Quote Originally Posted by Jakebear View Post
Thanks to all for your opinions, BUT......
What about the dead worms that have been removed throughout the winter and how about the bird poop that ends up on the mesh cover and then it rains and migrates into the pool????

Seems like this isn't much different than having a "solid" accident from a child which most of you have stated in the past-----"SHOCK, SHOCK, SHOCK, Better safe than sorry". "Kill the bacteria"!! Somehow I fail to see the difference.
Jake, while I don't think it's neseccary to shock without a CC level - if adding a couple of gals. of bleach will allow you to sleep better or keep you from being 'distracted' at work, shock the pool! As long as you don't have CC from the worms and other 'ick' that may have entered the water over the winter, you've sustained enough FC to deal with it (remember that the 'ick' doesn't 'spread/ grow' as well in low temps and that CL does a better job at lower temps). However, if for 'peace of mind' you want to spend $5, it's not going to hurt anything and you can start enjoying the pool without those nagging thoughts...