As the name suggests, this does increase calcium levels in your pool. The type of pool shock you should use depends on the type of pool you have and why youre shocking your pool. But using too much chlorine in a short period could also skew the other chemicals in your pool and create additional problems.

This can lead to eye irritation swollen, itchy, red eyes are nobodys idea of fun. These typically let you swim about 15 minutes after treating your pool, but you should always read the label and follow the instructions. There are lots of different pool shock treatments available, so it's important to find the right one to suit your pool maintenance needs. Some versions can be broadcasted directly into your water or you may be required to pre-dissolve it before adding it to your pool. Tablet pool shock is a little unconventional, as tablets take longer to dissolve and are therefore usually better as a slower release sanitizer, than as a shock.

The type of shock you choose is also an important decision! One bag is enough to treat 13,500 gallons. If youre using it often, one of my favorite things about this shock is its available in a lot of bulk sizes 6, 12, or 24 count 1-pound bags or in a 50- or 100-pound bulk bucket. This means it quickly eradicates contaminants like algae and bacteria. The most common pool shock treatments are chlorine-based to kill bacteria, but others are chlorine-free and oxidize the water to burn contaminants and many contain algaecide too. Its much easier to just open a packet and pour it straight in. In The Swim Chlorine Pool Shock - 12 X 1 Pound Bags, Nava Chemicals StarPlus 1-1301-12 Chlorinating Shock Treatment for Swimming Pools, 1-Pound, 12-Pack, In The Swim Chlorine-Free Oxidizing Pool Shock 24 x 1 Pound Bags, HTH 52028 Ultimate Shock Treatment Swimming Pool Chlorine Cleaner, 1 lb (Pack of 6), Doheny's Chlorine Super Shock - 24 x 1 lb. Subscribe to keep up to date with top products to buy online. As the name suggests, this acts as a kind of shock to the pool, killing all bacteria, removing chloramines, getting rid of algae, and raising the effective chlorine levels back up to a sufficient standard. This stabilizer essentially acts as a sunscreen for your chlorine. There are lots of different pool shock treatments available and it can be difficult to decide whats right for you. You can throw the PH balance off which can irritate skin and corrode pool equipment. Michael has over 25 years of experience in the swimming pool industry. Thats why its best to use either dichlor shock or non-chlorine shock for regular saltwater pool maintenance and cal-hypo shock for algae issues. The active ingredient in this pool shock is calcium hypochlorite. If you want to shock your pool without affecting your CYA levels, use shock without added cyanuric acid (like cal-hypo shock). Its a naturally occurring chemical process that happens when your chlorine does its job. There are plenty of tips on how to shock a hot tub in our dedicated guide too. This shock is also fantastic if you have problems with calcium hardness. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Participation in these programs helps us keep the lights on at PoolResearch.com and in no way impacts our research process or editorial opinions. No nasty leftover chemicals to dispose of. Questions? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We wont rent or sell or spam your email. The high potency of chlorine has visible effects, especially in a dirty or cloudy swimming pool. It wont fade any pool liners, making it the best shock for pool opening money can buy right now, and it even works to reduce eye irritation caused by pool water too. If you do find granules settle on the bottom of your pool, to avoid damage you can pre-mix shock with water in a bucket and ensure it's completely dissolved before adding it to your pool. This effective shock treatment is ideal for the weekly cleaning of your swimming pool. As it takes longer to dissolve, you also have to wait longer until you can swim. It'll help you save $100 right away on pool care! Thats because the salt in a saltwater pool is converted into chlorine by a salt-chlorine generator. Feel free to drop me a line, always happy to help. Its powerful enough to kill contaminants and stop algae growth (similar to an algaecide). Overall, this pool shock is a great buy. We looked at 35 different pool shock solutions, finding the hth Pool Shock Super Shock Treatment to be the best option for most people due to its strong bacterial-killing potential, 4-in-1 formula, ease-of-use, and compatibility with salt water systems. Read on to learn how to shop for pool shock, how to use pool shock, and how to make the most of the top pool shock solutions out there. The main ingredient in this pool shock, potassium monopersulfate, works to reactivate inactive forms of chlorine in your pool. The process of eliminating non-sanitizing chlorine and reactivating sanitizing chlorine will help keep your pool free of algae and other dirty microbes that could create issues for you. In this case, better to use our top pick above instead. You should consider all of these different factors, along with the price, in order to find a pool shock that works for you. The composition of this oxidizing pool shock is compatible with virtually any type of sanitized pool.

