When Free Chlorine Levels Drop Below 3 Ppm
Let’s first talk about the differences between free chlorine, combined chlorine, and total chlorine.
- Free chlorine: The chlorine that’s actively cleaning your pool, “free” to do its job. Be sure to use cyanuric acid to stabilize the free chlorine.
- Combined chlorine: This is the chlorine that while technically still in your pool, is mostly “used up” and not able to clean your pool. High levels of combined chlorine mean there is less free available chlorine to do its job.
- Total chlorine: This is simply the sum of free chlorine + combined chlorine.
Generally, the goal is to raise your free chlorine to about 10x the level of the combined chlorine .
Most pool test strips won’t be able to measure combined chlorine and total chlorine, so you’ll have to use a pool test kit to do this job.
When your free chlorine levels drops below 3 ppm, it’s time to shock your pool.
How Do I Make My Pool Water Crystal Clear
How to Make Your Pool Crystal Clear Again
How Do You Use Hth Shock Treatment
4.1/5Shock treatHTHHTH Shock
Similarly, you may ask, is HTH shock good?
The hth Super BenefitThis is an effective shock product that kills bacteria and algae and restores crystal clarity to pool water within 24 hours, reduces chlorine odor and eye irritation caused by swimming pool water and won’t fade liners. It is convenient, easy to use, and won’t over-stabilize your pool.
Also Know, how soon can you swim after HTH shock treatment? It is recommended to wait at least 20 minutes to an hour after adding water balancing chemicals. You should wait 2-4 hours to swim from the moment you use calcium chloride in your pool. It is safe to swim once your chlorine levels are around 5 ppm or after 24 hours.
Accordingly, how much chlorine do you use for shock treatment?
For chloramine removal, shock the pool to reach a Free Chlorine level that is 10 to 20 times the amount of measured chloramines. For algae removal, 30 ppm is a generally accepted target, but you may use more or less, depending on the severity of the algae bloom.
Can you shock a pool too much?
If you put too much shock in the pool, simply wait it out. If you have a cover on your pool, take it off. The more sun that hits your water, the faster it will dissipate. Technically, if your free chlorine levels are holding up swimming UP TO your shock level, depending on your CYA, is safe.
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Will Baking Soda Clear Up Cloudy Pool
Baking soda can increase the pH level which can turn the water cloudy. There are some people who will suggest you use the baking soda for a quick fix in case the alkalinity is high. But baking soda is not a reliable pool water cleaning chemical. Chlorine is the most effective substance for clearing the cloudy pool.31 2019 .
Why You Need To Shock Your Pool
Whether you’re a brand new pool owner or a veteran, you need to be familiar with the process of shocking your pool.
Certain living organisms can still survive in your pool with its normal chlorine amounts. Others can become completely immune to it.
There are basically three reasons to shock your pool:
- 1
- Heavy rain can dilute your pool, leaving you with very low chlorine levels
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Can Algaecide Combat Other Problems In Your Small Pool
Most pool experts wish that algaecides will be able to solve other major problems in the pool both seen and unseen. But the truth remains that, algaecides are made specifically to prevent and tackle algae in your pool.
However, they may alter your pools pH when it is added to the pool. Since algaecides help prevent algae, then you should try to always add some algaecide to your pool every week. This will help to discourage any algae breed in your pool.
How Long After Shocking A Pool Can You Swim
After being shocked, your pool will temporarily have high levels of free chlorine . Swimming in highly chlorinated water can cause skin irritation and other harmful effects. The CDC recommends that pool owners maintain free chlorine levelsbetween 1-3 parts per million for safe swimming.
Depending on the treatment you used, it may take anywhere from an hour to 24 hours for your swimming pools FC levels to return to a safe range.
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How Much Liquid Chlorine Needed For A 15000
As stated earlier, all that matters is calculating the pools size to determine the amount of gallon of water the pool can contain.
The amount of liquid chlorine needed for the 15000-gallon pool will fall in between the amount of liquid chlorine required for the 10000-gallon pool and the amount necessary for the 20000-gallon pool.
Averagely, any standard round ring pool is ideally 5 feet wide and 48 inches in its height. Such a round ring pool will conveniently contain about 4,978 gallons of water. However, an in-ground pool should carry above 31,000 gallons of water.
To calculate the number of gallons a swimming pool has, we need to measure and multiply the breadth, length, and average depth and multiply the resultant value by 7.5 for a rectangular pool, 6.7 for an oval 5.9 for around the pool.
Note that it is proper for you to apply liquid chlorine for a 15000-gallon pool when the pool water temperature is raised because organisms and bacteria could easily thrive in warm water.
