Quote Originally Posted by cleancloths
Why convert? Why not use both!

I have found that using both is the easiest way to maintain the pool. Trichlor adss chlorine, CYA and lowers the pH. Bleach adds chlorine, and raises the pH. If you use both you tend not to have any need to adjust pH as they tend to balance each other out. If pH starts dropping use more bleach, if pH starts going up use more trichlor.
This makes a lot of sense. I just drained and refilled our pool and used bleach to get the chlorine up right away, and now using the tablets in the chlorinator for maintenance level. I plan on using the bleach for fast needs, like after a pool party and a backwash, and the chlorinator, well, to be lazy the other time.