Swimming pools are complex. There are so many different things that go into a single swimming pool, that the entire process of taking care of that swimming pool is convoluted. And then, there are all of the individual elements that go into making sure that the water within that swimming pool is clean, and that people will be able to safely swim in that pool, without having to deal with any of the issues that often come from water that is either dirty, or hasn’t been properly treated.
When people are taking care of their swimming pool, they often use something known as “pool shock”. If you own a swimming pool, then there’s a good chance you are already pretty familiar with what pool shock is. If you aren’t, then keep on reading, because we’re going to give you a definition.
So, pool shock is a set of chemicals. These chemicals are designed to clean and purify the water that is in your pool and to remove various types of organisms. Organisms such as germs and algae, as well as other things that the human body tends to bring into swimming pools.
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Our Recommended Pool Shocks in 2022
12) Olympic Shock-It
- 4 Gallons of liquid pool shock
- ✅ Product Does Not Cloud Pool
- ✅ Ready To Use, No Mixing Required - Great Choice for Pool Closings
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
11) Aqua Chem 12001AQU-06
No products found.
10) Clorox XtraBlue 6lbs
- Dual Action Sanitizer and Shock
- Kills Bacteria
- Kills and prevents all types of pool algae
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
9) HTH Ultimate Shock
No products found.
8) Aqua Clear 50006ACL
- Kills bacteria
- Safe for all pool types
- 6 pk
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
7) Clorox 32312CLX
- Easy open, easy pour bottles
- Clears cloudy water and removes swimmer contaminants
- 4-In-1 formula won't impact pH
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
6) In The Swim Chlorine
- 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.
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
5) DryTec 1-1901-24
- One bag of this product per 10,000 gallons of water
- Adjust and maintain pH at 7.2-7.6
- Maintain total alkalinity in the range of 60 to 120
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
4) Clorox XtraBlue
- Easy open, easy pour bottles
- Multi-functional pool shock with algae-fighting crystals
- Creates crystal clear water
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
3) Pool Essentials 4in1
- Fast-dissolving pool shock
- Clears cloudy water and removes swimmer contaminants () such as body oils, sweat, lotions and urine
- power_source_type: Manual
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
2) HTH 52026
- BENEFITS: Increases the chlorine level in swimming pools to kill bacteria and algae to keep your pool water...
- USE: Apply directly to pool water as needed; Test pool water and shock weekly to keep free available chlorine...
- COMPATIBILITY: Effective for all swimming pool types including pools with liners and Gunite pools, and...
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1) In The Swim Sodium
- In The Swim's granular chlorine is ideal for use in swimming pools, spas, fountains and water features
- Powerful sanitizing powder that destroys bacteria, breaks down contaminants and kills algae
- Calcium-Free formula keeps hard-water pools sparkling clean and crystal clear
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Almost every swimming pool uses chlorine. This is because chlorine is one of the easiest and most effective ways of breaking down and destroying the bacteria that is in a swimming pool. This bacteria can lead to things like colds and coughs, as well as other types of illnesses. But, with chlorine, this bacteria is unable to grow and to reside in the pool.
Now, there are debates as to the effectiveness, and safety, of chlorine. We’re not going to dive into that, though, because it is a rather complex issue, with no single answer. What does need to be mentioned, however, is that when you enter a pool, all of the oils that are on your body then mix and merge with the chlorine in that pool. From this process, these things called “chloramines” form.
Chloramines are the source of that weird odor that most swimming pools have. And, it must be said, they are perfectly normal. There is nothing wrong with chloramines, and they are a natural byproduct of chlorine, and people swimming in the chlorine that is within that swimming pool.
Here’s the thing, though, if there are too many chloramines, this leads to an even more intense and overbearing smell, and it also leads to your eyes and skin becoming irritated, due to the intensity of the chloramines. This can make swimming a very difficult and uncomfortable experience.
Using a pool shock – and any pool shock will perform this basic function – the chloramines stop forming, and this prevents them from creating more and more chloramines that will, inevitably, irritate your skin and body. Along with that, this lessens the smell of the chloramines.
That’s not all, though, a pool shock also helps to remove any of the excess algae or bacteria that happens to be in your pool. So, when you combine that, with the prevention of any extra chloramines being formed, which then reduces the effects that those chloramines can present, you get a swimming pool that provides a significantly more pleasant and enjoyable experience.
