Standard Chemical Maintenance

or the response to:

I Don’t (& Why Do I Need To) Shock The Pool Or Spa

1.        Test Water - Alkalinity level, pH, & Residual Chlorine level. Always test before adding chemicals

           A.        The alkalinity level should be at least 100 ppm. (salt pools 80ppm) , with a pH of at least 7.0 before a shock can safely be added to pool water or a chemical reaction with the chlorine, the acid condition of the water, and the calcium in the pool finish to create black purple stains. If low add sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) at the rate of 1.0 pound per 10,000 gallons to raise the level 10 ppm. High levels (above 150 ppm) are adjusted by adding diluted muriatic acid, but not when the pool is at shock level chlorine and not within the previous four hours before shocking the pool, to prevent the acid, calcium, chlorine reaction.

           B.        If the residual chlorine is at least 1.5 ppm, a standard amount of granular chlorine will be sufficient. If the residual level is below 1.0 ppm, then double the normal amount of granular chlorine. If the level is 0.0 ppm, then triple the normal amount, algae and infectious contaminants have begun to flourish, even if unseen. If the level is 4.0 or above, then the amount of tablets added weekly is too many or the stabilizer levels are excessive and water needs to be drained.

2.        Add Algae Preventer to allow time to penetrate the spores and Phos Free to weaken algae. This will enable the chlorine to be more effective in keeping the pool clear of algae and disease.

3.        Add Baking Soda if needed. Allow time to digest if alkalinity or pH is low, up to four hours.

4.        Add correct amount of Granular chlorine for shocking the pool. This amount is governed by the state of the water, along with the amount of water. The water is sanitized ONLY when the chlorine level reaches a high level sufficient to burn-out (or oxidize) all contaminants. Without this ‘burn-out’ of organic compounds, the water is not sanitary for human use, diseases are not destroyed, even if algae is not present. Sanitation is the MAIN REASON for use of chlorine, not just keeping the water somewhat clear. Tablets alone cannot perform this function, a faster burning, quicker acting granular chlorine is required for this. During the spring and summer months, weekly shocking is required on all pools, or unsanitary conditions can exist.

5.        Add tablets to the floating chlorinator (failed check valves on inline units are susceptible to causing major equipment damage) at the rate of one tablet per 10,000 gallons of water, per week. During the peak of summer weather, 1.5 to 2 tablets per 10,000 gallons may be needed to maintain 1.5 / 2.0 ppm chlorine levels. Tablets are added MERELY to keep the pool from turning green between shocks, not for continuous sanitation. Use of excessive tablets can result in necessitating the draining of the pool to reduce build up of excessive cyanuric acid levels, unsanitary pools that will turn green with a high level of chlorine present. High levels of cyanuric acid (stabilizer) inhibit the action of the chlorine to such a point, that algae and disease can flourish faster than the available chlorine can kill it.

6.        Pools with chlorine generators (salt pools), ozone generators, ionizers, or combinations thereof, may not need tablets, but still need shocking.

To determine if shock level was hit, test the water an hour after shocking.

The chlorine test should be a dark orange.

              Water Temperature ....................... Frequency Of Shock

●            Below 50 degrees f. ........................ 4 - 6 weeks

●            50 - 60 degrees f. ............................ every 3 weeks

●            60 - 70 degrees f. ............................. every 2 weeks

●            Over 70 degrees f. ........................... weekly

Quantity Of Shock Required With 1.0 / 3.0 Residual Chlorine

              Amount of Sanitizer per 10,000 gals .... Type of Sanitizer

●            .75 lb. ...................................................... SODIUM DICHLORO (most often recommended)

●            2.0 lb. ....................................................... CALCIUM HYPOCHLORITE (used on soft water)

●            1.0 lb. ....................................................... POTASSIUM MONOPERSULPHATE