Which Pool Chemicals Should I Use?

We use non chlorine product called Pristine Blue. We do "shock" with chlorine once a week though. Love this product!

I don't know - we use chlorine. Bleach and chlorine are the same thing.

Does the pool already have a filter system or is that what you're trying to figure out? If it already has a system in place, then the easiest thing to do is just continue to use whatever is there. If you are installing a filtering system from scratch, then your local pool store will be able to go over different options regarding costs (equipment and ongoing), ease of use, etc.

FWIW we have a filter that uses DE (diatomaceous earth) and we use chlorine, which is the same thing as bleach. Our pool is 20,000 gallons - it costs us about $200 in chemicals at the start of the season and then we probably spend another $20 per week on average adding algaecide and shock treatments once a week. If a pool is properly balanced, you shouldn't notice a strong chlorine smell nor should you have issues with chlorine causing eye and throat irritation, etc. which sometimes happens in public pools because they have to bomb the thing with chlorine because of the high amount of swimmers. But in a home pool, chlorine is not irritating unless someone in sensitive to bleach in general.

I think even salt pools use some chlorine but not as much of it.
Chlorine (just another name for bleach) evaporates and it breaks down to water and salt.
Your local pool store should be able to help you.

I would stop by your local pool store (we find the non- chain stores to be the most help and most informed staff. We like Klapprodts here in Keller). They could probably help you. I think that you have to use whatever your pool system is set up for, for it to work properly. Our pool is a salt water pool, but we have a special salt generator (it separates the salt and puts the chlorine back into your pool). Having your water checked may also help the pool store help you decide what the best coarse of action should be. Checking the water, they can help guide you on how much conditioner and acid is needed as well.

We use Baquacil and have for the bast 8 yrs. Love it. Dosn't bleach out swim suits, kids can open their eyes under water without burning, colored hair dosn't turn funky colors. Your skin isn't dry when you swim for long periods of time. My older daughter has very sensitive skin she's never had a problem with the Baquacil, however when she goes in a pool with chlorine she usually ends up with a rash.

We just got a Saltwater system for our above ground pool and LOVE it! So upset we didn't think of getting it two years ago when we first got the pool. We spent so much money on chlorine and shock...not anymore though! The system will pay for itself in about a month because of the money we're saving not having to buy chlorine. The water leaves your skin soft and smooth, doesn't hurt your eyes or fade bathing suits!

I highly recommend this site for pool care basics - they also have a question and answer forum: http://www.troublefreepool.com/pool-school/
Why do you not want to use chlorine? It's the best overall sanitizer available. Even the salt water systems are a form of chlorination because they produce chlorine from salt. Details on chlorination here http://www.troublefreepool.com/pool-school/types_chlorine...

Edited to add - the folks on the trouble free pool forum have helpful info that you don't always find in pool stores - it was through TFP that we learned how the cyanuric acid stabilizer in the chlorine "pucks" (and some forms of powdered pool shock) accumulates in the water over time and can diminish the effectiveness of your chlorine - so you end up needing a higher overall concentration of chlorine or you end up with algae even though your test kit shows what *should* be an adequate level of chlorine.