Here’s the thing, though there are a variety of different pool shocks available, and this means that you have several different choices. This can be a little confusing if you aren’t familiar with the different pool shocks, and what they do. So, because of this, we’ve put together this buying guide, and in this buying guide, you’re going to learn all about what these different pool shocks are, and what you need to consider and think about before you buy the pool shock.
To start, we’re going to look at what kinds of different pool shocks are available, what they do, and how they can affect your pool.
What Types Of Pool Shock Are Available?
Generally speaking, there are three different types of pool shock that are available. Each one is unique, but they all work a little differently. Depending on your own needs, one of these will be the ideal choice for you.
Potassium Mono Persulfate
To start, potassium mono persulfate is a type of pool shock that involves oxidizing the water in your pool. You won’t find any chlorine in this pool shock, and this means that it is intended to simply aid the chlorine that is already in your pool, rather than adding any more chlorine to your pool.
While your water is being oxidized, the various contaminants that are already in the pool are destroyed, and this strengthens the chlorine, while also ensuring that your pool is nice and clean, rather than full of contaminants such as bacteria and germs.
Calcium Hypochlorite
Out of the three different pool shocks that are available, calcium hypochlorite is the most popular. This is because it is the strongest pool shock on the market.
Part of the appeal is the fact that it dissolves into the swimming pool very quickly. It doesn’t take that long to dissolve, and if the sun is shining down on it, this only makes the process quicker.
By using calcium hypochlorite, you can remove all of the different organisms, such as algae and bacteria, that are in your pool, but at the same time, you are also able to increase the strength of the chlorine that is in your pool, which helps to prevent those organisms from returning.
Sodium Di-Chlor
Sodium di-chlor is not the most popular pool shock, but that doesn’t mean it should be ignored. Because, it is rather unique, and it does a couple of things that are very useful, and that enhance the overall quality of the water in your swimming pool, without disrupting the swimming experience, either.
Using sodium di-chlor, you can enhance the pH levels, as well as the cyanuric acid levels found within your pool. By doing this, you ensure that your chlorine levels are nice and stable and that the water in the pool is strong and fortified, as well.
One of the nice things about this pool shock is that you use it at night, and in about fifteen minutes, give or take, it stabilizes everything and then you can go back to swimming!
What Is The Best Pool Shock?
So, this question is dependent on a few factors. However, if you use pool shocks on a regular basis, such as every week, then you can use any one of these pool shocks, and it will work very well. The important thing to remember is that these pool shocks serve as a means of stabilizing the chlorine levels, which helps to strengthen them and eliminating some of the general nastiness within the water.
If your water is really dirty, and visibly so, then calcium hypochlorite is the ideal choice. It will get rid of all of that gunk and grime, and by using it regularly, it will also ensure that those kinds of things are unable to continue growing.
If it isn’t that dirty, though, then you can use the other two pool shocks, and they will strengthen the chlorine and get rid of the gunk and grime, but they won’t do so in the most overly powerful way, because that would be unnecessary.
For a pool that is made out of concrete, any one of the pool shocks will be ideal. However, if you have a swimming pool that is made out of PVC, then you should only use potassium mono persulfate, since it doesn’t contain chlorine, and too much chlorine can degrade the swimming pool, do to PVC and its sensitivity to chlorine. With fiberglass, you can also use all three types of pool shocks, and there won’t be any issues.
Ultimately, though, these pool shocks are all very effective and very useful, and that is important to remember.
Should I Use The Pool Shock Right After I Pour It?
Every pool shock varies, in this matter. Some of them dissolve extremely quickly, and this means that you can just dive in right after you have poured it. Others take a longer period to dissolve, such as thirty-minutes to one-hour. In the end, there is no single answer that can account for the fact that pool shocks vary, when it comes to this.
If you want to be able to use the pool shock right after you pour it, then make sure to find one that lets you do that because they are definitely out there. But, some of these aren’t very strong, which lessens their general effectiveness.
Conclusion
By owning a swimming pool, you, naturally, sign yourself up for a lot of maintenance. Using a good pool shock, you can greatly reduce the amount of maintenance that is needed, while also strengthening the chlorine in your pool, and removing all of the algae and bacteria that are within that swimming pool, which will make the swimming experience much more pleasant!
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