What Are Shock Treatments
Shock treatments utilize chlorine. Shock is a very high dose of chlorine. It is called a shock treatment because it increases the pools chlorine levels at a rapid rate. Also, pool shocks usually make use of a powdered form of chlorine.
This sanitation treatment is ideal for widespread contamination or after using a pool for a long time.
For instance, you would want to shock your pool if you swam in it for almost an entire day. If you had a party and multiple people used the pool, you probably would shock your pool then.
Aside from cleaning a pool, shock reduces the cloudiness of the water. It can also remove stains and mold and raise chlorine levels quickly when they are too low.
The Cleaning Power Of Chlorine And Bleach
Chlorine has long been the most common chemical used to sanitize pools. Its potent, readily available, and trusted as a conventional cleaner for pools. While chlorine may be the go-to option for pools, however, bleach is the weapon of choice in the battle against germs inside the home.
Bleach seems to do the trick when it comes to cleaning your countertops and bathrooms so why not your pool?
Chlorine and bleach are very similar chemicals that both do a great job of fighting the good fight against a scummy, dirty, and murky pool. The main ingredient in bleach is, after all, chlorine so whats the difference between the two?
When To Add Stabilizer To A Pool
Most homeowners only add stabilizer to a pool when they first open their pool. Pool professionals and homeowners typically shock the pool until the chlorine and alkalinity are balanced. Next, you can backwash your filter to clean it, then add a stabilizer to the skimmer.
This is ideal at the opening of a season because your chlorine will be off to a good start. You can ultimately waste chlorine if you dont add stabilizer at the beginning of a season. Chlorine can dissipate quickly without stabilizer resulting in chlorine lock.
Pool stabilizer is just one of many costs to maintain a pool, but its worth it when your chlorine lasts longer. Make sure not to over-shock your pool before you add stabilizer so that the stabilizer doesnt cancel out the chlorine. The cyanuric acid in pool stabilizer is strong, but using too much shock can negate its effects.
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Chlorine Shock Treatment When And Why
Fast chlorine is to be used in addition to a basic treatment with slow chlorine rollers.
It is advised to be used as a remedial treatment:
- In the spring, after the winterization of your pool. Accompanied by thorough manual cleaning and continuous filtration.
- When the water in your pool becomes cloudy and the disinfection capacity of your water is too low, do a shock treatment to quickly restore the situation.
- During hot weather, algae can grow in your pool, shock chlorination can solve this problem.
- After heavy use of the pool, to avoid any imbalance or bacteria growth.
- After outdoor pollution , a shock treatment can be considered in order to quickly restore the swimming water to its correct condition.
Three Types Of Pool Shock: What’s The Difference
Whether youre a new pool owner or an experienced pool professional, it’s important to understand the difference between the three main types of Pool Shock: Dichlor, Cal-Hypo and Chlorine-Free. Each of these types of shock has a different purpose.
Before we explain the different types of pool shock, lets go over the main reasons shocking is needed. Shock is used when the chlorine levels are low, chloramine levels are high, algae blooms are present, or there has been an accidental fecal contamination in the water. Shocking is also beneficial after heavy pool use or a major weather event, including heavy rains or high winds, which deposit dirt and debris into the water.
Below, you can compare the different types of shock, and what issues they address, to discover which one is right for your pool.
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How Many Chlorine Tablets Do I Need For A 12ft Pool
To use the right number of tablets, always round your pool volume up to the nearest unit of 5,000 gallons. For instance, your pool has a capacity of 20,000 gallons, you would add four chlorine tablets. But if your pool holds just 16,000 gallons, you’d still use four, three-inch chlorine tablets. It’s that easy.
What Is The Difference Between Pool Sanitizer And Chlorine
It is the most effective ways to purify and disinfect your pool water. As a sanitizer, chlorine must be in your pool throughout and maintained at prescribed levels referred to as the free available chlorine range. This refers to the amount of chlorine left in the pool to kill new bacteria that are entering the pool.
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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.
What Is Chlorine Used For
Chlorine is a sanitizing agent used to clean pool water and clean algae. It also prevents the water from clouding up, so you need it to maintain a clear pool.