Heres How to Fix It, How to Install a Pool Pump Timer (With Wiring Diagram), Powerful chlorine shock treatment that is great for regular maintenance, Quickly eliminates algae, bacteria, and other harmful contaminants from your pool water, Main active ingredient is 68% Calcium Hypochlorite (Cal-Hypo) for quick sanitizing. Though its not the most critical factor, its worth considering how long it will take for your pool shock product to be effective. And some shocks are better than others at clearing up your water. This is also a great option for smaller, above ground pools since traditional chlorine shock takes longer to dissipate.

Plants The high dosage of chlorine works to shock your pool quickly by getting rid of any foreign matter in the water. Also, if you use too much, HTH Spa Non-Chlorinating Shock Oxidizer can affect the PH levels as the active ingredient, monopersulfate, is acidic. Sodium-dichlor has the advantage of lasting longer, but usually has a slower application process. Opting for this potassium mono sulfate shock gives you a gentler pool shock alternative without affecting your other chemistry levels. Pool shock with CYA stabilizes the chlorine to make it last longer in the pool and in the sunlight. (Summer 2022), 7 Best Pool Pump Timers Reduce Your Electricity Bills! The powder not only works to clear up your pool water by killing bacteria, but it also can help improve filter performance. Next, you need to think about the capacity of your chosen pool shock product. Automatic Pool Chlorinators: How Do They Work and Are They Worth It? Powerful oxidizing agent that eliminates combined non-sanitizing chlorine (chloramines) and provides higher free chlorine levels. Have more questions about picking out the right pool shock for your swimming pool? Using pool shock products like hth Pool Shock Super Shock Treatment can seem a little overwhelming, especially if you dont have much experience. There are many different options out there, and pool shock comes in various forms, with different ingredients, recommended dosages, capacities, and more. The only downside is that you have to spend quite a lot of time measuring out the pH of your pool and calculating the right dosage too. It even improves your filter performance and reduces eye irritation. Not only that, but as time goes by, the chlorine level in your pool just isnt strong enough to deal with build-ups of bacteria and algae, making your pool water dirty and unattractive. So avoid using this kind of pool shock if your water test kit shows higher than normal cyanuric acid levels. Heres why you can trust us. On the downside, its only sold in 1lb bottles so you may have to order a few if you want to stock up for future shocks. The first thing to note about this pool shock is that it comes with the best usage instructions of almost any option out there. Unstabilized shock should only be used at night. This also applies to chlorine, so be sure to read my guide on unstabilized vs. stabilized chlorine. However higher chlorine levels are necessary for treating green water, problematic pools, or sanitizing after lots of swimmers have been present. Shock has a much higher concentration of chlorine compared to chlorine sanitizers. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. That strong chlorine odor is a result of the buildup of chloramines in the water, not an indication that the pool itself is clean. Most experts recommend doing it weekly. One of the first things to think about when it comes to pool shock solutions is whether you want to use a powdered version, like Pool Essentials Shock Treatment, or a liquid variant. This is why pool shocking is so important, and the best pool shock can really make a difference in the long run. Cal-hypo shock should only be used at night because its unstabilized chlorine and the suns UV rays can burn away. If you click this link and make a purchase, we earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Even pool owners who take excellent care of their pool water deal with algae issues. The In The Swim Chlorine Pool Shock, for example, is compatible with salt water systems, while the Pool Essentials Shock Treatment is great for clearing up cloudy water. The 68% active ingredient of Calcium Hypochlorite works quickly to eliminate all harmful contaminants in your water after every use. It is also very quick; you only have to wait about