4 Questions about adding Chlorine

Hi all.

Spring wouldn't be the same without my annual post to poolforum. I began using Ben's bleach method about 4 years ago when my CYA was off the charts and I had to run the pool at about 15ppm to keep it clear. In that time, I haven't had a single problem. I'm a bleach convert. With that said I have some new developments and a couple questions.

1) After 4 years, I have finally depleted my CYA (It started at something like 150 and it is now at ZERO). Is it best to go get some new TriChlor sticks to reintroduce CYA, or should I by it in granular form?
2) What CYA number should I be shooting for?
3) We have an auto-cover. After Ben's testing kit meltdown (read the latest "Read Me" and am thrilled to hear he is trying to get back on top of things) I bought a comprehensive Taylor kit. I read the included Water Balance book cover to cover and learned a few things. The main questions I have is: can I add chlorine and immediately shut the auto cover to conserve chlorine, or -- as the pool people told me 8 years ago -- does it need to "breath" to burn off contaminants?
4) Since using bleach, I have never shocked the pool. Seriously. It is always sparkly clean and balanced. After reading the Taylor book, it sounds like I SHOULD be shocking. Yes or no.

Once again, thanks for everything Ben and "Super-Mods." I seriously don't know where I would be without you. But I can guess: In debt.
:)

Jennie

Hi, Jennie. Good to see you back this spring.

To answer your questions:

1. You can do either. One way is not better than the other. Just preference.

2. Somewhere between 40 is what I like for cya in my pool.

3. If you shock the pool, you don't want to cover it totally. Need to leave it partially open to vent the fumes. But, for everyday maintenance doses of chlorine, it is probably fine. Is it an all or nothing thing - either totally open or totally closed -- or can you leave it open a little for awhile after adding it? If you can do that, you might leave it open for an hour or so.

4. If you are diligent about keeping your chlorine levels where they need to be and never let it get too low, you really don't have to shock the pool. I rarely shock mine. The only time I might is after I have had a whole bunch of kids in it or if we have a storm that dumps a lot of debris and dirt into the pool. I probably don't shock it more than once a month and maybe not even that often.

Hope this helps!

yes. it helps a ton. Thanks for speedy reply! Have a happy holiday weekend!