It is probably one of the most important things you will ever need if you have your swimming pool. If you do not treat your pool with chlorine, it will not be safe to swim in.
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Chlorine Vs Bleach For Pools: Whats The Difference
- |May 19, 2020
Maintaining a clean, clear, and sparkling pool all summer long is every pool owners dream. However, it can sometimes seem like an unwinnable battle between the elements and the sanitizer in your pool.
The two most commons cleansers of choice are bleach and chlorine to keep your pool free of bacteria and other organic invaders. But which is the best option? Before you add another chemical into your pool water, lets take a look at the benefits and drawbacks of each.
Ready to dive in?
How Much Liquid Chlorine Do You Need To Shock A Pool With Algae
It’s a generally accepted notion that 30 ppm of chlorine residual will kill all algae. Assuming that your pool is clean, and you have adjusted the pH, you can now add the granular chlorine to the pool. Most pool shock packages will list directions to add 1 lb. of shock per 10,000 gallons of pool water.
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Is Liquid Chlorine The Same As Shock
Liquid chlorine and shock have the same active ingredients however, there are a few differences between them that are worth understanding. The liquid chlorine is obviously sold in a liquid-only status, and it is an unstabilized product.
This means that the liquid chlorine does not come with cyanuric acid in it, and therefore it will quickly dissipate in the water and be eaten up by the sun. Liquid chlorine costs quite a bit less than shock as well.
Granular shock is stabilized, so it does have cyanuric acid in it, and it usually comes in a solid form. The form will slowly dissipate. Sometimes the shock is sold in granules, and rarely can it be found in a tablet. Overall, both products have the end goal of helping pool owners keep their water cleaner however, they work in slightly different ways.
Quick Dip: How To Shock Your Swimming Pool Using Liquid Chlorine
Shocking your pool water is one of the keys to keeping your pool sparkling and ready to swim in. Failing to shock your pool water can lead to algae and bacteria build-up. This creates a swimming pool that is not only uninviting, but hazardous to pool patrons as well. Just because your water is clear, does not mean it is safe to swim in! This is why a high-quality pool testing set from LaMotte or Taylor is an essential part of every pool operators kit!
Shocking a pool with liquid chlorine or a granular pool shock kills or inactivates pathogens and algae. Shocking will also oxidize other unwanted materials inhabiting the pool water. By raising the chlorine level in the pool to the correct level, and holding it there for the prescribed amount of time, this effectively disinfects the water. This article covers shocking your pool with two of the most popular shock products on the market today sodium hypochlorite and calcium hypochlorite .
Preparing to Shock Your Pool
The Basic Method Shocking by Following the Label Instructions
How to Superchlorinate your Pool with Liquid and Granular Chlorine
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How To Shock A Pool
Shocking a pool is relatively simple. Remove any debris, leaves, and any other dirt from the pool. After this, check the pools pH level and adjust it accordingly. When the sun is no longer striking directly on the pools surface, proceed to add shock.
The pools filter should be turned on to ensure shock is evenly distributed. If chlorine levels are still low, you can add additional chlorine or algaecide to the pool.
How Long After Adding Stabilizer Can I Shock The Pool
There is no ironclad rule, but you should never shock the pool immediately after you add stabilizer. The cyanuric acid in pool stabilizer can lock and waste the chlorine. Add too much shock and chlorine to the pool and you risk rendering your chlorine useless.
It takes up to 3-4 days for pool stabilizer to evenly spread throughout the pool and dissipate. Test the chlorine level in your water before you shock the pool to find out if it is even necessary. Wait an additional 1-2 days if your chlorine level is fine.
Never shock your pool after adding stabilizer if the pH and chlorine levels are balanced. That would waste the chlorine you may have to drain and backwash some water to fix the problem. Keep testing strips at your home so that you can quickly check your chlorine and alkalinity before you shock the pool.
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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.
How To Shock Your Pool
There are plenty of reasons to shock your pool. According to NSPI/APSP standards, the ideal frequency for a brief super dose of shock is every week, depending on use and water temperature. Proper shocking of your pool will help mediate the need to shock more frequently and will perform a more complete cleaning of your pool water chemistry.
