Question for pool owners...

[Mom23Disneybelievers]

I am looking into purchasing Solar Sun Rings. It looks like I am going to have to purchase 17 for the size of my pool. That is OK, if they are worth it...if not, $350-$450 is a lot of $$$ to spend. A real BUDGET BUSTER!!! Reviews are mixed. Some people seem to love them while others do not.

Does anyone here use them? Do they work well? Do they hold up for a few years? Did you buy them seperately or in a bundle pack?

Any other solar alternatives?

TIA

 

[HALEYSMOMMOM]

My inlaws have these. They are OK- but do not heat quite as well as a blanket. There are gaps in between no matter how many you have. The biggest pain is taking all 20 of those things out of the pool every time my kids want to swim. The inlaws like the pool warm, so it is covered with these every night. A few have started letting water inside, theere is some fading of the graphic, but other than that I guess they are holding up well. It has only been about 2 years though. They bought them to make it easier than taking off a solar blanket, even though they do have a reel for it, but honestly it takes more time, and I think they regret the decision.

 

[lucigo]

I just went through the process of researching this. We go through a solar blanket every year so I was looking for alternatives. In the end I ordered a lower end solar blanket. It will keep the heat in better at night, and will raise the temp more during the day, plus will protect more from dirt/grass when we mow.

The main reason I considered the rings was that we have had 3 dogs step onto the blanket thinking it was solid ground, one of mine, and 2 visiting dogs, so I was worried about safety. Luckily none have done it twice.

We also have a home-made heater system that diverts filtered water through a black hose system before entering the pool. It seems to help also.

 

[CateinPhoenix]

We have 10 of them, we only use them in March/April to get the pool warmed up in the Spring and then again in November when they kids still want to get in occasionally. I think they make a big difference and worth the $.

 

[aprilgail2]

I just went through the process of researching this. We go through a solar blanket every year so I was looking for alternatives. In the end I ordered a lower end solar blanket. It will keep the heat in better at night, and will raise the temp more during the day, plus will protect more from dirt/grass when we mow.

.

Every YEAR???? this will be my 8th year with the same solar cover and its perfectly fine!

 

[dumbodame]

The Solar Rings don't work as well as a good Solar Blanket.

 

[bumbershoot]

I'm not sure if my brother got that brand, but whatever brand he got I'm sure he researched and was happy with the purchase at first.

But...they break down, they deflate, they droop, they are a pain to get out and put in.

He got them because he has a pool that isn't a normal shape, and putting out or taking off his blanket type cover ended up in lost plastic every time (little blue triangles!), and he was getting tired of it.

The rings solved his problems for awhile, but I don't think he would buy them again. He hadn't yet thought of a solution (they ponder things for a long long time), and now it's being solved in a year or so, when his wife's law firm moves, and they'll move with it. They plan to put in a rectangular pool this time, with a made-perfectly-for-it cover. The rings just weren't good enough.

 

[Mom23Disneybelievers]

My inlaws have these. They are OK- but do not heat quite as well as a blanket. There are gaps in between no matter how many you have. The biggest pain is taking all 20 of those things out of the pool every time my kids want to swim. The inlaws like the pool warm, so it is covered with these every night. A few have started letting water inside, theere is some fading of the graphic, but other than that I guess they are holding up well. It has only been about 2 years though. They bought them to make it easier than taking off a solar blanket, even though they do have a reel for it, but honestly it takes more time, and I think they regret the decision.

Thank you for the information. For the amount of money you would hope that they would be holding up better after just two years!

 

[Mom23Disneybelievers]

We have 10 of them, we only use them in March/April to get the pool warmed up in the Spring and then again in November when they kids still want to get in occasionally. I think they make a big difference and worth the $.

We are in New York so the thought of getting in the pool here in March/April or November makes me shiver!!

 

[Mom23Disneybelievers]

The Solar Rings don't work as well as a good Solar Blanket.

This is what I am starting to suspect from the responses.

 

[Mom23Disneybelievers]

I'm not sure if my brother got that brand, but whatever brand he got I'm sure he researched and was happy with the purchase at first.

But...they break down, they deflate, they droop, they are a pain to get out and put in.

He got them because he has a pool that isn't a normal shape, and putting out or taking off his blanket type cover ended up in lost plastic every time (little blue triangles!), and he was getting tired of it.

The rings solved his problems for awhile, but I don't think he would buy them again. He hadn't yet thought of a solution (they ponder things for a long long time), and now it's being solved in a year or so, when his wife's law firm moves, and they'll move with it. They plan to put in a rectangular pool this time, with a made-perfectly-for-it cover. The rings just weren't good enough.

Hmmm.... they are too much of an investment to only last a short while. I was really hoping to not have to deal with a large solar cover but it seems like that will make the most sense.

 

[Mom23Disneybelievers]

Thank you for the responses! It is really helpful to hear about others' experiences. I think that a large solar cover will work best for us.

 

[msmama]

OP, you say you're from NY - I was at Leslie's pool supply today and they have the solar rings on sale, buy 3 get 1 free (I think it was). That'll break the budget a little less.

I, too, have been debating them. I have a stupidly shaped pool so can't use a blanket at all. If you go with it, report back, please!

 

[Mom23Disneybelievers]

OP, you say you're from NY - I was at Leslie's pool supply today and they have the solar rings on sale, buy 3 get 1 free (I think it was). That'll break the budget a little less.

I, too, have been debating them. I have a stupidly shaped pool so can't use a blanket at all. If you go with it, report back, please!

I will! Probably heading out to the stores today.