As something required weekly for proper pool maintenance and upkeep, you’ll go through a lot of shock during the summer months. Whether you prefer chlorine or chlorine-free shock, we have you covered at PoolSupplies.com. Choose between shock, super shock, or mega shock to maintain your pool or fight algae, and order the amount you need by weight.
Shock is a highly concentrated dose of your pool sanitizer. It’s typically chlorine-based but can be a different chemical if you don’t have a chlorine pool. It is used to treat pool water and kill bacteria, algae, and other contaminants. Essentially, it’s a more powerful and quicker-acting version of the sanitizer that you usually use to keep your pool clean.
Shock rapidly raises the free chlorine levels in your pool to effectively destroy contaminants such as bacteria, algae, and chloramines. This sanitizes the water, making it cleaner and safer for swimming.
First, you want to ensure all of your pool chemicals are correctly balanced, as a chemical imbalance can reduce the effectiveness of the shock.
Then, dilute your shock in a bucket or a watering can filled with water. Mix it up, and then pour the solution over the surface of your swimming pool, being sure to distribute it as evenly as possible.
It’s always important to defer to the package’s instructions before adding chemicals to your pool. Be sure to avoid direct contact by using rubber gloves and protective eyewear.
During the swimming season, it is recommended that you shock your pool approximately every 7-10 days. Additionally, you should shock your pool after a rainstorm, pool party, or high bathing load. This will help break down any combined chloramines and improve your sanitizer's effectiveness. Shocking your pool also helps restore chlorine levels by eliminating bacterial buildup.
The amount of shock required depends on the size of your pool, the reason for shocking, and the type of shock you are using. Always refer to the recommended amounts on the packaging or our website. As a general guideline, you can use the following estimates:
To calculate how many gallons are in your pool, check out our blog How to Calculate Gallons in a Pool (Without Overthinking It).
For treating algae, it is suggested to use 2 to 6 pounds (or 2 to 6 bags) of shock per 10,000 gallons, depending on the severity of the algae. The greener and darker the water, the more shock you should add.
For regular maintenance, you can use either chlorine-free shock or chlorine-based shock. If you notice algae growth, it is recommended to use chlorine shock or super shock. In the case of an existing algae bloom, consider using super shock. A higher dosage of super shock or mega shock should be considered for severe algae blooms.