Without getting into the heavy science, it takes a certain level of chlorine to reach a breakpoint where chloramines are released from the water. If this breakpoint is not achieved, these odorous chloramines will persist in your pool resulting in an incomplete shock.
Take in account whether cyanuric acid is in the water when calculating how much shock you will need. With increased levels cyanuric acid, you will have to use more shock to reach the critical breakpoint.
A reasonable estimation for great results from shock is to bring the free chlorine to 40 percent of the cyanuric acid level in your pool. For example, if you have 50 ppm of cyanuric acid in your water, shock to a free chlorine concentration of 20 ppm.
It is also critical that pH is maintained through the process of shocking. The ability of chlorine to work effectively is directly proportional to the pH. When the pH is out of range, pool shock will decrease its effectiveness significantly.
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How Long Do You Have To Wait To Swim After You Shock A Pool
Before you can swim in the pool, wait for the amount of time recommended on the packageusually at least eight hours for chlorine-based shock treatments. You only have to wait as little as 15 minutes if you use non-chlorinated shock treatments.
To be safe, it’s best to measure the amount of free chlorine in your pool to make sure it is 3 ppm or slightly less before swimming. It is dangerous to swim in a pool with high chlorine concentration. If necessary, you can use chlorine reduction reagents.
How Often To Shock Your Pool
You dont want to wait for a bad smell or itchy eyes to happen before you shock your pool. We recommend shocking your pool once a week, or at least once every other week to properly maintain your water chemistry. The more often you use the pool, the more often you should reach for the swimming pool shock.
In addition to your weekly or semi-weekly treatments, you may want to perform an extra pool shock under certain circumstances, such as after:
- heavy pool use
- a severe rainstorm or damaging winds
- a major water level change
- a bowel-related pool accident
Think of extra shocks as insurance against wayward algae and other contaminants. Its better to take out any bacteria before it has a chance to affect the quality of your water or make anyone sick.
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Can I Add Shock And Chlorine At The Same Time
Pool is surely a great addition to the house. It brings some fun activities to the family. But maintaining it is very important otherwise it can affect the health badly. A pool water must be treated perfectly with the help of chemicals, chlorine etc. Many of the pool owners complain about the pool water turning green. You can use the shock method to make it normal. But the main question is can I add shock and chlorine at the same time?
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.
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How To Use Chlorine In Your Pool
If you decide to use traditional chlorine, however, for the same 30,000-gallon pool, youll need 1.5 pounds of solid chlorine to thoroughly cleanse your pool.
If youre using liquid chlorine, it will take between 150 and 300 ounces in a 30,000-gallon pool, depending on how much you need to increase your levels. This equates to between 1 and 2 gallons of liquid chlorine when adjusted for the size of your pool.
Once youve diluted your chlorine of choice in a bucket of water, make sure to let it sit for an hour before adding it to your pool. This will give it a chance to fully dissolve and work its magic when you do add it to the water.
Remember too, that chlorine loses much of its cleaning power when used in the sunlight, so its always a good idea to add chlorine to your pool at night.
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.
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When To Use Liquid Chlorine
Liquid chlorine is mostly used in pools that have a high level of swimmers. This type of chlorine will get your pool chlorine levels back to where they need to be faster than other types of granular chlorine. Even though this chemical may seem like the best choice, there are a few things about it that could cause you to think twice about using it.
The first problem is that liquid chlorine has a high pH of 13. When you add products with a high pH to your pool, you will need to add cyanuric acid to your pool to help lower the pH and bring it into range. The cyanuric acid works as a stabilizer to ensure that the products you just put in the pool will stay in place and truly clean it.
Another issue with liquid chlorine can be pits potency. With the choices you have on the market, the liquid chlorine will be one of the strongest, and therefore it can be a bit damaging. If you have a vinyl liner pool, you may notice that the continued application of liquid chlorine is starting to stain or fade the pool walls.
In addition, liquid chlorine has been known to erode and break down pool walls. Typically if you follow the proper procedures when putting the liquid chlorine in the pool, you shouldnât have these issues. Itâs just important to know the downsides of the liquid chlorine before making this the choice for your pool.
