Not knocking the glass frame idea—definitely clever—but I’ve always been a little wary of any setup that’s heavy or awkward to move. I get that it keeps the gunk down, but for me, the hassle of shifting a big glass panel just isn’t worth it. Plus, I’ve seen what happens when someone drops one of those old shower doors... not pretty.
If you’re worried about algae and smells, I’ve had good luck with just using black poly tubing coiled up on a pallet and covered with a cheap clear tarp. It’s not as efficient at holding heat as glass, but it’s way lighter, and you can just roll it up if you need to move it. For cleaning, I run a bit of hydrogen peroxide through every month or so—no bleach, no vinegar smell, and it seems to keep things from getting slimy.
I guess it comes down to how much you want to tinker versus how much you want to lift. I’d rather swap out a $20 coil than risk my back or a trip to urgent care.
That’s a good point about the weight—glass panels always make me nervous, too. I’ve seen one shatter in a garage and it was a nightmare to clean up. The poly tubing idea sounds way more practical, especially if you’re moving stuff around or just want to experiment. Have you noticed much difference in water temp compared to glass? I’m curious if the tarp makes up for the lower insulation or if it’s just “warm enough.” Also, does the hydrogen peroxide ever mess with the tubing over time? Just wondering if it makes the plastic brittle or anything.