Pool Chlorine vs Pool Shock: What's the Difference?

[@steven.h0629]

Wow.. this has to be the best presentation ever on the subject.. thanks! 👍😎✊

[@poolonomics]

Thank you so much! New video dropping in the next 24 hours. :)

[@lyndamodeste7902]

Great information, exactly what I needed to know. Thank you ❤

[@debbannon354]

We are wondering about the 'DryTec 1-1901-24 Calcium Hypochlorite Chlorine Shock Treatment for Swimming Pools, 1-Pound' . It says on package to broadcast over water in pool, but some floated and some sank to bottom where we had to use the brush to stir up until it dissolved. Is it okay to dissolve in a bucket of water before pouring it in, even though it says not to do that, on the package? Is there any dangerous reason not to dissolve it first? Thanks!

[@joesmith9053]

i always disolve my shock first

[@Imwright720]

Are you still supposed to use shock in a salt water pool.

[@poolonomics]

Absolutely! Saltwater pools are really just chlorine pools with their own source of chlorine - but this is a low-level, residual source of chlorine that's designed to fight off everyday contaminants. Shock is still required for all the reasons mentioned in the video.

[@paradiselover7580]

Can I just use shock then and forget the chlorine?

[@poolonomics]

I mean, you could. The problem is, if you shock whenever your free chlorine level is low, most of that extra chlorine will burn off within a few hours at very little benefit to you. Even worse, if you have lots of cyanuric acid in the water, much of that chlorine will stay in the water instead - which results in a very high (and probably unsafe) level for swimming. Basically, shocking every time is inefficient at best, and dangerous at worst.

[@drdrew3]

Shock is much more expensive than chlorine and only lasts about 3 days. With shock you never have a stable chlorine level - just a huge spike and then a rapid fall back to zero. Shocking that often irritates swimmer’s skin and is harmful to equipment over time

[@prebaned]

Shock chlorine has no cya stabilizer, chlorine does. Your welcome.

[@oldbiker57]

I have a question about shocking a pool. I bought Clorox shock in one pound bags. They say in the instructions. "Broadcast in pool's deepest area with filter and pump on. Run filter and pump for 4-8 hours. DO NOT pre-dissolve. DO NOT add through skimmer or feeder, and DO NOT mix with other chemicals". My above ground pool is only one depth. When I add the powder it just sinks to the bottom which I believe caused my liner to fade in certain areas. Why not pre-dissolve? Is it better to use liquid chlorine for shock instead of powder to avoid this problem in the future?

[@aleskorencan3343]

Yes, use liquid shock if available. If not, pre-dissolve powder chlorine.

[@poolonomics]

It's difficult to say why those instructions are given for Clorox shock as that's not typically the norm. If it were me, I'd rather dissolve in a bucket than risk further liner damage but you should monitor the effectiveness of your shock treatment if going this route. I'd also agree with the other comment that liquid shock is probably a better solution in your case moving forward.

[@suzbone]

I have a 10'x30" pool and I use a pool broom to stir after applying powders.

[@debbannon354]

I am wondering the same thing about 'DryTec 1-1901-24 Calcium Hypochlorite Chlorine Shock Treatment for Swimming Pools, 1-Pound' . It says on package to broadcast over water in pool, but some floated and some sank to bottom where we had to use the brush to stir up until it dissolved. Is it okay to dissolve in a bucket of water before pouring it in, even though it says not to do that, on the package? Is there any dangerous reason not to dissolve it first? Thanks!

[@poolonomics]

We wouldn't normally advise going against the manacturers instructions but if it's not working as intended, pre-dissolving in a bucket is certainly not a bad idea. Give it a try and let me know how it goes.@@debbannon354

[@zelli63]

What about 35% hydrogen peroxide? Can this be used as a shock - treatment.

[@patb5923]

That’s almost like bio cell, it’s way more expensive and more of a pain to keep up on. In if you want to go back to chlorine. You’d have to drain pool clean really good and clean filter and pump. It’s not really worth going that route.

[@OfficeASHE]

:O

[@pleasureincontempt3645]

I really dispise the overuse of Chlorine to simplify terms. Chlorine is a gas. Only liquid under pressure and super dangerous.