When to shock?

[jp4120]

Following the bbb method for 6 weeks, everything in target ranges and and pool looks great

Questions
I keep FC between 1.0 and 4/5.0, is there ever a need to shock or not really ?

I have left over Leslie's phos free pool perfect and fresh n clear from last year, should I use or toss?


Thx

 

[Richard320]

Your FC level depends on your CYA level, so there's no way of knowing with the info you gave us if you have enough FC. If you let it slip below the threshold, and get algae, then you will need to perform the shock process. Which is not a one-time dose.Pool Schoolshould explain things for you.

Many of us never shock our pools. We keep the chemicals balanced and algae never starts.

Phosfree is just a profit generator for Leslies. It won't hurt anything if you use it up, but you shouldn't need it. Consider phosphates to be wood, and algae to be flame. If you remove the wood, the flame has nothing to burn. If you have no flame, who cares how much wood there is?

The fresh n clear is monopersulfate. I've never used it, never seen it recommended here, so I have no idea if it has any value.

 

[duraleigh]

If your FC goes down to 1.0, that is too low.

The mps is a non-chlorine oxidizer and you could keep it around if you like...I don't know about it's shelf life.

 

[jp4120]

my cya is about 45 - FC is usually 2.0 to 4.0 --- once in a while it falls to 1.0 - but not for more than a day.

 

[woodyp]

With that CYa level----you should never let your FC fall below a minimum of 3 to 4. See the CYA/clorine chart in pool school.

 

[jp4120]

makes sense, thanks for the reminder.
should I shock since its been a bit lower? or no need if I don't see algae and my CC has been 0?

 

[duraleigh]

Perform the OCLT. If you pass, then there is no need to shock. It's in Pool School

 

[jp4120]

ok, will try that.

have a question about backwashing a DE filter.
usually backwash when pressure rises 10 lbs but hasn't risen since right after opening.
still cycling water fine, pool is very clear.

should I backwash just to change out the DE or is that not necessary? (wondering if my pressure gauge is malfunctioning) it did rise when I first opened, so I backwashed once this year in mid May.

 

[duraleigh]

I would suggest a backwash @ a 25% increase over clean psi....No reason to backwash if you haven't reached that.