New Pool owner-help!

[MBeardsley]

Janet- The active ingredient for the shock is Lithium chlorite and potassium chlorite. We are to add two 1 pound bags of each every 2 weeks. Then if needed we are to add Pure N Blue clear which its active ingredient in copper ions. This is supposed to introduce copper into the water to control algae and bacteria. It sounds like a lot to me- but then what do I know. My concern is that the shock is not true chlorine and will not be as effective as bleach. Have you heard of this product? The only place I have found it online is the pool store's website we bought the pool from. Thanks for any advice you may have for me! Michelle

[Pamsel]

Michelle,

I am no expert compared to the others here, but I know they all say to stay away from copper algaecides. I think you can switch over to the BBB system even if you started with the other products and it sure will cost you a lot less.

I know some of the others here will give you good help.

[ChuckD]

Janet- The active ingredient for the shock is Lithium chlorite and potassium chlorite. We are to add two 1 pound bags of each every 2 weeks. Then if needed we are to add Pure N Blue clear which its active ingredient in copper ions. This is supposed to introduce copper into the water to control algae and bacteria. It sounds like a lot to me- but then what do I know. My concern is that the shock is not true chlorine and will not be as effective as bleach. Have you heard of this product? The only place I have found it online is the pool store's website we bought the pool from. Thanks for any advice you may have for me! Michelle

Michelle, the active ingredient in Clorox is sodium hypochlorite. Without getting into a chemistry discussion and the public display of me falling on my face, chlorite is chlorite. The question is, what's cheaper and what provides more profit for the pool industry. For most of us here the bigger interest is the former. Personally I've found a source of higher potency chlorine at my neighborhood pool store that works out to be even cheaper than Clorox, but for most, unscented Clorox is the way to go.

And what Pamsel said about the copper.

ChuckD