Can I add alkalinity and shock at the same time?

Author: Nels Kirlin  |  Last update: Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Never add chemicals at the same time, whether you're balancing the water, shocking the pool, or adding a specialty chemical. For most water balance changes, the pump needs to run on the high setting for at least four hours before you can add another chemical or retest the water.

Can I shock my pool after adding alkalinity?

Most balancing chemicals, such as pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness, will become incorporated into the water within an hour of adding them, at which time swimming is safe. Shock takes longer to adjust with the pool water, so waiting overnight after shocking before you swim is recommended.

Do I add shock or alkalinity first?

You should test alkalinity first because it will buffer pH. Your reading should be in the range of 80 to 120 parts per million (ppm). If you need to increase the alkalinity, add an increaser. To lower it, you'll add a sodium bisulfate.

Can I add alkalinity and chlorine at the same time?

Once you get your pH levels between 7.2 and 7.5 and your total alkalinity between 60 and 120 ppm you can move on to working on the calcium hardness and chlorine levels.

Can you add phosphate remover and shock at the same time?

If there is algae, brush it off of the walls and floor. Clean the filter then shock the pool. After that, add the phosphate remover. Keep in mind that phosphate remover is hard on the filter, and you will notice reduced flow after a day or two.

Best way to dose alkalinity in your reef tank ?

When should I add alkalinity to my pool?

Test your pool's alkalinity daily. Ideally, your pH is between 7.2 and 7.8 and the alkalinity is between 110 and 150 ppm (parts per million). If your alkalinity level is lower, and especially if less than 80 ppm, then you need to raise the pool water alkalinity.

Should pH be adjusted before shocking pool?

Lower the pH before shocking, 7.2 – 7.4 is best for shock efficacy. Dilute pool shock in a bucket of water for vinyl liner pools. Run the filter 24/7 until water is clear.

Can you add shock and salt at the same time?

As shocking has a tendency to push metals out of solution and salt (even when labeled as pure) can contain trace amounts of metals, it is recommended that you add salt at a different time from shocking. Have your PH and ALK within range when adding salt, and brush until it is completely dissolved.

How long after adding shock Can you swim?

After you shock the pool — As soon as your chlorine levels reach 5 ppm or lower, it's officially safe to swim. Depending on the type of shock used, as well as the amount used, it can take anywhere from 24 hours or even up to a couple of days.

Can I use shock instead of chlorine tablets?

You do need to use both tabs and shock. Without tabs, the chlorine shock will dissipate quickly out of the water; without shock, the chlorine level will not get high enough to fully sanitize the water.

Is pool shock the same as chlorine?

Are chlorine and shock the same thing? SKIMMER NOTES: No. Chlorine and shock are not the same thing. Shock has a more intense chemical strength than the traditional chlorine sanitizers, and it also differs in how you should apply it to your swimming pool.

Should I shock pool before adding salt?

Superchlorinate after rainstorms or heavy pool use, but for algae, chloramines or contamination, you will need to use packaged pool shock. In summary, shocking a saltwater pool is no different than shocking any other chlorine pool.

Why did my pool turn green after I shocked it?

Pools can immediately turn green after shocking when they have metals like copper in the water. These metals oxidise when exposed to high levels of chlorine which makes the pool water turn green. Adding a metal control product such as Zodiac Metal Remover will help to restore the pool water.

Do you ever need to shock a salt water pool?

So, not only is shocking a saltwater pool okay, but it's actually important to your pool's health. Shocking is the process in which you overload your pool with chlorine (3-5 times the normal amount) to improve your pool's cleanliness and kill off organic matter.

What pool chemicals should not be mixed?

Incompatible Pool Chemicals
  • Calcium Hardness Increaser & Sodium Bicarbonate. ...
  • Water Clarifier & Sequestering Agents. ...
  • Chlorine & Calcium Hypochlorite. ...
  • Pool Shock with Presence of Metals in Pool. ...
  • Pool Shock & Enzyme Products. ...
  • Chlorine & Muriatic Acid.

Can I add multiple chemicals to my pool at the same time?

You should not add all pool chemicals at the same time. You should also avoid mixing pool chemicals together. Adding chemicals at one time can cause dangerous chemical reactions and serious injuries. In addition, it will make it difficult to balance the pool.

What chemical do you put in pool first?

Alkalinity Adjusting Chemicals for Pool Start Up

This should be the first chemical that you add to your pool during start-up. This one can really affect the pH level of your pool. Sorting this out first prevents you from ruining your hard work on your pool's pH level by doing it afterward.

Does pool shock raise pH and alkalinity?

It's also not uncommon for pool owners to go a bit overboard when shocking their pool, and since chlorine-based pool shock is a high-alkaline substance, it will also naturally raise your pool alkalinity.

Should I adjust chlorine or pH first?

Rule of thumb is to do the PH first. And do not bother to drive to pool store to spend the extra money for a PH DECREASER. Buy a plain baking soda for 50cents a pound in Walmart! Chlorine will not work fully until your PH is in the proper range.

Can you over shock a pool?

Can you put too much shock in a pool? SKIMMER NOTES: It's unlikely but it could happen. It would take a lot of shock to really make the water unsafe for swimming. The best way to make sure you're safe to swim is to test your pool water and make sure free chlorine levels are between 1-4ppm for healthy swimming.

Is it safe to swim with low alkalinity?

Asides its effects on your pool, a low alkalinity swimming pool is unsafe for swimmers as the acidic water can cause nasal, eye, and skin irritations.

Does raising pH raise alkalinity?

Raising PH Level

PH Plus will increase your Alkalinity level slightly too so keep an eye on this as remember Total Alkalinity is the buffer to allow your PH to be set.

What if pool alkalinity is too high?

If your pool water is too alkaline, it can cause scaling on your pool's surface and plumbing equipment, and can cloud the pool water. In addition, both high acidity and high alkalinity will alter the effectiveness of your chlorine, which will clearly disrupt your pool's disinfecting processes.

How soon after I shock my pool can I add salt?

Wait until the shock process is complete, then put in the salt. It'll dissolve right away and be ready for the SWG by the time you get ready to use it.

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