Do I need to regularly add bromide to my spa to keep the reserve up, or just shock it?

[Esand323]

I've read the guide (How do I use Bromine in my spa (or pool)?) but have a few questions. I want to switch from chlorine to bromine and specifically, and would like to use the "two step" method (no floater).

1. Do I need to regularly add bromide? Pool store says yes, that the bromide bank/reserve will decrease over time. But from what I'm reading, you shouldn't need to and to only shock on a regular basis.
2. How do I know how much "bromide reserve" I have? I have a TF-100 which includes the comparator block and R-0600. My understanding is that this will only show the bromine levels. So when this gets low, I need shock the spa. But I don't believe anything tells me about the reserve. So if the pool store is correct, in that the reserve will deplete, then I'm not sure how to know how much I ever have.
3. A lot of stuff I've read says to not mix chlorine and bromide. However, in the guide, it specifically says that you can use chlorine. So once I add my bromide, I can shock with just normal liquid chlorine? I guess I'm confused why there is such differing opinions on this. From, "it's fine," to "no, you'll create a deadly gas."

Thanks

 

[kimkats]

Please notice the age of that thread. We really don't use much of anything else other than liquid chlorine now.