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En Ok Pool Reform and within the Manter Pools guide We offer you an article about: What is Pool Shock Treatment?.
What is pool shock treatment?
Pool shock treatment is the process of adding chemicals (usually chlorine) to your pool to: break down chloramines, also known as combined chlorine quickly increase your chlorine level kill algae, bacteria or other harmful pathogens
What is shock chlorine
Shock chlorine is the chemical product which is used to perform a shock treatment of l
What is the purpose of shock in a pool?
Why do you need to perform a crash in the pool?
There are many reasons why swimming pools may need shock treatment., for example: to eliminate combined chlorine molecules, to eliminate excess waste from bathers and bacteria after intensive use of the pool, in cases where there are visible algae, etc.
Next, we are going to name all those situations in which shock treatment should be used.
When and for what reason should you use pool shock treatment?
Contrary to what most people think, a strong chlorine smell is not an indication of too much chlorine in the pool, but rather a warning sign that a "super dose" may be necessary to correct the problem.
How often do you need to perform a pool shock treatment?
Pools do not need to be shock treated unless necessary, such as to eliminate bacteria, algae, chloramines or other contaminants, or to help clean cloudy pool water or other water problems.
When and why the pool shock procedure
Below, we leave you a list of the possible reasons why you should perform a shock treatment and then we explain why:
- When and for what reason should you use the shock method in the pool?
1st reason why use green pool shock treatment
Green pool water
- Algae growth in the pool can be control with algaecide, but to kill algae (whether: green, yellow, pink...) and clean the pool, we use the pool shock.
2nd reason why use the choc rapid pool
Cloudy pool water
- Cloudy water can often be corrected by super-chlorinating the pool or adding non-chlorine oxidant, to destroy the colloidal particles that cause cloudy water.
3rd reason why use pool shock treatment
Chloramines
What are chloramines
- Free chlorine becomes combined chlorine when it binds to nitrogen or ammonia.
- The bond renders the chlorine molecule useless and makes pool water smell strongly of chlorine and irritates swimmers' eyes.
What to do when I have an excess level of chloramine
- When chloramine levels exceed 0.5 ppm (TC-FC = CC), add enough chlorine or non-chlorine shock to break down the combined chlorine, typically 10-20 times the tested CC level.
4th reason why use the choc rapid pool
Start-up and closure
Shock treatment in the pool when opening it after wintering
- Pools that are winterized, when you open the pool you will have to do a shock treatment in the pool in order to balance the chemistry of the water.
- In this way, we will oxidize the particles, kill bacteria and algae and restore the clarity of the water.
Shock treatment in the pool before wintering
Before closing the pool, a pool damper is used to disinfect the water, in preparation for the long winter ahead.
5th reason why use pool shock treatment
Heavy rain
Why heavy rain requires a pool shock treatment
- Rain is pure water, distilled by evaporation, but as it falls into the air, it collects particles that wash into the pool.
- During heavy storms, overhanging trees, overflowing flower pots, or grassy areas near the pool can deposit debris into the pool, causing a load of bacteria and phosphates, as well as leaf and plant debris.
6th reason why use the choc rapid pool
Bacteria and organic contaminants
Effects of bacteria and contaminants on the pool
- Shocking the pool also removes organic contaminants from dirt, leaves and air pollution, dust, pollen and algae spores can discolor the water, consume chlorine and affect water chemistry.
- There is a lot of harmless matter that enters a pool and hinders water balance and sanitation.
- Bacteria and waste from bathers are also contaminants for the pool; Bathers' waste includes skin, hair, lotions, cosmetics and soaps, as well as sweat, urine, feces and fungi.
7rd reason why use pool shock treatment
Pools with a lot of bathers
Standards of use of the shock procedure for public swimming pools
- According to standards for public swimming pools, the ideal frequency for a superdose of shock treatment is every week, depending on usage and water temperature.
Shock Method Usage Standards for High-Use Pools
- For high-use pools, superchlorination three times a week or more may be required as a preventative measure.
After parties held in the pool it will be necessary to perform a shock treatment
In the case of pools that have hosted a party for a dozen or more swimmers, or if a pool becomes contaminated with urine, feces or vomit, a strong shock is in order.
8th reason why use the choc rapid pool
Rapid increase in chlorine level when close to zero
- In cases where chlorine levels have been depleted, due to high temperatures, faulty equipment, or increasing or maintaining the chlorine level during problems with the pump, filter or salt system
How does the shock procedure work in the pool?
Pool shock procedure
Shock treatment adds a larger than normal amount of oxidizing chemicals to the pool water. This additional dose destroys organic contaminants and oxidizes ammonia and nitrogen compounds to remove the irritating chloramine odor from the area and, if chlorine is used for that purpose, to disinfect the water.
