bleach vs. chlorine

[PopcornGirl]

Ok, now I'm intrigued... I'm wondering if I should switch to bleach instead of chlorine granules?
If I do, can someone give me the run-down (or point me to an article/instruction manual) of how to switch?
What all is involved in becoming a "bleach pool?"
Right now, I use 1-2 pounds of granular shock once per week (3 hours after adding acid as needed to correct my pH).
During the week, I have a floater with 3-4 chlorine 3" tablets.
My water is clear and I don't really have an algae problem (just stains -- see the thread on metal stains...).
I must say, the bleach method sounds pretty simple (and cheaper!) and we can recycle empty bleach bottles here in Baton Rouge so that wouldn't be a problem...
but I would want to RESEARCH THIS thoroughly and find out EXACTLY what I need to do before attempting to switch. I don't want any surprises!
Thanks in advance,

[CarlD]

Ok, now I'm intrigued... I'm wondering if I should switch to bleach instead of chlorine granules?
If I do, can someone give me the run-down (or point me to an article/instruction manual) of how to switch?
What all is involved in becoming a "bleach pool?"
Right now, I use 1-2 pounds of granular shock once per week (3 hours after adding acid as needed to correct my pH).
During the week, I have a floater with 3-4 chlorine 3" tablets.
My water is clear and I don't really have an algae problem (just stains -- see the thread on metal stains...).
I must say, the bleach method sounds pretty simple (and cheaper!) and we can recycle empty bleach bottles here in Baton Rouge so that wouldn't be a problem...
but I would want to RESEARCH THIS thoroughly and find out EXACTLY what I need to do before attempting to switch. I don't want any surprises!
Thanks in advance,

You are gonna LOVE the answer--NUTHIN'!
That's right! Nothing. Just stop using the crystals and the floaters and just test your water and add bleach when you need chlorine. Remember: You aren't switching from chlorine to bleach, you are merely switching to another form of chlorination.

But what you should do (and has nothing to do with bleach or tablets) is do a full sample test of your water and post it:
FC (Free Chlorine)
CC (Combined Chloramines)
TC (Total Chlorine=FC + CC)
pH
TA (Total Alkalinity)
CYA (Cyanuric acid, also called Stabilizer or Conditioner)
and
Ca (Calcium or Calcium Hardness).
Volume of your pool
Is it vinyl, fiberglass, or concrete/tile/gunite? (this matters).

You can also have your pool store check for metals, particularly copper.

I suspect your tablets are HTH brand "Dual Acting" which put unnecessary copper in your water (and give green staining and green blonde hair). It's terrible stuff (in my opinion) and I will never use it. I only use tri-chlor tabs under very particular conditions and only for a short time, but mostly just use bleach. Plus I will NEVER use tablets or anything containing copper.

You can start using bleach tonight, even with floaters (but don't pour it on or near them). If you put the powdered chlorine (Di-Chlor) in the skimmer, do NOT pour the bleach in there. If you don't put anything in the skimmer, you can pour the bleach there.

You are making it far more complicated than it is. Just add bleach when you need chlorine, instead of powders or tablets. That's really all there is to it. No preparation is needed.

The pool stores and pool chemical industry is determined to convince you that it's complicated and that you need lots of expensive chemicals. You don't. But if you know that, they make a lot less money.

Go to PoolSolutions.com and read the tips there. And believe them.