Generally, it's recommended you add shock to your pool: When first filling up your pool. After spotting any signs of algae or slime. After any period of heavy use.
A good rule of thumb is 1 pound of shock for every 10,000 gallons of pool water. Always refer to the manufacturer's directions and instructions on the package for exact amounts.
Most important chemical is chlorine. Put enough liquid chlorine in to hit 3 ppm. If you use pucks don't add stabilizer. It you have a salt system or you use cal hypo, add enough stabilizer to get to 20-30ppm.
When should you shock your swimming pool? You should shock your pool once a week, or at least once every other week to help maintain sanitized water. The more often you use the pool, the more often you should shock. But when is the right time to add shock? The answer: at night.
How Often Should You Shock Your Swimming Pool? The frequency at which you shock your pool will depend on a couple of things. Generally, it's recommended you add shock to your pool: When first filling up your pool.
1) What is the difference between chlorine and shock? Do I need to use both? Chlorine is a sanitizer, and (unless you use Baquacil products) is necessary for maintaining a clear and healthy pool. Shock is chlorine, in a high dose, meant to shock your pool and raise the chlorine level quickly.
Ideally, you should shock your pool at night, so the sun cannot interfere and destroy the active chemicals before they can do their job. Then, you can add your chlorine post-shock after the chlorine levels have fallen below 5 ppm.
Do not swim in a new pool (or newly renovated pool surface) for at least seven (7) days after filling it up. If your freshly-plastered swimming pool was filled using the Orenda Startup™, swimmers should be able to get in the water after one week, if the water is warm enough.
While you can take steps to achieve the right water chemistry after the pool's been used, it's best to add the necessary chemicals immediately after the pool has been filled. To begin this process, test your pool water to determine what chemicals need to be included.
Chemicals Needed for Pool Start Ups
Start-Up Kits for pools contain Stain and Scale Prevention, Pool Shock, Algaecide, Clarifier, Test Strips, and a Sun-Sorb oil absorbing sponge.
Filling Your Pool with Water for the First Time
Make sure the filtration system is operational. Based on temperature and type of finish, fill the pool to the middle of the skimmer or specified water level without interruption and as rapidly as possible with clean water, to help prevent a bowl ring.
Add Alkalinity Adjuster
The first thing you need to do while adding pool chemicals in order is to balance the water's alkalinity. This is achievable by balancing the alkalinity to 80-120 ppm (parts per million). Use the right products to balance the pool water's alkalinity, depending on its level.
Is it possible to shock your pool too much? Yes—excessive shocking of your pool will keep it at an elevated chlorine level. This will cause irritation of the skin and eyes as well as excessive wear and tear on your pool filter system, including excessive corrosion of all metal parts.
How much chlorine to add depends on the type you're using. But since tablets are the most common, we can say that the rule of thumb for how much chlorine to add is two 3-inch tablets per 10,000 gallons, or one 3-inch tablet per 5,000 gallons. The goal is to have a chlorine level at 1 to 3 parts per million (ppm).
It's important to add this chemical to the pool first, even as the pool is filling.
Run Your Filter
Stagnant water that is untreated can quickly develop bacteria, so it is a good idea to keep the water flowing as you prepare for the next steps. Ideally, you should run your filter for a 24 hour period after filling your pool.
You can add some granular pool shock to your swimming pool directly, but most varieties need to be mixed with water before use. Mix the granular pool shock with water ahead of time, if necessary.
You should add chlorine within 48 hours of filling your pool with water. In just 24 hours, bacteria and algae will begin to grow and contaminate your water. After that point, you'll need to shock the water with high levels of chlorine, and you'll likely need to do additional vacuuming to get the pool clean.
Liquid chlorine and granular shock have the same active chemical that sanitizes your pool, what changes is the strength and the way you use it. Liquid chlorine is less costly, unstabilized and comes in liquid form.
Adding chlorine besides the shock can increase the chlorine content in the water which can make the entire shocking process useless. Hence, it is better if you don't use the shock and chlorine at the same time.
While both granular and liquid chlorine has their pros and cons, granular chlorine is more common in home pools. It's cheaper, easy to use, easy to store, and lasts a long time. More premium pools often go for liquid chlorine because of its long-lasting effect on the pool. However, there's no watertight categorisation.
For example, some 1-pound bags of shock treatment can deliver 7 parts per million of free chlorine per 10,000 gallons of pool water.