Pool Shock

Pool shock or shocking a pool refers to using a chemical process called oxidation to break down water soluble bather waste. Shocking and super-chlorination, technically, have different meanings, but they are commonly referred to as the same thing. (like saying Kleenex for any facial tissue) Shocking a pool typically means to add a NON-CHLORINE compound, like potassium peroxymonosulfate, (Blast) to oxidize ammonia residue in pools from oils, dead skin, lotions, urine, and chloramines. This allows chlorine to work more efficiently and eliminate odors. It's benefit is that you can swim 15 to 20 minutes after it is added to the pool, usually at a rate of 1lb. per 10,000gal. It's drawback is that it does not kill algae. Super-chlorination is usually done by adding large amounts of liquid or powdered granular chlorine to the pool. This type of "shocking" kills off bio-organic waste as well as algae blooms. Liquid chlorine and calcium hypochlorite have high pH and require the pool owner to rebalance the water about an hour or two after use. Cal-hypo also is not completely water soluble. Sodium di-chlor is becoming more popular as a shock because it's completely water soluble, and close to ph neutral. The drawback to all chlorine shocks is the downtime waiting for chlorine levels to fall back to normal levels. Excess chlorine also destroys phosphate removal enzymes.