Pool Shock: Shocking For Algae Removal
Welcome back to school, students! Summer is the perfect time to discuss algae and how to remove it by shocking the pool with Calcium Hypochlorite Ca2.
Chlorine is a Great Algaecide, I like to say. Faster kill rates and a more complete reaction than using algaecide or other oxidizers.
Cal Hypo is the perfect chlorine type to use to eradicate algae blooms powerful and economical.
Our discussion will focus on how much pool shock to use for complete algae removal, plus other tips on effective pool shocking.
Using Sodium Hypochlorite In Your Pool
Sodium hypochlorite liquid chlorine is the best option to use in a saltwater pool system, especially when you need to boost law chlorine levels in your water. Use it in the treatment of water in swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs. When introduced into a swimming pool or hot tub, it is immediately available to destroy algae, bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms due to its fast action.
To use Sodium Hypochlorite liquid chlorine effectively, measure the right amount for your pool and pour it evenly around.
Note that not all liquid chlorines come with sodium hypochlorite as the main ingredient, as some are made of calcium hypochlorite. You should take keen interest to know ingredients any liquid chlorine is made of.
For instance, Chlorox and In The Swim liquid chlorine are made of high percentage calcium hypochlorite, and you should not use them for regular chlorination, as this will raise calcium hardness, but can only be used when fighting green, black, and yellow algae in your pool.
How Much Bleach To Add To A Pool
Anyone whos ever bathed in a poorly-maintained pool will tell you that an unsanitary pool is a serious threat to your health. Thats why most new pool owners tend to delve deep into their pool maintenance research. One of the more difficult issues to discuss is the topic of adding bleach to a pool in order to keep it sanitary. So, how much is enoughand how much is too much?
You need to add enough bleach to raise the chlorine levels of your pool to 1 to 3 ppm. If youre trying to shock your pool, then you will need to add 1/2 gallon per 10,000 gallons of pool water to raise it to 5 ppm. On the other hand, if you are just raising your chlorine levels, 1/4 gallon per 10,000 gallons will suffice.
Theres a lot of math thats involved in figuring out your specific bleach needs, not to mention important tips to ensure the safety of your swimmers. Before you pour that bleach, make sure to read our guide on the topic.
Read Also: What Is An Intex Pool
What Are The Different Types Of Pool Shock
With different pool shocks or shock products are available, how do you know which one is best for your pool?
Heres a breakdown of the top 3 pool shocks.
- Calcium Hypochlorite: Commonly referred to as cal-hypo, this shock is the most popular option, and contains 70% chlorine for killing algae and contaminants. Its unstabilized nature means the sun will burn it off and it wont increase cyanuric acid levels in your pool.
Cal-hypo has a high pH and will temporarily raise those levels, so its a good choice for pools that test at a normal or low pH level. Of note, your water may become temporarily cloudy, and cal-hypo may also increase your waters calcium hardness.
- Dichlor: Sodium dichlor is 55% chlorine and stabilized, which means it contains CYA. This makes it last longer in your pool water than cal-hypo, and the lower pH level and lack of calcium will keep the pool from getting cloudy.
However, because it contains CYA, CYA levels can increase. This has to be carefully monitored otherwise you may need to invest in a CYA reducer, or even drain/dilute your pool.
- Non-Chlorine Shock: Also known as Potassium Monopersulfate , this is a chlorine-free shock that oxidizes contaminants, but wont rid the pool of bacteria. Compared to chlorinated shock, you can use MPS shock at any time of day and be swimming in the pool 15 minutes later. Its pH neutral so your level wont fluctuate, and by focusing on oxidation, it frees up the pools chlorine to be more efficient at sanitizing.
Are There Any Alternatives To Bleach You Can Use
If youre skittish about using bleach, you can reduce the amount of bleach by using pool bromine, ionizers, or ozonators. If you want to remove chlorine from the equation altogether, you can use PMBB. However, bleach remains the most affordable and effective way to clean a pool. Thats why its so popular.
Don’t Miss: Black Hose Trick For Pools
How To Kill Algae
The best weapon to eliminate this problem is the use of chlorine. Begin by determining the amount of algae in your pool. In case you notice your pool is maybe light green, or you see little black or yellow algae, there is need to consider double shocking the pool to resolve the problem. For this case, you are required to use a shock of 2 pounds for every 10,000 gallons of pool water.
In case the pool is dark green in color, or there are heavy black or yellow algae spots, there is a need for triple shocking the pool. Here, for every 10,000 gallons of pool water, you are required to use 3 pounds. For the case the pool has been infested with black and yellow algae, quadruple shocking is the option to go with, for every 10,000 gallons of pool water, you are required to use 4 pounds of it. To achieve better results in case the pool is very infested with algae, repetitive shocking is required to completely destroy the cells. Keep in mind that the best time to shock a pool is when the sun is down.
