Hi, I havent shocked our pool all summer except doing it once after getting it installed....is that okay? I've kept the chemicals in check. the water has looked great all summer!!!

A few more things I wanted to make sure of:
this last week the pH is at 7.8 is that okay or do I need to lower it?

TA 70 (it's been this number all summer)

CH 110 (do I even need to check this since I have a vinyl pool?)

Thanks in advance

It's normal for most of us to not shock. Probably wouldn't hurt to nudge your pH a few tenths lower, but nothing critical. No worries about your CH either.

Sounds like you are doing great!

I'm in the same boat as you. When I bought my house there was a lapse from when the previous owner stopped his pool service and when I moved in. I had to shock for a bit. But since then, its been great and no need to shock.

pH, if were me, I'd nudge it down, shoot for 7.5, that way if over shoot, you'll be at like 7.3-7.4 if you under shoot your at 7.6-7.7. 7.8 is acceptable, but at the upper range. higher is too high.

TA, its great! Its in the recommended range. I wouldn't mess with it unless your having pH problems.

CH yea, for vinyl is not as important. Just keep it over 50 and under the max to prevent scaling.

thanks to both of you!!! One more question,

If I predissolve the dry acid in a bucket, can I add slowly to skimmer? that's how i add baking soda and borax.
And I'm assuming to add only 2/3 of what calculator says.

Never add acid to the skimmer. Pour it in front of a running return. If your sure of your size you can add the while amount the pool calc says to.

You should add it in front of a running return jet. You want that to dilute as quickly as possible, you don't want strong concentrations of acid to come in contact with anything.

which do you all recommend...the dry acid or the other?

Dry acid adds sulfur to your water over time. Muratic acid is prefered.