What is the difference between chlorine and shock?

Author: Lloyd Medhurst  |  Last update: Monday, March 21, 2022

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. Granular shock is stabilized and comes in a solid form that dissolves in your pool.

Is shock and chlorine the same thing?

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.

Is shock stronger than chlorine?

Granular Shock: Granular or powdered oxidizers 4 types and 6 strengths. The most common form of granular shock is called Calcium Hypochlorite, known as Cal Hypo. This type of shock is much stronger than liquid shock typically has 65 to 75 percent available chlorine.

Can I add shock and chlorine at the same time?

It Should Not Be Done Together

This is because when you mix chlorine and algaecide together, it renders both of them useless. Hence, you should first shock the pool and wait for the chlorine levels to fall below 5 PPM.

Is Shocking a pool the same as adding chlorine?

So, what is pool shock, exactly? "Shocking” refers to the process of adding chlorine or non-chlorine pool chemicals to the water in order to raise the "free chlorine” level. The goal is to raise this level to a point where contaminants such as algae, chloramines and bacteria are destroyed.

Are Chlorine and Shock the Same?

Do I need chlorine if I use 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.

Can I swim 12 hours after shocking pool?

After Shocking Your Pool

It is safe to swim once your chlorine levels are around 5 ppm or after 24 hours.

How often should I shock my pool?

How Often Should I Shock My Pool? Shocking your pool regularly will help to keep the water clean and free of contaminants. You should aim to shock your pool about once a week, with the additional shock after heavy use. Some tell-tale signs that your pool needs to be shocked are cloudy, foamy, green, or odourous water.

Can I shock my pool without the pump running?

Neither will chlorination be effective with a diffuser and without a pump. The best thing to do is to apply liquid chlorine in the pool. Then, you have to circulate the pool manually with the use of a telescopic pole or paddle. This will ensure the chlorine disperse well.

How long after shocking pool will it clear up?

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.

Is shock better than liquid chlorine?

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. Granular shock is stabilized and comes in a solid form that dissolves in your pool.

Why did my pool turn green when I added chlorine?

When the levels are properly balanced, chlorine will keep the algae at bay, but the water will slowly begin to turn green as the algae take over if there's not enough. But be careful—adding too much chlorine in pool water can cause those metals to oxidize and turn the pool a different shade of green.

Which pool shock is best?

The 5 Best Pool Shocks:
  1. In The Swim Chlorine Pool Shock — Best Overall. Check Latest Price. ...
  2. Clorox Pool&Spa Shock Plus — Best Value. Check Latest Price. ...
  3. Doheny's Super Pool Shock. Check Latest Price. ...
  4. Aqua-Chem Pool Shocks. Check Latest Price. ...
  5. Ultima Total Control Pool Shock. Check Latest Price.

What happens if you swim in a shocked pool?

What can happen if you go into a pool too soon after it's been shocked? There are a few potential issues. "Chlorine will react with water to produce an acid," Alan says. "The effects will be different depending on whether chlorine is inhaled or whether there is skin or eye contact."

Can you use liquid chlorine to shock pool?

Sodium hypochlorite (also known as liquid chlorine) is another frequently used option for shocking pool water. This is a common choice in pool shock because you can pour the solution directly into the pool without having to dissolve the chlorine in water beforehand.

Do you run pool pump while swimming?

Chemicals that you add to your pool while the water is circulating don't need to be recirculated; they will stay mixed even if you don't pump the water continually. Although it's generally recommended that all the pool water undergo filtration every 24 hours, the pump does not need to run all the time.

Does pool shock work in cold water?

The best thing about this dry liquid chlorine formula is that it dissolves very rapidly, even in cold water temperatures. We've packaged it in an easy to pour bottle, just walk it around the pool – no need to pre-dissolve.

Can a pool pump run 24 7?

Not running the pump 24/7 is also a sanitary issue, and is the primary cause of a murky pool. The moment you turn off your water pump, debris, algae and bacteria start to build up, which can eventually lead to cloudy or green water. ... Specifically, we recommend using a Pentair IntelliFlo pump.

Should I shock pool after rain?

Shocking your pool isn't necessary, although, it's not a bad idea either. If you get an extremely heavy rain fall, you could shock your pool for good measure. This will help fight off any contaminants that the rain may have brought to your pool.

Do you need to shock salt water pools?

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.

Should you shock pool every week?

It's often recommended to shock your pool once a week. If you don't do it every week, you should at least do it every other week. This is necessary to maintain your pool's water chemistry. If you have a lot of people over in your pool or have a party, you may want to shock your pool more frequently.

What to do if pool is still green after shocking?

5 Reasons Why Your Pool Is Still Green Or Cloudy After Shocking
  1. Balance the pH and Chlorine shock the water.
  2. Check the filtration system for any problems or malfunctions. ...
  3. Brush the walls and floor to dislodge the algae into the pool water. ...
  4. Backwash the filter.
  5. Return valve to filter and turn on the pump.

Can you get in a pool after you shock it?

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.

What happens if you swim in a pool with too much chlorine?

Chlorine, either solid or liquid, is a pesticide used in pools to destroy germs, including those from feces, urine, saliva and other substances. But excessive exposure to chlorine can cause sickness and injuries, including rashes, coughing, nose or throat pain, eye irritation and bouts of asthma, health experts warn.

What happens when you mix Coke and pool chlorine?

So, what exactly happened? In the coke there is a small amount of phosphoric acid, which acts as the reactant. When the phosphoric acid reacts with the pool chlorine, calcium hypochlorite, it releases a gas. The coke and the pool chlorine also create an exothermic reaction, which means that heat is released.

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