Bottom Line
You should be patient for a couple of days to see if the problem completely disappears. If that happens, then the problem would have been resolved well. To prevent the problem from developing again, you need to keep brushing and always maintain a close eye on the chemical levels to ensure it doesnt return some other time again. So, how much liquid chlorine to shock a pool with algae? A minimum amount of 30 ppm is what needs to be considered to resolve the problem.
How Much Chlorine To Add To Pool
The basic chlorine to pool water balance is supposed to range between 1 to 3 PPM. To achieve this pool chemistry balance, you will need about 0.00013 ounces of chlorine per gallon of pool water.
Different swimming pools feature varying sizes. Hence, you will need to perform some simple calculations to figure out the amount of chlorine you need to shock your swimming pool.
To determine exactly how much chlorine to add to the pool, you need to calculate the size of the pool. On average, a round ring pool 15 feet across and 48 inches tall will hold approximately 4,978 gallons of water. On the other hand, an in-ground pool can hold over 31,000 gallons of water.
To determine the number of gallons in the swimming pool, measure and multiply the width, average depth and, length, then multiply the value you get by 5.9 for around pool, 6.7 for an oval pool, and 7.5 for a rectangular pool.
After determining the number of gallons in the swimming pool, the next step is to figure how much chlorine to add to the pool to bring the level to a healthy point. To do this, you will need to use a pool test kit. If you find that the chlorine level is already 1 ppm and you prefer it higher, you will need to add 0.00013 ounces per gallon to raise the level by 1 ppm.
Also Check: How Can I Heat My Above Ground Pool
What Happens When You Add A Lot Of Shock
Adding a ton of shock to your pool just for the heck of it wont speed up the cleaning process. If its your first time shocking a pool, and you see unexpected cloudiness, dont panic and start aggressively dumping shock into your pool. Some cloudiness is normal and to be expected. In order to clear out a cloudy pool after shocking, you will need to keep your pump and filter on with the circulation continually running. This will likely take 4-6 hours.
Even though it should only take 4-6 hours to clear the cloudiness, you shouldnt measure your chlorine levels the same day youve shocked the pool. High chlorine levels will bleach your test strip and give you a false reading. This false reading may convince you that your pool doesnt have enough shock when, in reality, it does. You want to avoid adding excess chlorine, so its best to wait a few days before testing the water. The best thing you can do if you put too much shock in your pool is to wait it out. Pro tip: the more sunlight your pool water gets, the faster the shock will dissipate.
How To Shock A Pool
Youve got the chemical knowledge. Now its time for practical experience. Superchlorinating your pool is shockingly easy once you get the hang of it.
Important: Remember, if youre using chlorinated pool shock, wait until the sun goes down before adding it.
Supplies
Instructions
Read Also: Lowe’s Pool Shock
How Long Does Liquid Chlorine Last In Pool
It is best to wait before going into the pool because liquid chlorine levels will be high after shocking, but it will be safe to swim after only 24 hours. Each chlorine compound is designed for a specific purpose. Using these two types in conjunction with one another will keep your pool clean, clear and sparkling!
Does Liquid Chlorine Raise Ph
A: No. It does not raise pH. When dissolved in water, liquid chlorine enables Hypochlorous acid and Sodium hydroxide , which helps the level rise. However, when the Hypochlorous is deflated by UV, it births hydrochloric acid . The rate of this HCl is almost the same as the amount of NaOH therefore, any net effect on pH is nearly nothing or completely zero.
Also Check: Mandalay Bay Pool Hours Winter
What Happens When You Shock Your Swimming Pool
The term shocking your swimming pool essentially means adding high volumes of concentrated chlorine to kill off any living contaminants that have developed within your pool. Although, if you overdo the shock treatment, you risk getting green hair from chlorine due to the excess chlorine oxidizing the copper in the water.
What Time Of Day Is Best To Shock A Pool
The ideal time to shock your pool is in the evening after all swimming is complete. In the evening because the sun will not be boiling the chlorine out of your pool, and after everyone is done swimming because shocking is going to bring the chlorine level up to a level that may be irritating to skin and eyes.
Don’t Miss: Swimming Pools Easy Setup
Chlorine Or Bromine Chemical Levels
Outdoor pools require a reading of 3-5ppm. If a swimming pools chlorine or bromine levels are not maintained and tested regularly this can entail insufficient sanitisation, leading to bacteria and algae growth.
