CC was .41 then .66 something when i retested for calcium hardness)…CH is now 122, I’m okay with that…not entirely sure if it even needed to go from 82 to 122, but im content now…
Pool is up to 69 degrees…just need a few good days of sun to get it to our sweet spot…im happy as a clam at 75+ …
I can’t believe how bad that skimmer slat was…
So…solar cover…wowowow…really works…first season with one…
Few things I noticed…Pool retains temperature very well…water doesn’t evaporate, but most importantly…HOLDS CHLORINE…I’m so used to putting in 32-72 oz of chlorine daily…I haven’t put any in since Friday…the last time we swam…tested the chlorine last night…5.4…im not sure it’s because it’s colder and we’re not swimming as much that we’re not using chlorine…interested to see our chlorine use when June hits and we’re in the pool a lot more and 80 degree days are consistent…
I find the same thing. My pH rises pretty quickly with the cover off, but barely moves with it on.
Rich,
I love the Hayward dual speed 1HP Super Pump. Unfortunately, this pump won’t last forever. Would it be foolish to buy one now (as it will soon be extinct), and keep it in storage for 10-15 years!!! Is that crazy? I only know one place that still carries it…
I would say to not get a replacement, and you are correct. The single-and dual-speed motors are headed the way of the dodo bird and buggy whips, but there’s a good reason for that. The variable-speed motors are significantly more efficient and, depending upon how they are programmed, can easily pay for themselves with the savings on your electric bill. They are only getting better and more reliable as time goes on.
As for the pump parts - there are about a zillion of the Hayward Super Pumps out there. Replacement parts for it will be available for a very, very long time.
Rich…thanks!!!
We’re only losing about .5ppm a day of chlorine with the solar cover. We haven’t had any days in the 80’s yet, but curious to see how much chlorine we go through this season…I was losing 3-5 on any given day in the summer without a cover. Solar covers are nice!!! A little pain in the neck with getting on and off, but could be a lot worse…
Variable speed pumps are like $1200 (Haywards)…but I get you …thanks for the info!!!
There are a bunch of cheaper options for variable-speed motors and variable speed pumps.
We carry a couple of easy variable-speed drivetrain kits (motor plus impeller and seals) for the Hayward Super Pump like our own branded one and one with a Century motor.
So…I’m on a few facebook groups (pool maintenance tips, Above Ground Tips and fun, and a couple others), and I see so many people who can’t maintain a clear pool. I don’t know if I’m lucky or having quality pump and sand filter makes my job a lot easier…I know most ABG pools are soft sided so most people are not going to buy a filter/pump that cost more than the pool…i feel very fortunate that I found you, Rich. You have never steered me wrong and always preached less is more…liquid chlorine and Taylor Kit are the bare necessities…knock on wood, it’s been pretty smooth sailing…
My newest struggle is trying to keep #$@# out of the pool while taking the solar cover off…I think it’s impossible, but i love vacuuming so not a huge ordeal…suppose to be mid eighties this Wednesday, so very excited…pool is 69 degrees now…hoping to see 76 degrees on Wednesday!!! 73-78 are ideal temps for the pool when it’s hot outside. Fingers crossed!
Yep, keeping the crap on the solar cover out of the pool is pretty much impossible - that’s why I recommend a higher level of chlorine, so whatever goo you can’t avoid sliding into the pool doesn’t promote algae.
I’ve noticed that some of the other social-media pool groups have a bit of, umm, misinformed contributors. We won’t steer you wrong!!! Troublefreepool.com is one of the best groups out there - they won’t steer you wrong either.
Those are my to go spots…here and TFP. I just laugh at most of the #$#@ people recommend on these pages…
I just hope we get a hot summer…been awful thus far…only been in a handful of times…this Tuesday and Wednesday will be in the 80’s!!! Let’s fire up the grill and get this summer going!!!
Then I won’t tell you that, thanks to my solar cover, my pool has been between a balmy 88 and 90 degrees! Summer will officially be here in a few weeks!
Love it!!! 73 degrees, but the girls and I went in today!!! Not the coldest, not the warmest…88/90 is almost too hot…that’s insane my friend!!! A giant hot tub…how much chlorine you go through a week with those kind of temperatures!!! I hope to hit 78 within the next couple days!!! Holly’s birthday is Wednesday!!! Fingers crossed for good weather here in the 585!
Rich,
Going on a vacation at the end of month for a week. My neighbor is more than happy to fill the pool with chlorine…I usually leave bottles of chlorine under the deck pre-measured. Last summer, we were losing 3-4 ppm a day with no solar cover…Now I’m losing .5 - 1.0 ppm per day…
I usually leave three bottles (for him to dump Mon/Wed/Friday)…now I’m not sure how much to leave in the bottle…
17.61 oz raises our level 1 ppm
I was thinking 42 oz per day (M/W/F) — close to a total gallon (7.3ppm)…
I also plan to get it up to 8ppm and leave the solar cover…not expecting any exorbitantly high temperatures…(70’s and low 80’s as of now).
I would appreciate your honest thoughts…as we’re traveling unchartered waters this time (first time with solar cover)…
Thanks!!!