Should I shock?

[Crimson]

I was on vacation for the past week or so and when I got back I noticed from green algae on my light and fixture. I put pucks in while I was gone and tested my FC about 2.0 when I got home. Probably a little low for my CYA of 45.

I brushed off the algae.. I tested with my kit and got 3.5 FC, 0 CC.. (I added some chlorine) Should I still shock because I saw algae?

 

[Bama Rambler]

Probably so, but do an overnite chlorine drop test to be sure. Here's how to do it. Pool School Overnite FC Test

You'll need a FAS-DPD test to do it. Hopefully you have one of the recommended kits.

 

[frustratedpoolmom]

I agree, an overnight test to be sure

make sure you are brushing those areas where you saw visible algae for the next several days, and it's a good idea to up your FC level a few ppm's and run the pump more often, you may be getting FC "dead spots".

 

[Butterfly]

You have gotten good advice

I, on the other hand, would shock my pool and not think twice about it

Then, I'd do the Overnight Test.

Sometimes I think it is easier to just shock it once, when you catch it early, rather than increase your FC level daily for a while. Your choice.

Since we have been doing BBB, any shock we have done has been a one-time event. :-D

We rarely shock our pool. Maybe once or twice a year, and the twice would be "just because".

 

[Crimson]

I brought my FC up to 15.5 last night, and it was 14 this morning. Still no CC though. I suspect the 1.5 drop was because I didn't test until 9am and there was some sun already hitting the pool. I'm guessing the overnight test has to be done early in the morning.

 

[duraleigh]

I, on the other hand, would shock my pool and not think twice about it

While it's already been done (good work), I want to emphasize how much I agree with Butterfly......if you have visible algae in your pool, it needs to be shocked regardless of any test results.