There are different types of pool shock treatments available on the market, each with its own unique set of uses and benefits. To help you choose the right one for your pool, we've put together this guide.
Liquid Shock is the easiest to use, with no staining or bleaching worries, but it's also the weakest form of shock, with only 12.5% strength. It's best used in the spring if your filter isn't running or just before closing your pool for the season since it has no residue that could stain the liner or gunite.
Granular Calcium Hypochlorite Shock (such as Turbo Shock, Omega Shock, and Rapid Shock) has the highest kill factor against algae and bacteria and is perfect for opening your pool in the spring. It comes in strengths ranging from 53% to 78%, and we recommend purchasing at least 68% strength for maximum effectiveness.
Multi-Shock is a type of shock treatment that is used to remove organic waste from the water when the pool is running smoothly and balanced. However, it's important to note that Multi-Shock can sometimes raise the chlorine level too high and cause over-stabilization, which is why we don't regularly recommend it as a go-to shock treatment for pools.
Activator (Non Chlorine Shock) is a weekly shock used to burn out organic waste in the water, making your chlorine or salt more effective in keeping the pool clean and safe. This one is highly recommended to keep your pool crystal clear.
Shock Recommendation for both Chlorine and Salt pools.
End-of-season and early-season shock before filter is running, use Liquid Shock.
Once your filter is running, use Calcium Hypochlorite Shock to start the season, and test your water as soon as possible to add additional chemicals if needed.
During the season, shock your pool weekly to control bacteria in the water.
If your chlorine reading is 2.0 or above, use Activator.
If your chlorine reading is low or nonexistent, use Calcium Hypochlorite Shock to bring it back into range.
Whenever you use Calcium Hypochlorite Shock, test the water 24 hours later to ensure you have a reading of 3.0 or above. If not, double the amount of shock you added the night before and continue until you reach a 3.0 reading 24 hours later.
We hope that this guide has provided valuable insights for selecting the appropriate shock treatment for your pool, ensuring that it remains clean, safe, and enjoyable for everyone. The information shared above is based on my extensive experience of over 40 years in the pool business. Thank you for considering this information, and I wish you a happy and refreshing pool season!
Your Pool Guy
Rick