A solution to this particular issue is to shock dose the pool. We recommend considering the use of chlorine tablets or a chemical dispenser. Chemical dispensers will help to ensure a constant supply of chlorine.
First Test Your Water Chemistry
Before you go adding a bunch of chemicals to your pool water, you need to test your water to get accurate measurements of your current alkalinity level. Read our guide on testing your pool water with a testing kit to learn how to do it effectively.
Once you have your reading, youll know whether your alkalinity level is too high or too low . To raise your alkalinity levels, youll add sodium bicarbonate to your pool water. To lower it, youll use muriatic acid or sodium bisulfate. I know what youre thinkingbaking soda? Yep, there are also other household products you can use to clean your pool.
You May Like: Swimex Price List
How Much Liquid Chlorine To Add To A Pool
First conduct a water test to determine the chlorine level. Water test kits are readily available at numerous stores and online, and come with detailed instructions to decipher how to read the results.
An important thing to mention here is that the chlorine that is measured is actually free chlorine, there is no differential.
To determine the amount of liquid chlorine you need to add, first consider the total water capacity of your pool. Most chlorine comes in packing suitable to be used per 1000 gallons of water. If the water capacity of your pool falls outside of that, there are chlorine calculators online to assist you in determining the correct quantity of chlorine to add.
It is recommended to keep chlorine levels maintained between 1 ppm and 3 ppm. Above 3 ppm concentration of chlorine in pool water can cause irritation to the eyes and skin of swimmers.
When adding chlorine, keep the pool pump running for proper dispersion and refrain from swimming until the level is below 3 ppm.
IMPORTANT NOTE! Liquid chlorine is an extremely harsh chemical and must be handled with precaution. It has a higher pH value than the powder form so it is highly likely the pH will need to be re-balanced after adding it. It is also highly corrosive and can cause burns or damage to pool equipment if not used correctly. Always handle any pool chemical with caution and wear protective clothing, gloves, and eye protection.
When Pool Water Temperature Rises
Bacteria and other organisms such as algae thrive in warm water. In addition, the amount of free chlorine decreases with rising temperatures.
Most pools are kept at a comfortable level of 86-88 °F. The temperature should be lowered to a range of 78-84 °F if there are a lot of swimmers or if the pool is used for athletic activities. You can use a pool thermometer to measure water temperature.
If the temperature rises above the recommended levels, you should shock your pool.
Don’t Miss: Is Jones Beach Pool Open
Which Is The Best Chlorine Shock Sodium Hypochlorite Vs Calcium Hypochlorite
There are two common types of chlorine shockssodium hypochlorite and calcium hypochlorite and each is used for a different purpose. Apart from these two, there are also other types of special pool shocks including:
- potassium peroxymonosulphate
- lithium hypochlorite
- dichloroisocyanuric acid
However, all these special shocks, including calcium hypochlorite, are not recommended for regular pool sanitization. This is because their continued use introduces other compounds in your pool water, including calcium, pH, and cyanuric acid, leading to increased levels of these chemicals in your water.
This article is mainly about two common shocks: sodium hypochlorite for daily chlorination and calcium hypochlorite for fighting algae during algae breakout.
The type of pool shock to use in your pool will depend on what you need to achieve, which may include clearing cloudy water, killing germs/bacteria, or fighting pool algae.
What Is Shocking A Pool And Why Should You Do It
Shocking a pool, also known as pool chlorination, is adding chlorine in swimming pool water to sanitize itgetting rid of chloramine , contaminants, bacteria, preventing algae, ammonia, and other living organisms from thriving in your pool.
Chlorinating a swimming pool is a very important and necessary part of pool maintenance.
Every pool owner should at least understand how to do it, how frequently, what amount of chlorine to add, and which chlorine shock to use in a pool.
Moreover, the cornerstone of keeping free chlorine active all the time is keeping it in proper balance with cyanuric acid.
The higher the cyanuric acid level in your water, the more your free chlorine will be ineffective, and the more chlorine you will use in your pool.
Confirm on Trouble Free Pool’s Chlorine/CYA Chart to know the correct amount of chlorine to add at a given level of cyanuric acid.
By regularly adding chlorine shock to your water, you completely avoid the hassle of SLAMing your pool to clear algae and ammonia.
To have a trouble-free pool throughout the summer, I always recommend the use of non-stabilized chlorine known as sodium hypochlorite with a 12.5% chlorine concentration for pool sanitization.
You can also use sodium hypochlorite with a 10% chlorine concentration, but not a regular household bleach that comes with low chlorine concentration of 8% and below.
Read Also: Raise Pool Stabilizer
