Is shock the same as bleach?

Author: Wyman Fisher  |  Last update: Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Swimming pool shock contains 12.5% sodium hypochlorite (bleach) vs. 6-8.5% for Clorox (bleach). Some Clorox products go as high as 8.5%. At a 12.5% concentrate, liquid pool shock is approximately 2x's stronger than Clorox bleach.

Can you use bleach in place of shock?

If you need to mildly shock a 30,000-gallon pool by raising the free chlorine concentration to 5 ppm, you need 2.5 gallons of bleach. To raise it to 10 ppm, you need 5 gallons.

How much bleach equals a bag of shock?

One pound of 65% Cal-Hypo is equivalent to 117 fluid ounces (0.91 gallons) of 8.25% bleach. One pound of non-chlorine shock (43% MPS) is "equivalent" to 36 fluid ounces (0.28 gallons) of 8.25% bleach, but non-chlorine shock is not the same as chlorine.

Can I put regular bleach in my pool?

Household bleach, Clorox and liquid chlorine can all be used to sanitize a pool. They are all types of chlorine. Household bleaches such as Clorox usually contain about 5-6% available chlorine, about half that of pool liquid chlorine. Household bleaches often have unwanted fragrances and colors.

Can you use bleach to shock a hot tub?

Bleach as a hot tub shock

Bleach is our #1 choice if you want to bathe chemical free faster. We love this because it is designed to evaporate quickly which means it will do the job and leave. Choose non-scented and without additives. Household bleach will raise the pH level because it has a very high pH of 13.

Liquid Swimming Pool Chlorine & Bleach Compared

What can I use in place of shock?

Shock. Common unscented household bleach (sodium hypochlorite) works well to shock a pool. To increase the chlorine level by 5ppm in a 10,000 gallon pool, you would need 1/2 Gallon of basic household bleach.

Will bleach clear a green pool?

Green algae, unlike its black counterpart, is a true algae; it isn't resistant to chlorine, so you can control it by shocking the pool. If you don't want to spend a lot of money on expensive pool chemicals, you can shock with household bleach.

What can I use to shock my pool?

Calcium Hypochlorite: Also referred to as cal hypo, this chemical is one of the least costly and most convenient ways to shock your pool. It's usually sold in granular form.

Is pool shock the same as chlorine?

Shock is chlorine, in a high dose, meant to shock your pool and raise the chlorine level quickly. Chlorine tabs (placed in a chlorinator, floater, or skimmer basket) maintain a chlorine residual in the water. You do need to use both tabs and shock.

What time of day should I shock my pool?

The best time of day to shock your pool is in the evening. This is because the sun's rays can affect the effectiveness of the chlorine by dissolving it too quickly, before it has a chance to rid the pool of contaminants and clean the water.

What can I use in my pool instead of chlorine?

There are alternatives to chlorine including bromine, ionizers, and ozonators, though with each you'll still need to use some chlorine. A fourth alternative is PHMB, which doesn't require the use of any chlorine. All four have drawbacks, including cost.

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.

Why is my pool still green after shock?

Algae will remain in your pool after shock if you've had insufficient chlorine and an overabundance of metal elements in the pool water. Therefore, to start the cleaning process. Remove all the debris from the pool with a leaf net and then let the smaller dirt fragments settle.

How do you super shock a green pool?

Method #1: Get Rid of Pool Algae by Shocking Your Pool Water
  1. Sanitise your pool with a heavy treatment of chlorine, either granular or liquid. ...
  2. Lower your pH with hydrochloric acid or pH Down Tablets. ...
  3. Ensure the system is on and running for a 24 hour period to disperse the shock treatment around the pool.

What happens when you don't have a pool shock?

2. Bleach. Also known as sodium hypochlorite, simple household bleach (which contains 5.25 percent of sodium hypochlorite, the active ingredient in bleach) can get stains out of grout that the baking soda couldn't. Bonus Tip: Bleach can also be used to shock a pool.

Can you use baking soda instead of chlorine?

What Does Baking Soda Do For a Pool? Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate is naturally alkaline, with a pH of 8. When you add baking soda to your pool water, you will raise both the pH and the alkalinity, improving stability and clarity.

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.

How much shock do I need for a 15000 gallon pool?

Typically for granular shock, you'll need one pound for every 10,000 to 13,500 gallons of pool water.

Can I swim in a green pool?

What's important for you to know: You shouldn't swim in a pool that's green until you test the chemical levels, like the officials in Rio did before the diving event began. It's the balance of things like chlorine, pH, and alkalinity in a pool that keeps it sterilized.

How long does a pool take to clear after shocking?

Keep your pump and filter running. Give the shock a good 12 to 24 hours to work it's magic. If the algae hasn't cleared up after 24-48 hours, clean and brush the pool and add another shock treatment.

How long should you run filter after shocking pool?

A pool filter should be run for a minimum of 6 hours after shocking a swimming pool. This is to allow the filter to clean the water and give the shock enough time to fully mix with the pool water. Running the filter after shocking for 24 hours to 7 days is necessary if the pool has a large amount of algae.

When can you add chlorine to pool after shocking?

You should wait one hour per pound of shock product added, and then test the water to confirm the pH and chlorine are in the proper range before letting anyone enter the pool. As a reminder, you want your pH to be between 7.2 and 7.8ppm and your free available chlorine to be 1-4ppm for safe swimming.

Is chlorine and bleach the same thing?

Chlorine is a natural element and an ingredient of bleach, while bleach is a solution and the product of combining chlorine and other chemicals. 2. Chlorine exists in nature, while bleach is a manufactured product.

How do I clean my pool without chlorine tablets?

Bromine — considered a safe substitute for chlorine. Looks for BCDMH tablets, which are typically 66% bromine and 27% chlorine. If unable to find, you can use just bromine but it may leave the water a dull green color.

How do you keep your pool clean without chemicals?

How To Keep Your Pool Clean Without Chemicals And Filters? (9 Tips)
  1. Use Salt Instead Of Chlorine. ...
  2. Baking Soda. ...
  3. Use a Melamine Sponge. ...
  4. Lemon Juice. ...
  5. Use Sphagnum Moss. ...
  6. Use Oxygen Cleaning Technology. ...
  7. Use Ionization Tablets. ...
  8. Use a Robotic Pool Cleaner.

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