Make sure I got this right...

[steveinaz]

If I'm running a SWG, it's best to use bleach to shock (if necessary) to save wear & tear on the SGW's plates, correct?

[aylad]

Yes, my understanding is that cell life is rated in hours of usage and will be "used up" faster if it is used for shocking. Bleach does just as well and saves the extra wear and tear.
Janet

[steveinaz]

Thanks Janet.

[dep78737]

Plus you get immediate results, which is usually important if you have something bad in your pool that is causing the need for shocking. Cal-hypo works too, just costs a little more and adds calcium. I have a SWG and keep a couple of bags on hand just in case.

[steveinaz]

Thats what I thought, it seems shocking is a little "over sold" and probably overdone by most--at least thats the general feeling I get. A friend of mine has a standard pool, and he says that the only time he shocks is when algae starts to form, and his pool always seems very well maintained/comfortable to swim in.

[Simmons99]

You really only need to shock when your combined chlorine is over .5ppm.

[steveinaz]

Thanks, nice pool, I checked out your pics.