an hour before entering the tub. Green Algae: Use a double dose of pool shock, Yellow or Dark Green Algae: Use a triple dose of pool shock, Black Algae: Use a quadruple dose of pool shock. And each year, he continues to help more people with water chemistry, cleaning, and troubleshooting. Non-Chlorine Shock: Is It Better For Your Pool Than Chlorine? Scale refers to calcium and mineral buildup that can result from the use of certain chemicals in your pool. Because pool shock like Clorox Pool&Spa Shock XtraBlue provides such an effective and powerful form of cleaning, the best time to use a pool shock solution is when your pool is starting to smell strange or showing signs of algae build-up. If the pH level is too high, the water is too basic, or alkaline. ", "Its the best chlorine shock for pool you can buy if you want to reduce the undesirable chlorine odor in your water and clear up cloudiness in the water too. It is also less strong than our top pick, so it may not be the best option if your pool sees heavy use or has a lot of contaminants. Its not recommended to use bleach in place of a shock. Spring openings and pools that have extensive algae blooms may require 2-3 Made in the USA: Doheny's Super Shock is manufactured and packaged in the USA, Main active ingredient is 68% Calcium Hypochlorite, High chlorine amount is extra effective for killing bacteria and pathogens, Shock is not pre-measured if purchased in large amounts, Clears cloudy water and removes swimmer contaminants, Treat and Swim in 15 minutes if free chlorine is between 1 to 4 ppm, Main ingredient is 58% Sodium Dichloro-s-triazinetrione, with 37% available chlorine, Lower percentage of available chlorine may make the product less effective. This does make the whole process less convenient though. This product can be used approximately once a month, but actual usage amounts will vary according to your pools conditions. All rights reserved. The only downside is that it has quite large granules which can gather on pool floors or in filters. Using a pool shock with sodium trichloro-s-triazinetrione or sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione as the active ingredient is ideal after heavy use. Often saltwater systems come with a high setting you can use to produce more chlorine and shock the pool, however, we dont recommend using this regularly, as it can shorten the lifespan of the system. However, it will affect your other chemical levels. The frequency of shock treatments will vary according to the conditions of your pool but should be around once a week. If youre unsure about how to use this type of shock, head over to my guide on non-chlorine shock. Next up, we come to our Budget Pick for this list: the Clorox Pool&Spa Shock XtraBlue pool shock treatment. You could premix any powder shock or measure out liquid shock, but this is our favorite way to go as its the easiest option. Use At The Right Time In general, you should be shocking your pool every two weeks, or even every week if you use the pool on a daily basis. Next, you need to think about the key active ingredient in each product. You can use cal-hypo shock for algae issues, but it can raise your calcium levels. Instead of remembering to add this separately, do it all in one. Our guide reveals all there is to know about deadheading hydrangeas so you can keep your shrubs looking beautiful for longer, By Holly Crossley But non-chlorine shock is the most gentle and wont affect your other chemistry levels. But its what gives a pool that chlorine-like smell. It is strong enough to work even if your backyard pool sees heavy use and it is affordable too. A super shock treatment is more concentrated than the standard version. If you have issues with calcium scale buildup due to hard water, this may not be the best choice for you. Since then, his mission is to make pool and hot tub care easy for everyone.

Follow Proper Safety Procedure Wear goggles and gloves to protect yourself when shocking the pool and even consider a chemical mask to avoid inhaling harmful chlorine gas. Its a very close second; it only misses out on the top spot as it is less potent, with only 56% calcium hypochlorite.

If youre still having issues with cloudy water after a few days, consider using a pool clarifier or pool flocculant. The most effective pool shock treatment depends on your pools condition and the type of pool you have.