What is Superchlorination
Superchlorination is another term sometimes used for shock treatment with chlorine products when 5 ppm or more of FAC are added.
Pool superchlorination details
This mode of shock treatment, in addition to oxidizing unwanted debris, is used to eliminate the puddle of algae and bacteria that could be hiding in the filters and areas that are difficult to disinfect.
Superchlorination also eliminates chloramine odor.
How to perform pool superchlorination
Adding 10 times the level of combined chlorine or chloramines to the water achieves breakpoint chlorination when there is enough extra chlorine to consume the irritating chloramines.
Products to perform a shock in the pool
Many chlorine shock products also provide instructions for use to destroy algae and bacteria, which can be an added benefit.
How to apply shock chemicals in the pool
Discharge should be done with the pump and filter running, but after sunset to avoid loss of chlorine to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Shock treatment with shock chlorine
What is shock chlorine?
Basically, shock chlorine, also known as rapid chlorine, is a pool chemical which restores optimal disinfection to your pool in a minimal amount of time.
What it is for and how to use shock chlorine
Shock chlorine, as its name suggests, is used as a shock treatment in the pool; That is, mainly, it is used when the pool needs intense disinfection in a short time.
- What is fast chlorine
- When to use shock chlorine
- What types of pool shock CHLORINE treatment can we use?
- Comparative table of stabilized and non-stabilized shock treatment
- Shock treatment for pools with NON-stabilized chlorine
- Pool shock treatment with Stabilized chlorine
- Estimated amount of chlorine shock dose
- Tips and safety on how to use shock chlorine
- How to apply shock chlorine
- How to use shock liner chlorine
- Pool Shock Chlorine Storage
- Chlorine Shock Lifespan
- How to use shock chlorine: Click on the link and you will be directed to the page where we respond to all the points mentioned.
Types of shock treatment with CHLORINE pool shock
Two types of shock chlorine: Stabilized or NOT Stabilized
Type Stabilized pool chlorine = chlorine together with isocyanutic acid (CYA)
Stabilized chlorine is the collective name assigned to chlorine when a pool stabilizer has been added, or specifically, cyanuric acid, or its chlorinated compounds such as Sodium Dichloroisocyanurate and Trichloroisocyanuric Acid.
Cyanuric acid pool what is it
What is cyanuric acid in swimming pools?: Chlorinated isocyanurics are a weak acid stabilized chlorine compound (C3H3N3O3), with limited solubility in water (chemical additive) that is incorporated to stabilize chlorine in water. Furthermore, although it is essential for the maintenance of the pool, it is actually little known among owners of private pools and is even rarely mentioned in pool specialist stores despite its vital importance.
Pool shock treatment with Stabilized chlorine
Shock chlorine
What is a quick chlorine pool shock treatment?
Firstly, mention thatPool dichloro is also known as rapid or shock chlorine, Quick chlorine is used for pool starter treatment and for stubborn cases as green waters or lack of chlorination; That is, what is sought is to achieve the optimal chlorine level in a short time. For more info: Use of quick shock chlorine
Advantages of shock chlorine
Quick chlorine disinfection efficiency immediately
Rapid chlorine is the solution for rapid and intense disinfection of pool water in a short time so that it dissolves in the water almost instantly thanks to its active ingredient.
For more information click: Use of quick shock chlorine
NON-stabilized chlorine
What is unstabilized chlorine?
Unstabilized chlorine is chlorine to which cyanuric acid (a pool stabilizer) has not been added.
Of course, it is much more unstable, it must be handled with care because it does not contain a stabilizer, so it is much more sensitive to the effects of the sun.
Shock treatment for pools with NON-stabilized chlorine
Calcium hypochlorite
Properties as a disinfectant, fungicide, bactericide and microbicide agent
Calcium hypochlorite is the most popular disinfectant among private pool owners; and can be supplied in powder or tablet form.
For more info: Using granular pool chlorine
Advantages Calcium Hypochlorite
- Water and energy consumption can be reduced
- Minimizes the need for pH corrections
- Helps protect the plant from corrosion
- Does not increase cyanuric acid levels
- Improves water quality and bather comfort
- It is easier to achieve balanced water
- Helps control total dissolved solids
- Particularly for pools with plaster surfaces, hypo lime helps saturate the water with calcium to reduce the risk of etching.
Pros and Cons of Pool Shock Treatment WITHOUT Chlorine
PROS of CHLORINE-FREE pool shock treatment
- Quick release, fast acting, no residue, no odor
- pH balanced to near neutral pH
- Oxidizes organic contaminants to purify water.
- Eliminates chloramines and ammonia
- No need to pre-dissolve, pour into the pool
- Swim immediately, no waiting period
- Will not discolor or discolor vinyl liners or swimsuits
- Will not add calcium or cyanuric acid to the pool
CONS CHLORINE-FREE pool shock treatment
- It is not as effective for treating algae.
