just opening -- some leaves in bottom

[irishsph]

we are just getting around to opening our pool this week. i know, i know! we are way late.
when we removed the cover, we did have quite a few leaves fall to the bottom of the pool. they are small leaves, not too big.
my question is: can i just use my pool vaccum and vacuum to waste to get rid of these, or do i need to use some type of special vacuum or even rake them up from the bottom (which sounds like a pain and work I really don't want to do).
finally, should i wait until after i have removed all the leaves and vacuumed the remaining debris to waste to start adding chemicals, or should i add my chemicals first, let the pump run, and then start getting rid of all that gunk?

thanks!
i have used this board before and find all the advice so very helpful!

[Guest]

You can vacuum to waste as long as you watch the pump basket as that will fill with the leaves. If you have a lot of leaves you'll need to clean the pump basket whenever the suction starts to go down.

My pool is surrounded by trees so I get a lot of leaves. I use a leaf master that connects up to the garden hose. Works well for me.

we are just getting around to opening our pool this week. i know, i know! we are way late.
when we removed the cover, we did have quite a few leaves fall to the bottom of the pool. they are small leaves, not too big.
my question is: can i just use my pool vaccum and vacuum to waste to get rid of these, or do i need to use some type of special vacuum or even rake them up from the bottom (which sounds like a pain and work I really don't want to do).
finally, should i wait until after i have removed all the leaves and vacuumed the remaining debris to waste to start adding chemicals, or should i add my chemicals first, let the pump run, and then start getting rid of all that gunk?

thanks!
i have used this board before and find all the advice so very helpful!

[irishsph]

thanks!

[bambino]

I always vacuum as usual. If you vacuum to waste you are pumping your water out.

Regardless of how you run the pump and filter the leaves will collect in the pump pot so that's why I think setting the handle to waste is dumb.

Vacuum and clean the leaves from the pump. After you're done you can clean the filter