We also really like the resealable bottles, rather than the single-use bags that the other pool shocks on our list come in. Adding too much shock can disrupt the chemical balance in your pool water. Find out why. The difference between these two kinds of pool shock comes down to the concentration of calcium hypochlorite. But a saltwater pool and chlorine pool both contain chlorine. Coming from arguably the best pool shock brand in the business, this easy-to-use product can simply be poured directly into the pool and is delivered in easy-open bottles with powerful bacteria and algae-fighting crystals inside. And it will also raise your waters pH levels, so if the pH is high after shocking, youll need to balance it. Any pool shock that includes Sodium Dichlor will be considered a stabilized pool shock. There are powder, liquid, and tablet pool shocks available. For shallower pools and/or pools with vinyl liners, like above-ground pools, you will want to take extra care to find a pool shock that dissolves quickly. While bleach does contain the active ingredient chlorine, its in a lesser concentration than in most pool shock products. Pool shocking is a great part of a general pool maintenance routine, but its not the only option. As the system is creating chlorine from the salt, shock works the same as in any other pool. But that means it will add 0.9 ppm of cyanuric acid for every ppm of additional free chlorine. These are powerful chemicals and wed prefer to keep our contact with them to a minimum. Which one is better: a salt water pool vs. a chlorine pool? Here are the main four criteria that went into my research and that you should consider when youre picking up some new pool shock. Here are some tips to make the most of these products: Shocking your pool is an essential part of good pool maintenance, but you need to remember that the chemicals contained in a typical pool shock product can be very dangerous if handled without the proper care. Another key thing to think about in regard to pool shock treatments is dosage. Using too low of a chlorine level will not be useful.

But getting the right kind of pool shock is critical for keeping your water clean and clear. And low pH can cause pool equipment corrosion. More features: compatible with salt water systems, 4-in-1 treatment. We explain what to do when the blooms fade, August gardening jobs: 12 easy tasks to complete this month, Tips, advice and inspiration on how to maintain your garden, Weekly issues delivered direct to your door or device. This is especially important if you have a vinyl liner, as granules could damage it and cause leaks. All rights reserved. When you shock your pool, youre adding enough chemicals (usually chlorine) to clean the water and remove the chloramine buildup. If you need help balancing your pH levels, check out our guide to Basic Pool Chemistry 101.

But before you dive in, youll need the best pool shock for your swimming pool.

It comes in easy open and easy pour bottles, making application a real breeze. More features: algae-fighting crystals (green, black and mustard algae), reduces chlorine odor and eye irritation, improves filter performance. Oxidizing shock treatments burn up organic contaminants which essentially frees up sanitizer so that it can work more effectively. He also holds multiple patents for pool performance products he has engineered over the years. Powders are quick-dissolving. You simply pour the bag straight into the deepest part of the pool and leave overnight with the pump running. The difference between a traditional pool and a saltwater pool is simple: youre adding salt to one and adding chlorine to the other. Is a non-chlorine shock right for your pool? ", "This top quality pool shock treatment comes in packages of 24 1lb bags. We looked for the most readily available, best value, and easiest pool shocks to use, whether you have an above-ground pool or an inground pool. This product is only available in pre-portioned, 1-pound bags. Shocking involves adding a strong dose of chemicals to the pool water to eliminate contaminants. She also loves spending time out in the backyard, relaxing in the hammock on her beautiful patio. You can also find lower percentage dichlor products (15% to 20%) that work as shock-and-swim options. The main ingredient in In The Swim Chlorine Pool Shock is calcium hypochlorite, which works quickly and actively to sanitize your pool and clear away bacteria. Clorox Pool&Spa Shock XtraBlue, for example, is our Budget Pick for this list due to its super low price, while still being a highly effective product. If used correctly though, this is all you need to keep your spa water sparkling clean. If youve had a long day at work and you fancy a quick soak, this shock can be ready by the time the tub reaches temperature. Deciding on the best pool shock for you is not an easy decision. Regularly shocking your pool can seem daunting, but its a great way to keep your pool looking clean and safe for your family to swim in. This means that the DryTec Shock Treatment is a good option if youre a bit of a newbie to the world of pool shocking and are feeling worried about making mistakes or doing it wrong. Whether you need a remodel, a new pool, or just some maintenance help, HomeAdvisor will find the best professional for the job. Dealing with algae or green pool water?

