Can I Add Shock and Chlorine at the Same Time

Can I Add Shock and Chlorine at the Same Time – Can you add chlorine and stabilizer at the same time?

Can I Add Shock and Chlorine at the Same Time

Whether you are landscaping around your pool or renovating your old pool from vinyl to fiberglass, it is important to consider the chemicals necessary for up-keep. There is no doubt that adding the right quantity of algaecide and also shocking the pool together are time tested and proven ways for getting rid of that dirty and green water. This is caused by algae growth. However, is it right to do both the things together? Let us find the answers.

It Should Not Be Done Together

While shocking and adding algaecide is effective in getting rid of algae, it should not be done together. This is because when you mix chlorine and algaecide together, it renders both of them useless. Hence, you should first shock the pool and wait for the chlorine levels to fall below 5 PPM. Only then should you introduce algaecide to get the best results.

How to Control Algae

Chlorine when introduced separately combines with algae and kills it. However, when free chlorine combines with algae, very little of it is available for combination with bacteria and other potentially harmful contaminants. When you test the pool, you may find that it is chlorine deficient. Hence, a good way to handle algae is to ensure that the pool is shocked and quickly raise the levels of chlorine to 10 PM or even higher.

Algaecides surely kill algae but they work slowly. This is because they release ions that are positively charged. This attacks the negatively charged algae particles. Since algaecides do not break down in sunlight they remain available in the water much longer.

Chlorine Enhancers

We also should understand that chlorine attacks the various polymer chains in algaecides and it also combined with the ions as far as the metal based ones are concerned. Hence, when you use chlorine and algaecide together, you waste the latter because the pool has just been shocked with chlorine. If you want to increase the potency of chlorine, you could think of adding chlorine enhancer which is also referred super shock treatment. You could add sodium bromide and other ammonia compounds. These combine well with chlorine and they produce amines. These kill algae and they are designed for use when there is serious algae problem.

Some Steps You Should Keep in Mind

Before any pool is shocked you must check on the cyanuric acid and pH concentrations. The pH levels should be brought down to the range of 7.2 to 7.8. A range

can-i-add-shock-and-chlorine-at-the-same-time

close to 7.2 will be quite good. Cyanuric acid levels should range from 10 to 40 PPM. This will prevent the chlorine from degrading. Late afternoon is the best time to add chlorine because it has the entire night to work.

You should also vacuum sediments, and brush the sides of the pool. Use the right quantity of chlorine for shocking purposes.

The Final Word

Understanding the right answers to the question can I add shock and chlorine at the same time is important because it will help you to make sure that your pool remains free from algae. As well as being able to get the best value for money for the algaecides that you are using on a regular basis. Always remember that your type of pool water will also play affect in the amount of chlorine you use. For more information about shocking your pool, our pool building experts here at Richard’s Total Backyard Solutions can help you.  

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