You can also keep your 15-000 gallon pool at a relaxed level of between 86 to 88 °F. However, if there are a couple of swimmers, the temperature level can be reduced to a range of 78 to 84 °F. If you need to measure the pool temperature, there is a pool thermometer for you to do that.
The liquid chlorine can also be applied when the free chlorine Level Goes Below 3 ppm. If you realize that the free chlorine level is less than 3 ppm, then the time is right to shock your pool.
What Is Pool Shock
The process of shocking your pool is simply super-chlorinating it in order to kill the buildup of chloramines and anything else floating around that doesnt belong.
What are chloramines, you ask?
Chloramines, or combined chlorine, are what get into your pool when chlorine disinfectants combine with the sweat, oils and urine from the people swimming in your pool.
So when you shock your pool, you’re adding enough chlorine to destroy the chloramines.
Make sense?
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How Much Liquid Chlorine Needed For 10000
It is generally recommended for any pool owner of a 10000-gallon pool to use a single pound of calcium hypo for its shocking. Also, sodium hypo of 10 ounces alongside approximately 12.5% chlorine is required to sanitize your pool.
While observing and executing all these, ensure the pool water is at its standard temperate level. Also, ensure the pools pH falls between 7.2 and 7.6 while maintaining its alkalinity between 80 and 120 ppm.
The maintenance level is not the same for a 10000-gallon pool, whether a chlorine-based pool or a saltwater pool. The chlorine-based pool requires more maintenance than the saltwater ones.
Generally, whether for a 10000-gallon pool or whatever category of the pool, the saltwater pool does not need much treatment. The exception to this is an influx of algae or the contamination of the saltwater pool by soil, oil, or other liquid contaminants.
The reason for this is not far-fetched. Saltwater pools use chlorine generators to produce a chlorine compound, which is almost like the chlorine present in shock treatments.
Meanwhile, the best usage option regarding the saltwater pool system is the Sodium Hypochlorite liquid chlorine, as it helps to enhance chlorine levels in the pool water. You can use it in treating your hot tubs and spas as well.
Once used in a hot tub or swimming pool, it is instantaneously ready to erase viruses, bacteria, algae, and any other microorganisms present within the water due to its quick and rapid action.
Check Your Pool Chemistry
After youve waited the recommended number of hours, you still need to test your pools chlorine levels before letting anyone swim.
Make sure the levels have returned to normal before you allow anyone in.
Note that low pH levels are important here: if your pH level is over 8.0, your pool shock is basically useless. Shoot for a pH level of around 7.2 if you need to lower it.
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What Is The Best Time Of Day To Shock A Swimming Pool
Shock your pool late in the evening or at night, when the sun is down, to make sure free chlorine will stay in your water longer. Ultraviolet rays from direct sunlight greatly reduces free chlorine levels, so shocking during the day will not be very effective.
If you absolutely must do it during daytime, use a chlorine stabilizer, such as cyanuric acid, to prolong the life the chlorine.
Treating Your Hot Tub With Bromine
Bromine has the same disinfection qualities as chlorine. But its advantage over chlorine is that it is stable: insensitive to high temperatures, UV and pH variations.
In addition, bromine has less odour than chlorine and does not produce any by-products . Bromine is therefore very suitable for hot tub treatment. It should be noted that it is a little more expensive than chlorine.
NB: The bromine treatment can be completed with active oxygen which is a bromine activator. It regenerates the bromine consumed.
Chlorine-based products cannot be combined with bromine treatment . For a shock treatment , hydrogen peroxide is used.
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How Much Shock Do I Need
A good rule to remember is to use one bag of shock per 10,000 gallons.
Where To Buy Liquid Chlorine For Swimming Pool
Across the United States, you can purchase the liquid chlorine on Walmart and SamsClub. Other locations to look out for this product within the US include Alabama, Alaska, and Arizona.
You can also check for a local HASA dealer into the general sales of bulk liquid chlorine, even at a reasonable price. Some other locations are Arkansas, California, and Connecticut.
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The Clorox Pool & Spa Xtrablue Algaecide
This algaecide is another perfect Clorox brand. Just in case you cannot lay your hands on the other Clorox algaecide, you can always lay your hands on this xtraBlue algaecide.
It is super great for black algae although it is designed to work will any kind of algae, and to remove any tough algae stain. This xtraBlue algaecide works wonders for transforming your pool from swampy cloudy green into crystal, clear blue water!
When The Pool Is Used Heavily Or Frequently
Chlorine levels reduce more quickly when many swimmers use a pool on a consistent basis. You should measure levels of free chlorine and chloramine after heavy swimming, especially in commercial or public pools, and shock the pool as required.
