I wasn't as clear as I should have been...You shock the first time JUST to make sure everything is metabolized in your pool...if it's clean and you've been consistent about maintaining it by BBB, then it's not necessary.

The Polyquat will make your FC plummet. But that's OK as long as you expect it and don't let it lag.

The second shock prior to closing is to make sure it's squeaky clean--you don't have to close immediately (I am waiting for my water to reach 60 degrees) but you'll want to keep the FC up there so it's at that 12-15 range when you do actually close.

That's how I do it and it works for me.

All that crud Biogard sells is for the express purpose of moving your money to them--and setting you up so you'll need to spend even MORE money. My only closing chemicals are PolyQuat and chlorine.