Shocking a Bromine pool - can I use chlorine shock

[Needzo]

When I bought my house the pool was set up with a bromine feeder and I inhereted a 50lb container of bromine so I continued to go with bromine. My cover fell in over the winter and I am having a lot trouble clearing the water. Non-chlorine shock is kind of pricey, can I use bleach in this pool for the purpose of start up and then continue with bromine and non chlorine shock for the rest of the season? Any info is greatly appreciated.

[CarlD]

No,you cannot alternate. However, you CAN do a conversion from Bromine to Bleach. It takes a LOT of bleach and your pool will look like a septic tank for a few days, then it will clear. Do a search within PoolForum on converting from bromine to chlorine for the steps you'll need to follow--and FOLLOW THEM!

If you have a sand filter you will need to replace the sand at the end of the process--since sand is about $5-$7/50lbs these days that's not much. If you have DE, you'll need to clean the filter and add fresh DE. If you have a cartridge filter, you'll have to clean the cartridge thoroughly--electric dishwasher detergent is supposed be good for that.

I suggest,if it's available, that you buy the 5 gallon carboys of 12% Liquid Chlorine that's twice as strong as 6% ultra bleach. It's far more convenient for the amount you'll need.

Once the conversion is done, you'll NEVER look back!

[Needzo]

I was under the impression that in order to make a complete changeover to chlorine that I would have to change all the water. Bromine being so expensive compared to chlorine, if I convert the exhisting water, that's the new plan. Thanks for the advise!

[CarlD]

OK,

I'm hoping I haven't messed you up here. Bacquacil conversions are what I was thinking of. I'm not as certain of Bromine conversions.

Let's get some of the others experts to comment, like Poolsean, Waste, Chem_Geek and, of course, Ben.

Carl

[Poconos]

Yep, Carl was thinking of BaquaGoo. Unfortunately I don't know anything about bromine but my limited chemistry knowlege thinks you can just switch because Br and Cl are close in the periodic table and don't involve any other chemicals. ChemGeek will see this and chime in I'm sure.
Al
Edit: Don't do anything until you hear something more certain. What I said above is what I intuitavely think May also be totally wrong.

[Needzo]

Thanks guys, I'll stand by before making any changes.........