Another new pool owner and BBB convert

[Watermom]

Sounds like you have been doing your homework and doing a lot of reading! Great decision to order the kit. I hope you get it soon.

How often to shock a pool? Many pool stores will tell you that you have to shock weekly but that is not true. To be honest, I seldom shock my pool, It isn't necessary as a matter of routine. Basically, you only need to shock the pool if:

-- you let your chlorine level drop lower than the minimum level required based on your CYA level per the Best Guess Chart
-- if you have a CC reading greater than 0.5
-- if you have cloudy water which may indicate an impending algae bloom
-- maybe if you have an extremely high swimmer load (like after a party)

Sometimes, if have a lot of debris in my pool from a big storm (that we often get around here), then I might shock the pool.

Regarding dosing with bleach, in a 20K pool, each quart of 8.25% bleach will add 1 ppm of chlorine. There is a bleach calculator that you might find helpful. It is in the Forum Q & A section. I think it is the third thread from the top if I am remembering correctly.

Let us know if you have more questions. Don't forget to read on our sister website www.poolsolutions.com as well. Lots of good info there, too.

Welcome to the Pool Forum!

[PoolDoc]

On outdoor pools, 'shocking' is usually not needed *if* you
(a) you maintain Best Guess chlorine levels,
(b) expose the pool to sunlight regularly (chlorine + solar UV break down contaminants chlorine alone has a problem with) and
(c) are not having a problem with algae or whatever.

Membership updated.

[ccs717]

Thanks Watermom & PoolDoc! I have read all(?) the material over at the Pool Solutions site. Again, great info!

One other question for now: The vinyl liner, right above the water line, is rather dark gray and dingy. Using a brush or plain sponge on it has no effect. Is there a best practice for how to clean that? Any such thing as a "pool water safe" cleaner? Or do I just leave it alone?

[PoolDoc]

You can use baking soda on a sponge; that works well for removing some forms of black water line grunge. But sometimes, the 'stain' is actually deterioration of the liner, which can't really be 'removed'.