By the morning you should have crystal clear water that's ready for swimming. Check the pH level after you add the shock and check it again before getting into the pool to make sure your pH level has returned to normal.

More features: eliminates algae and bacteria, destroys organic contaminants, certified by NSF for drinking water applications. It is also saltwater pool compatible and will not alter any of the other chemicals in your pool. Its highly effective at bringing the chlorine levels back up to a satisfying standard and getting rid of any harmful oils and microbes too, and its one of the best shock for salt water pool you can buy. Learn more about our process, Chosen by 4486 people in the past 30 days, Chosen by 9007 people in the past 30 days, Chosen by 4672 people in the past 30 days, Chosen by 5336 people in the past 30 days, Chosen by 6000 people in the past 30 days. The blue coloring lets you track the spread of the product and see for yourself that the shock treatment is at work. For regular use though, this shock works great. Everything is very clearly labeled on the bags and the manufacturer has taken the time to provide easy to follow, step by step instructions for use. We love that theyve made it so easy by pre-portioning into small 1lb bags so theres no need to do any measuring at all. You can add non-chlorine shock to your pool water anytime day or night. Taking the top spot, In the Swim Super Pool Shock Treatment is the strongest pool shock on our list with 73% available chlorine. It helps to control algae, destroy organic contaminants, and kill bacteria too, being available in individual packs, 12 packs, or 24 packs for your convenience. Copyright 2022 HouseAndBeyond.org. Your email address will not be published. However, if you have just had a hot tub party, we would recommend using something a little more potent.

The product dissolves quickly in the water, making your pool safe to swim in within about 30 minutes of the application. In The Swim Cal-Hypo Non-Stabilized Pool Chlorine Granules - 25 lbs. Should you switch from granules to chlorine tablets? A pool chlorinator is an easy way of automatically dispensing chlorine into your pool. Never swim while the tablet is dissolving and follow all of the manufacturers directions about swim time. If the cyanuric acid (CYA) level is high, adding this shock with cyanuric acid mixed in is not a good idea. Or keep reading for a breakdown of how pool shock works, the different types of pool shock, and when to use each one. Pour Slowly And Evenly Pour the shock slowly and evenly all around the pool to avoid splashing and ensure even distribution. "This 4-in-1 option is fast-acting, fast-dissolving solution with a pretty small overall dosage, making it great for larger pools or efficient owners. However, in our buying guide list we focused on powdered pool shocks as these are the most readily available and the easiest to use. This is the preferred way to shock a saltwater pool or a hot tub. The shock can be dissolved in warm water or poured directly into the pool for easy use. Like our second pick above, this shock contains a pool stabilizer so it is also great for use in sunny pools to prevent the UV from eating up the chlorine. He has built pools and natural landscapes for hundreds of homes and businesses across the country. In general, we recommend the following pool shock: Want more help picking out the best pool shock for your pool? As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This is why most pool shock products come with a Swim After notice that lets you know when the water will be safe to swim in again, and you should never get into a pool that has been shocked until the recommended time limit has passed. These shocks do contain chlorine but it is stabilized so it fares better in the heat. Its not quite a liquid shock, so cant be classed as the best liquid pool shock around, but it does function quite similarly in that you can just pour it right into the pool, rather than having to dilute or dissolve it first. And which chemicals should you choose? Are there any safety issues when using a pool shock? The Visible Blue action included in this product allows it to appear blue while in use in the water. However, it is unstabilized chlorine, meaning it does not contain cyanuric acid and it wont increase your CYA levels. It could be several days before you see real results in the clarity of your water. Simply add the pool shock to your water at dusk, circulate your water and check your pool the next day. The manufacturers of this stabilized pool shock guarantee that using this product will not lead to scale build-up in your pool. And cal-hypo shock is notorious for causing scale build-up in saltwater pools. Looking to kill the algae in your pool? If the sun comes out and you suddenly feel the urge to soak in the pool, the Clorox Pool & Spa Shock Xtra Blue is the shock for you. The chlorine evaporates too quickly and it can cause calcium buildup in a small volume of water. This non-chlorinating shock is perfect for regular use in your spa. The two main ingredients to know are calcium hypochlorite, found in In The Swim Chlorine Pool Shock, and sodium dichlor, found in Clorox Pool&Spa Shock XtraBlue. Calcium hypochlorite shock, or cal-hypo shock, is the most powerful shock treatment for both regular pool maintenance and problematic pool water. The best shock for pool options always let you know how long you need to wait and some of them are super fast, like the Clorox Pool&Spa Shock XtraBlue, which lets you get back into the water within just 15 minutes! It will dissipate too quickly during the day! Found usually in granule form, cal-hypo shock is readily available, affordably priced, and straightforward to use. Use After Pool Parties If you host a pool party or other event where the pool is used a lot, be sure to shock it the next day to clean away all the oils and skin cells. There are several other things you should be doing if you want to keep your pool clean of dirt, debris, bugs, bacteria, and more. You also need to consider the pH and chlorine level of each product, as this will affect the chemical composition of your swimming pool water and could have different effects on certain pool liners and other materials. Before even thinking about reading through the best pool shock reviews and buying the best pool shock treatment for your swimming pool, you need to actually know and understand what pool shock is and why its so important. Shock your pool once a week during the pool season to help keep algae at bay and kickstart your sanitizer. However, it may require multiple doses, depending on your situation. You can pour the bag straight into the deepest part of the pool, leave it overnight with the pump running and youre good to go. Matt Giovanisci is the founder of Swim University and has been in the pool and spa industry since 1995. At these high temperatures, they would lose their effectiveness very quickly. These August gardening jobs are the best way to keep the garden looking great in late summer. However, its not suitable for saltwater pools, hot tubs, or even smaller-sized pools. Since shocking needs to be on a regular basis, it makes sense to stock up and have a lot of shock treatment ready to use. It can have your pool swim-ready in as little as 15 minutes.