To find out what amount of free chlorine or any other chemical to add to a pool, I use this pool calculator to help me find the correct amount of chlorine to add. All you have to do is enter your chemical and pH readings.
Controlling the chlorine levels in saltwater pools is easier. All you need to do is raise the saltwater chlorine generator to boost free chlorine prior to and after heavy usage.
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A Guide To Pool Shock
Nick Rancis
Pool shock is a great tool for keeping your pools chemistry balanced, and it is the best way to eliminate algae and return you water to pristine condition. When done at a regular frequency during the summer and high bather load months it is also a helpful and proactive way to retain a minimal level of chemical exposure to you, your family and, if you are a commercial facility, your staff and patrons.
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Shock Your Pool For Crystal Clear Water In 24 Hours
Boost ChlorineChlorine sanitizes your pool to remove bacteria and other hazardous contaminants to keep water clean. Use HTH Super Shock! Treatment to restore chlorine levels that have been depleted by the sun, rain and heavy use. |
Kill Bacteria & AlgaeLow chlorine levels, poor water circulation and warm weather can encourage bacteria and algae growth. Rid your pool of black algae, mustard algae and green algae and prevent regrowth by shocking your pool once a week. Donât forget to brush the floor and walls of the pool. |
Keep Water ClearThe fast-dissolving formula found in HTH shock treatments acts quickly to restore clarity to your water so you can be back in the swimming pool within 24 hours. Plus, the treatment wonât overstabilize your pool or fade your liners. |
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Pool Essentials 4 In 1 Shock Treatment
Specifications
If youre lucky enough to have a super sunny pool, this trichlor pool shock by Pool Essentials is the one for you. You likely need to add a pool conditioner to your sun-soaked pool regularly to prevent the chlorine from evaporating too quickly in all that UV light. This stabilizer essentially acts as a sunscreen for your chlorine. Instead of remembering to add this separately, do it all in one. Use this pool shock about once a week to keep your water clean and clear.
This shock is also fantastic if you have problems with calcium hardness. As the active ingredient is sodium trichloro-s-triazinetrione instead of calcium hypochlorite, it doesnt increase calcium levels in the water and you avoid scaling, prolonging the life of your pool equipment. Using calcium hypochlorite-based shock in a small pool can be especially problematic as the calcium is less diluted and can build up.
This option might work for you if your pool is indoors or shady too, but be sure to test your pool water before you shock. If the cyanuric acid level is high, adding this shock with cyanuric acid mixed in is not a good idea. You can throw the PH balance off which can irritate skin and corrode pool equipment. In this case, better to use our top pick above instead.
Overall, this is the best pick for a swimming pool that gets a lot of sunshine. It is affordable, easy to use, and super convenient with a pool conditioner built-in.
Clorox Pool & Spa Shock Plus
Easiest to Use
This Clorox 4-in-1 powder formula of pool shock can be poured right into your pool from the bottle on a weekly basis.
The powder not only works to clear up your pool water by killing bacteria, but it also can help improve filter performance. The product dissolves quickly in the water, making your pool safe to swim in within about 30 minutes of the application.
You can also use this product with the Clorox mobile app. The app allows you to check daily water sample results and chemical needs for your pool, so you know exactly how much shock to add.
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Is Algaecide Safe For Your 1000 Gallon Pool
Algaecides are generally safe chemicals. They are actually unsafe for any algae present in your pool. However, algaecide becomes unsafe when it is poured too much into your pool. Your pool becomes foamy. And no one would like to swim in foamy water.
No swimmer would like to swim in a pool that stings their eyes. So yes, algaecide is safe for your 1000 gallon pool but it all depends on how you use them in your pool. If they are rightly used, then be rest assured that your pool is safe!
In The Swim Super Algaecide
This algaecide is another affordable, yet super-effective algaecide in the pool market. It is also another game-changer for your pool because the brand manufacturers are fantastic makers of excellent products like pool covers, and amazing chlorine tablets.
So you can rely 100% on this algaecide to get rid of the stubborn algae in your pool. Although this brands algaecide is concentrated it is suitable for any kind of pool both the in-ground and the above-ground swimming pool type.
So if you want to get rid of that swampy green mess in your swimming pool, then you can rely on this goal-getter algaecide to perform the function well!
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How Often Should I Shock My Pool
How often you should shock your pool depends on how often the pool is used and how much exposure your pool is getting to sunlight. For general maintenance and upkeep, everyday to weekly shocking is ideal depending on the reading of free chlorine that should always be 3 ppm.
If you have lots of people swimming on a daily basis, you should test free chlorine and shock as required every single day and at least weekly when the pool is not very busy.
