Keeping your pool clean and hygienic requires adequate chemical balance. Pool shock is one of the most critical aspects of pool care. So, what is it, what is the chemical name- what pool shock is, and how does it relate to your swimming pool?
This article will go into the chemistry of pool shock, the types of pool shock available, and how a robotic pool cleaner can help keep the overall cleanliness of the pool. We will also discuss important pool cleaners like skimmers, robot pool vacuums, and other pool-cleaning machines that are great for a healthy pool.
What Is Pool Shock?
Typically, Pool shock is a strong dose of chlorine or other disinfectants added to water to kill harmful bacteria and the algae and other microorganisms in a swimming pool. It is a critical step for basic pool maintenance, particularly after heavy use, rain showers, or high temperatures. This type of shock treatment raises the concentration of chlorine in the water temporarily, killing bacteria and helping to clarify the water.
When it comes to pool shock there are a few different types that you could be using but the chemical name most commonly associated with pool shock would be calcium hypochlorite (Ca(OCl)₂). This compound is often used as a pool shock because it releases a high amount of chlorine quickly, making it ideal for killing bacteria and preventing algae growth. Other forms of pool shock are sodium dichloroisocyanurate and potassium monopersulfate, but the most widely used in the industry is calcium hypochlorite.
How Does Pool Shock Work?
When you add pool shock to the water, it raises the chlorine levels and it works to break down organic matter that has found its way into the pool — sweat, oils, debris, bacteria, and algae. This is crucial to prevent problems in your pool like algae build-up, cloudy water, and contaminants that normal pool cleaner robots can not eliminate.
Shocking will also help to “reset” the pool’s chemical balance. It is important in closed water systems to understand that pool water is also prone to contamination over time — chloramines are by-products of chlorine that chemically react with contaminants present in the pool water. It can turn their water foul-smelling and irritate skin and eyes. Shocking breaks down chloramines which keep your pool water fresh and clean.
Types of Pool Shock
Calcium Hypochlorite (Cal-Hypo)
Calcium Hypochlorite: This is the most frequently used pool shock, and contains approximately 65-70% available chlorine. It works quickly and efficiently to destroy bacteria and algae. But it can increase calcium carbon levels in your pool, so when you use this type of shock, monitor your pool’s calcium levels.
Sodium Dichloroisocyanurate
This makes it a stabilized type of shock, meaning it won’t increase your calcium hardness levels. It is supplied in granular and tablet form and dissolves more readily than calcium hypochlorite. Suitable for pool owners who use salt water.
Potassium Monopersulfate
This is a non-chlorine shock that is mainly used for oxidation. While it doesn’t dive into just those chemicals, it works to sanitize & break down organic materials and contaminants in the pool. If you want a shock to sanitize your pool without drastically changing its chemical balance, it’s a good choice.
Lithium Hypochlorite
Another type of chlorine-based shock treatment, lithium hypochlorite dissolves quickly and is less likely to create cloudiness in the water. It tends to cost a bit more than calcium hypochlorite and can be utilized on pools with lower calcium hardness.
Why Is Pool Shock Necessary?
Several reasons make shocking your pool important:
Eliminates Bacteria and Germs: Pool water can accumulate bacteria, germs, and other harmful microorganisms over time. Shocking your pool is a process that helps to kill these contaminants and keep your water safe to swim in.
Fights Algae Growth: Algae can take over a pool in no time, especially when temperatures rise or the water’s chemical balance is not right. At this time of year, algae blooms bloom, which is removed by pool shock.
Super System To Clear Cloudy Water: Your pool water may be muddy because of organic materials, and most of the time you can not get clear water. Shocking the pool can help disintegrate these materials, restoring clarity to the water and increasing visibility.
Reduces Chloramines — Chloramines are a byproduct formed when chlorine elements oxidize organic matter, irritating your skin, eyes, and respiratory system. The shocking process aids in the disintegration of these compounds by ensuring better water quality.
If you have one of those swimming pools, you probably know the importance of maintaining cleanliness and using chlorine to treat infections. However, you also know that using chlorine may not be sufficient to keep your pool water always fresh. This is where pool shock comes into play. Pool shock is a powerful sanitizer used to shock your pool to kill bacteria and organic matter. It is a good oxidizing agent and is readily available in powder form or a granular substance. Here’s how you can use pool shock correctly.
Proper use of pool shock is essential to achieving optimal results. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
Test the Pool Water: Use a pool testing kit to check chlorine, pH, and alkalinity levels before adding shock.
Step 2: Figure Out How Much Shock You Need The amount of pool shock required will depend on your pool size and the type of shock you’re using. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for the appropriate dosage.
Disperse the Shock: Pool shock should be added in the evening or at night to guard against sunlight reducing its effectiveness. Melt the shock in a bucket full of water and slowly pour it around the pool’s outer edges, paying extra attention to areas with bad water circulation.
Wait and Filter: After shocking, set the pool filter in motion for a minimum of 8 hours to aid in dispersing the shock and clear up the debris. Consider also using a robotic pool cleaner such as the Beatbot AquaSense or a robot pool vacuum to assist in capturing debris that may have been disturbed by the shock.
Retest: 24 hours later, test your pool water again to verify that chlorine levels have dropped to a safe range (1-3 ppm).
Can a Robotic Pool Cleaner Be Used after Shocking?
Yes! Post-shocking your pool, utilize a pool cleaning robot such as the Beatbot iSkim Ultra or Beatbot AquaSense Pro to eliminate any debris or particles that may have been loosened during the shock process. When it comes to having a clean pool, nothing is better than these robotic swimming pool cleaner systems that clean the floor of the pool as well as the walls and the waterline.
Conclusion
To summarize, muriatic acid is not commonly used with pool shock because shock is generally a chlorine-based chemical for treating water. Calcium hypochlorite is the most common chemical name for pool shock, although the needs of your particular pool may inspire other choices. Frequent shocking and correct use of a pool cleaner, pool skimmers, and other pool maintenance equipment will keep your pool clean, clear, and safe to swim in.
To keep your pool clean, consider getting either a Beatbot AquaSense Pro or a Beatbot AquaSense, both of which will also ensure that all the chemicals you’ll introduce to your pool after shocking will stay balanced, so you can continue using it year-round without stress.
