Filling the pool with cover on?

[JonF7]

Hey everyone,

Plan on opening my pool this weekend, and was wondering about the title. On Friday can I get the hose running underneath the cover for a few hours to get the pool filled? The only downsides I can think of is my arm will be wet when I go to remove winter plugs, but I also think the positives of being able to:
1). Remove the cover easier (some debris and water on it make it heavy, higher water line means not as much distance to get it over the ledge)
2). Once the tarp is off I can get right to setting up equipment and adjusting chemicals.

Am I missing something obvious as to why I shouldn't do this? Looking into getting a net for next year to assist with the leaves on the cover as well

 

[Bperry]

Hey everyone,

Plan on opening my pool this weekend, and was wondering about the title. On Friday can I get the hose running underneath the cover for a few hours to get the pool filled? The only downsides I can think of is my arm will be wet when I go to remove winter plugs, but I also think the positives of being able to:
1). Remove the cover easier (some debris and water on it make it heavy, higher water line means not as much distance to get it over the ledge)
2). Once the tarp is off I can get right to setting up equipment and adjusting chemicals.

Am I missing something obvious as to why I shouldn't do this? Looking into getting a net for next year to assist with the leaves on the cover as well

If the cover is not sitting on the water a leaf blower is handy to blow off debris before removing the cover.

 

[Krulligo]

I do this most springs. Its called soft opening. Leave the cover on while filling up the pool. Once filled, you can also run your pump and all equipment and check for leaks etc. You can also balance the water if it is way off. As you said, the main advantage of this is when you are opening early to prevent opening up to algae, you keep debris out and also the sun doesn't burn off your chlorine.

People also sometimes put their winter covers on when they go on vacation to minimize chlorine loss from the sun.

Disadvantage? You can't swim in the pool but my guess is the water is still too cold unless you have a heater. Also the sun won't heat up your water as efficiently with the cover on.