P.S. I came across these, they look very interesting. Anyone tried them?
http://www.solarsunrings.com/

Normal covers generate little, if any BTUs... they are used to prevent heat loss thru the pool's surface.

I've never used Solar Sun Rings, but I just read up on them... if they really do generate 21,000 BTU per day per ring, than tht is a lot of BTUs. a 4 x 12 solar panel will generate about 48000 BTUs per day. 1 day is defined as 10 hours of sun light.

-G

About covers generating BTUs... they do. I meant when used only at night for heat retention when the pool has another type of heater.

-G

We've used the sun rings all summer. They really do hold the heat in at night - and coupled with our solar panels kept us nice and warm this summer.

My big compliant with them is that they really blow around, tend to lose air and seem to need a lot of maintenance. We found a guy on ebay who is selling "plans" for how to make a stronger version of a sun ring - really solar cover material suspended in a aquapex ring - we paid $10 for the plans and just 2 weeks ago finally made the rings - which are great!! All the benefits of using the solar rings (we have an odd shaped pool so this is easier than a full cover for me to take on and off and I think it's more attractive), they still hold in the heat...and they don't blow around (we have a LOT Of wind at our house) - I'm really happy with this version of the solar sun rings.

Do you have any pictures of the ones you made? I am guessing you seal the aquapex eliminating the need for inflation?
Boby

I don't have any - but I'll try to take them to post. You use these double ended barbs that hold the aquapex into a cicle (looks an awful lot like a hula hoop!) so no inflation needed, nor any sealing - between the hollow pex and the solar material they float perfectly, we've even had some heavy rain with them on the pool and no problems.

Jennifer,

I'd like to see these photos as well. I can't seem to find the plans on ebay.

Here is the link to the plans on ebay

Boby

Here is a link that might be useful: floating solar disks

One of the biggest advantages about these covers vs. others is their convenience. I distribute products to one of the largest swimming pool builders in the nation and so I am constantly looking for the best ones. I was given some from a vendor over a year ago and I thought they seemed hoakie at first until my wife said how much easier they were to take on and off as opposed to a traditional bubble cover. They are also much easier to store away after the swim season than other covers. One easy way to do that is hang them on a closet rod for clothing. You can pick up the brackets and rod at any hardware store and install them in your garage or on the side of the house. The key to using these effectively in regards to wind etc. is to not over-inflate them.

Where do you get the double ended barbs and aquapex?

We ended up ordering the Pex on line...I'll see if I can find the link of the place we ordered from (or just search for Aquapex - there is a pex superstore that comes up and they had great service!) - we bought the barbs at Lowes.

I did find the auqapex super store, where did you get the solar material, and what do the barbs look like?