- It is not as effective for treating bacteria.
Types of shock treatment WITHOUT chlorine pool
1st type of shock treatment for pools WITHOUT chlorine
Potassium monopersulfate
What is potassium monopersulfate
Potassium monopersulfate composition = active oxygen
Potassium monopersulfate (monopersulfate, KMPS or MPS) is a granular, free-flowing, all-oxygen (white peroxygen) shock chemical that provides powerful chlorine-free oxidation for a wide variety of uses. and with multiple advantages.
Advantages of potassium monopersulfate
- To start, the active oxygen shock product, as its name indicates, will oxidize your pool water and eliminate any contaminants it contains.
- This chemical will also not alter the amount of cyanuric acid your pool contains.
- On the other hand, the chlorine that is already in your pool should see an increase in its effectiveness once the pool has had this chemical applied.
- Also, a main benefit of using this substance is that it dissolves very quickly and only requires you to wait 15 minutes before starting to swim once it has been added.
- Finally, some additional benefits of using this substance include the effective removal of ammonia and chloramines, and the fact that it will not damage vinyl or liner siding.
Disadvantage active oxygen
- The only problem with using this shock chemical is that it is not as effective when used to treat algae or bacteria.
2nd type of shock treatment for pools WITHOUT chlorine
Bleach pool shock treatment
Chemistry of bleach
How bleach can replace chlorine in the pool
Bleach contains the same chemical, sodium hypochlorite, as pool chlorine, but the concentrations are different. Thus, the concentration of sodium hypochlorite in pool chlorine is between 10 and 15 percent, while in bleach it is only 5 to 6 percent.
Using bleach as a bleach pool shock treatment
Due to the lower concentration of sodium hypochlorite in bleach, you will need at least twice as much bleach as pool chlorine., and keeping in mind that the goal of the discharge is to increase the free chlorine concentration (temporarily) from 5 to 10 ppm, which could add up to a large amount of bleach.
Roughly, the idea is to cast about 250 ml. of bleach every day for every 10 m² of water that is in the pool.
How to shock chlorinate the pool with bleach
- Test the pH of your pool water y lower it if it's too high. Chlorine quickly loses its effectiveness when the pH is above 7,8. Ideally, the pH should be between 7,2 and 7,4.
- Use your test kit to check the cyanuric acid level in the pool. It should be between 20 and 50 ppm. If it is too low, add a stabilizer to pool water to increase concentration. Follow the instructions on the packaging of the stabilizer product you use.
- Measure the volume of your pool to determine the amount of bleach you need. Multiply the width of the pool by the length and multiply again by the average water depth to find the water volume. Calculate the amount of bleach you need based on the fact that 4 liters will increase the free chlorine level of 100,000 liters of water by 2 ppm. If you need to lightly shock a 30.000 gallon pool by raising the free chlorine concentration to 5 ppm, you need 9 liters of bleach. To increase it to 10 ppm, you need 19 liters.
- Add the bleach in the late afternoon or early evening. Pour it along the edge of the pool as you walk the perimeter; never pour it into the skimmer.
- Circulate the water for several hours after adding the lye, to ensure it is completely mixed.
Video tutorial how to chlorinate a pool with bleach
3st type of shock treatment for pools WITHOUT chlorine
Bromine shock treatment
What is pool bromine
First of all, inform that bromine for swimming pools is a halogen, that is, a chemical substance, which It acts very effectively as a pool water treatment.It should be noted that, The maintenance of a pool with bromine has become one of the best alternatives to perform periodic maintenance on swimming pools.
Advantages of bromine over chlorine
And, bromine or chlorine pools? Bromine for swimming pools is one of the best options compared to traditional disinfection with chlorine.
- Bromine remains effective at higher pH levels than chlorine.
- Bromine is more stable at higher temperatures than chlorine.
- Bromines retain lethal power, chloramines do not.
- Bromines do not wash off the surface of the water like chloramines do.
- Bromine can be reactivated or reused by adding granular oxidant (shock).
Instructions for use bromine shock treatment
- Shock treatment: 100 g of bromine for 10 m³ of water.
- We should not add the product directly to the pool, but we will dissolve it in a bucket with water
Pool water maintenance with bromine
- What is bromine for swimming pools
- Which is better, chlorine or bromine?
- Advantages of Bromine Pools
- Pool water disinfection with bromine
- Pool bromine formats
- Tips for maintenance with Bromine for swimming pools
- So, we leave you the page in case you want to obtain more information about:
- Next, in case it is important to you, we provide you with the link to: Treatment of pool water with bromine.
Video tutorial Shock treatment WITHOUT chlorine pool
Later, video tutorial shock treatment without chlorine pool; Ideal for children, people with dermatitis or allergies.