Pool chemicals?
Question:What is the shock for? How do you use it by putting it in the Pump or filter or by putting it into the pool? Is their anyone i can email for help? We just got an overground pool and are so confused about the chemicals. HELP!! please
Answers:
Attached is a link to a website that discusses pool chemistry. Now to your question...
Pool shock is a concentrated form of chlorine that is made to dissolve easily into a pool and raise the chlorine level quickily. It is typically sold in 1 pound packages, and the chemical name is on the side. The concentration is usually around 34 percent active chlorine compound.
I have a 20,000 gallon in-ground pool, and to "shock" my pool hard requires only about 4 pounds of pool shock. So you can judge how much you need based upon your pool size.
Now if you have an algae bloom an have green stuff growing on the sides of the pool you may have to add more. Check with your local pool company if you have one.
Two things on pool chemistry..more chlorine is better than too little. Active chlorine keeps your pool free of bacteria and mold. And it protects you and your children in the case of an occasional "accident."
Your chlorine level should be a minimum of 4 ppm. You can keep it higher but it's difficult to get it much over 15 ppm because it degrades in sunlight with your bicarb that you add.
What is bicarb? That is Sodium Bicarbonate that you buy as a powder in various size bags. Again for a 20,000 gallon pool, I will add about 20 pounds every couple of weeks if it the sun is bright. The sodium bicarbonate reacts with chlorine in the pool to make sodium chloride and CO2. That's why you have to continually add these chemicals. Don't worry, the salt level will never build up high enough for you to taste it.
Addressing the issue of pH..this is a very important factor for both comfort and efficiency of your chlorine. If the pH is too high, you will notice eye irritation and redness from using the pool. Adding the bicarb powder controls the pH in a specific range as long as the level of bicarb is about 120 ppm. When it gets below this, the pH will tend to rise, and you will have to add muriatic acid to lower the pH back down.
Getting back to pool shock..Addition of this will increase the pH, and generally you will need to add a small amount of muriatic acid either in conjuntion with, or afterward.
One last thing.Muriatic acid is 34% hydrochloric acid. It is not forgiving if you get it in your eyes. Be sure to spend the money to buy a set of goggles from the local hardware store and protect yourself.
you use shock after a rain, and on your weekly maint. you put directly into the water with your hands, then run the pump. you can take a class at a local shop where they sell pools. i did.
Without going into a lot of detail here, the best thing for you to do is go to a pool chemical dealer or store and get one of the handouts that explains all of this stuff. You might also go to one of the online sites of the pool chemical manufacturers, such as Olin.
spread the shock thoughout the pool weekly or whenever it rains or if you have alot of people in the pool. There are some good websites out there with pool help. jimbonks55@yahoo.com
More Related Questions & Answers...