Which winter cover should I get??

[bryjen]

We considered but rejected the solid "safety" cover (also Anchor), which comes either with a mesh panel in the center or with a pump that sits at the low spot on the cover. Besides being much heavier (harder to handle) and somewhat more expensive than mesh, I didn't like the idea of all the debris piling up right under the mesh panel (although that might be okay) or having to remove the pump during freezing conditions (according to the instructions). If it weren't for that freezing problem, I think the solid cover with a pump would be ideal for my conditions. Mesh is certainly ideal for warmer, tree-free conditions.

The pump we use with our Anchor solid safety cover has freeze protection.

[shadowman]

I have only weathered two winters with our inground vinyl and a mesh safety cover. The first year I carefully winterized it, draining below the skimmer and everything. We had more than our usual winter rainfall and I had to run the pump to drain the excess several times. Last winter I decided to forget the winterizing and take my chances with freezing. It worked out OK but I think I will open it earlier next year to try to get ahead of the algae. I kept some chlorine in it but it was still green on the bottom when I uncovered it. A few jugs of bleach and some vacuuming over a few weeks and it cleaned up nice. A lot of dirt and sediment, maybe decomposed leaves, kept settling out. I'm sure there are pros and cons for both covers but they all mean work of some kind.

Good luck!