To Shock ----- or NOT

[Jakebear]

Argument settling time for all the GURUs.

MSO (My Significant Other) says there is no reason to shock this spring.

He has been throwing the Aquabot in all winter (closed in October) and kept the pool clean and the FC has never dropped below 3.5 all winter. The Water Temp is still 48 and we will not start filtering and circulating for another week or 2.

BBB method.

Current numbers are (all results by my K-2006 kit and warmed to 70 deg F):

pH 7.4
FCl 3.8
CCl 0.0
CYA ~30
TA 70
CH 140
NO ALGAE
Water Clear (but not sparkling)
Loop Lok Cover (mesh) still in place.

Please Help ---- Hope to hear from all with different perspective on the issue.

[cleancloths]

I agree with him! The only reason to shock is if you have combined chlorine. You free chlorine looks good with no combined chlorine. You might want to throw in some baking soda to raise the TA and make the water sparkle more.

[nater]

Typical reasons for shocking:
Algae
CC over 0.5
Dead animal
Pool Party, especially with kids (or inebriated adults)

From the looks of your numbers, you probably don't need to shock. If you're not currently filtering/circulating the water, I wouldn't expect "crystal" clear at this point. Sounds like you'll be ready to swim as soon as it warms up!

[ivyleager]

Ditto. Last season, I only shocked twice...once after Memorial Day party with 25 guests (7 kids) and figured at least one peed in the pool. The other time was late season before closing. That's it. No need to shock if numbers are good.

CaryB

[chem geek]

I agree with everyone else. No need to shock. I didn't need to shock at all last year and maintained the water through the winter and will not shock to open this year as well. As long as CC <= 0.2, there's certainly no need to shock.

The main reason to shock after a large pool party or when children are present isn't just in case CCs develop, but in case there is any sort of accident that might introduce more bacteria or overwhelming amounts of ammonia or other material into the pool. Even with a measurable CC, time and sunlight will likely break it down so shocking is mostly for expediency and extra safety after heavy bather load.

Richard

[CarlD]

Ditto.
Shocking is a solution to a problem. If the problem doesn't exist, there's no need to shock. I personally shock in the Spring because I leave my pool untouched from mid-October to mid-April and all the Chlorine is gone...But I have a REASON to shock.

If your chems are balanced and maintained there is no reason to shock just to shock.

[Jakebear]

Thanks to all for your opinions, BUT......
What about the dead worms that have been removed throughout the winter and how about the bird poop that ends up on the mesh cover and then it rains and migrates into the pool????

Seems like this isn't much different than having a "solid" accident from a child which most of you have stated in the past-----"SHOCK, SHOCK, SHOCK, Better safe than sorry". "Kill the bacteria"!! Somehow I fail to see the difference.

[cleancloths]

Just vaccum them out, if they are not showing up in the chemistry then you are fine.

[chem geek]

I don't think you mentioned any of these additional items (worms, bird poop) in your original post so that may have influenced our responses. With all of that junk, yes shocking would be playing it safe, though if the CCs were near zero and with extended exposure of chlorine over a long period of time, the risk is low. I'm certainly not going to get in the middle of a domestic squabble!

Richard

[Watermom]

If it were my pool, I'd probably go ahead and shock. It certainly won't hurt and having peace of mind is a good thing. I'm not much into dead worms and bird poop. Yuck!