By flowing slightly salted water over two electrically charged plates known as the Salt Cell, salt water pool produce chlorine. Salt chlorinators or chlorine producers are other terms for salt systems.
After cleaning the water, chlorine reverts to salt, and the procedure can begin all over again. But what if you wanted to shock a saltwater pool? Is it better to shock with a salt cell or with pool shock? What kind of pool shock is best for a saltwater pool?
When Should a Saltwater Pool Be Shocked?
When it comes to shock frequency, a saltwater pool is similar to other chlorine pools. There are three good reasons to shock a pool: to get rid of chloramines, algae, and contaminants.
To Remove Chloramines
Use a DPD test kit, like the Taylor Deluxe, or Test Strips that test for both Free and Total Chlorine to test your pool water. If the Total Chlorine test is significantly darker than the Free Chlorine test, shock the pool to remove the combined chlorine molecules. Now It’s time to shock the pool — to remove the buildup of combined chlorine – when the chloramine level is 0.3 ppm or higher (just a little darker on the Total Chlorine test).
To Remove Algae
Chlorine is an excellent algaecide and the most effective approach to remove algal quickly, whether you have a few small spots in obscure locations or a highly green pool. Scrub isolated algae patches with a steel bristles brush, then sprinkled chlorine granules on top of the region (plaster pools only). A Trichlor chlorine tablet can also be used to clean blue/green and black algae heads. Balance the chemistry and shock the pool heavily to kill algae and restore a blue-ish colour to the pool if it has an all-over algae bloom and green water.
To Remove Contaminants.
If your pool has been contaminated due to a “Fecal Accident,” such as vomit or blood. Alternatively, if a lot of dirt or soil has washed into the pool. If you’ve just had a large pool party with a lot of people in the pool, you’ll want to shock it hard to get rid of any disease-causing bacteria and organic debris that could fuel algae growth or discolour the pool. Heavy oil or soap contamination is best treated with an enzyme first, then shocked a few days later to bring it under control.
In a saltwater pool, granular pool shock can be used to eliminate surface stains caused by organic contaminants (leaves, worms, dirt). It’s also beneficial for swiftly raising chlorine levels if they’ve fallen dangerously low, or if pool equipment (pump, filter, salt system) isn’t working properly and can’t produce chlorine.
How to Shock a Saltwater Pool
Shocking a saltwater pool is similar to shocking any other chlorinated pool.
Balance the Chemistry
It’s critical to analyse and adjust your pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness levels before adding shock to the pool. When the pH is high, chlorine reacts slowly and is less effective. Crystalline deposits may occur if calcium levels are also high. Shocking the pool can create temporary (and occasionally permanent) discoloration if metals like copper and iron are high. Test your cyanuric acid (stabiliser) level, and if it’s over 20ppm, add 50 percent additional shock. If the concentration is higher than 40 ppm, double the dose.
Calculate the Dosage:
If you want to destroy full-scale algae blooms or remove chloramines from your pool, you need to use the right quantity of shock. The effect will be incomplete if you do not add enough to reach “breakpoint chlorination,” which is around 30 ppm. Use 3 lbs per 10000 gallons of granular pool shock (Cal Hypo) for a thorough shock that will kill anything in the pool. If you’re using liquid chlorine bleach with a concentration of 6%, add 5 gallons every 10,000 gallons.
Add the Shock:
Add the chlorine (granular or liquid) slowly to the pool, scattering it around the pool edge or broadcasting the pool shock over the surface, with the filtration system running and the pH on the low side, 7.2-7.4. Pre-dissolve Cal Hypo shock in a 5 gallon bucket filled with water for vinyl pools, painted pools, and fibreglass pools by pouring 1-2 pounds at a time. Stir it with a stick until it’s completely dissolved, then pour it along the pool’s edge, being careful not to let any undissolved grains from the bucket’s bottom fall into the water.