You will need to add significantly more liquid chlorine than you would cal-hypo shock if you want to oxidize chloramines in your pool. The best pool shock for above-ground pools, Fast dissolving formula - swim in 15 minutes, The best pool shock for spas and hot tubs, Not as effective for killing algae or bacteria, We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices. Just be sure to shock it at night when the sun wont burn up the unstabilized chlorine. Occasionally adding too much shock wont be an issue, but do it too often and you risk damaging your pool equipment or your vinyl liner. It effectively removes bacteria and other hazardous contaminants to keep pool water clean and it does it at a very budget-friendly price.

If you use your pool a lot, you may find yourself having to use this shock more often as it has less available chlorine to clear contaminants. This is the most expensive entry on our list, but you get a lot of bang for your buck, as this top quality pool shock treatment comes in packages of 24 1lb bags. Even if youre habitual in managing your pool's chemistry, youll still need to shock your pool from time to time. And after adding it to your pool water, youll need to wait 8 hours before swimming again. Here are a few pool maintenance scenarios when it works well and when it doesn't. Pool shock is available in several forms: granule, liquid, and tablet. That basically gives you about a years supply of pool shock, provided you use your pool on a regular basis and shock it every other week. Shocking your pool is essential for clean, clear water. Spas are much hotter than pools which can affect the way chemicals in regular pool shocks work. The next best pool shock is the Pool Essentials Shock Treatment. Check out my top picks for pool shock choices to get an idea of the best options on the market for you right now. Usually though, you shock your pool at night for the best results, so the quick-dissolving formula may not seem super important. We looked at the active ingredients in each pool shock in order to determine how effective it could be at beating bacteria and removing other unwanted elements from your pool water, as well as the recommended dosage to see how much of the product you actually needed to use. Overall, this is a great option if you have a shallower above-ground pool or any pool with a vinyl liner, as you can apply this fast-dissolving powder directly, without having to worry about granules settling and damaging or bleaching your pool.

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