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What is the difference between pool sanitizer and shock?

7 min read

Asked by: Sharon Goodnight

1) What is the difference between chlorine and shock? Do I need to use both? Chlorine is a sanitizer, and (unless you use Baquacil products) is necessary for maintaining a clear and healthy pool. Shock is chlorine, in a high dose, meant to shock your pool and raise the chlorine level quickly.

Is shock or pool sanitizer better?

While shock is more fast-acting, it’s also available in both granule (most common) and liquid forms. Both oxidize and sanitize: Sanitizing will get rid of bacteria, algae and hazardous microorganisms in the water, while the oxidation power in chlorine will take care of any organic pollutants.

Is pool sanitizer the same as pool chlorine?

The most common type of pool sanitizer is chlorine. Chlorine has been used to sanitize pools for over a century. It is the most effective ways to purify and disinfect your pool water.

Can you add shock and sanitizer at the same time?

It Should Not Be Done Together. While shocking and adding algaecide is effective in getting rid of algae, it should not be done together. This is because when you mix chlorine and algaecide together, it renders both of them useless.

Which is better chlorine or shock?

Shock has a more intense chemical strength than the traditional chlorine sanitizers, and it also differs in how you should apply it to your swimming pool. Short answer: No. Chlorine sanitizers and shock are similar but different in strength.

Is chlorinating sanitizer the same as shock?

1) What is the difference between chlorine and shock? Do I need to use both? Chlorine is a sanitizer, and (unless you use Baquacil products) is necessary for maintaining a clear and healthy pool. Shock is chlorine, in a high dose, meant to shock your pool and raise the chlorine level quickly.

What does pool sanitizer do?

Sanitizers are used to kill bacteria and inhibit the growth of viruses, algae and other organic contaminants that enter your pool water by way of wind, rain, dust and swimmers. The most common pool water sanitizer is chlorine.

Does shock sanitize?

The most important thing to know about non-chlorine spa shock is that it is not a disinfectant. This means it does not kill bacteria.

What is the best way to sanitize a pool?

So if you have a saltwater pool. You have a chlorine pool and you should keep your chlorine. Like I said before at three parts per million at all times the good thing about having a saltwater pool is

How do you sanitize a pool without chlorine?

3 Ways to Sanitize Your Pool without the Typical Chlorine Risks

  1. Salt sanitizers (“saltwater pool”) In recent years, saltwater sanitizers have become a popular alternative to off-the-shelf chlorine for treating water in swimming pools. …
  2. Ozone pool purification. …
  3. Ultraviolet pool sanitizing light.


What can I use instead of pool shock?

Common unscented household bleach (sodium hypochlorite) works well to shock a pool.

How often should you shock your pool?

about once a week

How Often Should I Shock My Pool? Shocking your pool regularly will help to keep the water clean and free of contaminants. You should aim to shock your pool about once a week, with the additional shock after heavy use. Some tell-tale signs that your pool needs to be shocked are cloudy, foamy, green, or odourous water.

When should I shock my pool?

In general, you should shock your pool when:

  • Algae begins to grow in your pool.
  • The free chlorine level of your pool measures zero.
  • The chloramines or combined chlorine level rises above 0.5 parts per million (ppm).


Does shock sanitize?

The most important thing to know about non-chlorine spa shock is that it is not a disinfectant. This means it does not kill bacteria.

What is the difference between shock and shock oxidizer?

The shocking agent, typically a non-chlorine oxidizer, breaks down the chloramines so that they can help in the sanitizing process. Basically, it becomes chlorine again. There are two types of shocking agents — chlorine and non-chlorine. Most non-chlorine shocks are labeled as oxidizer, a nod to the chemical reaction.

Is clarifier the same as shock?

It’s not a good idea to use pool shock at the same time as clarifier. Some clarifiers are polymer based and the shock can act to break up the polymer causing the clarifier to be ineffective. It’s best to shock your pool before and wait a day or two before adding clarifier.

What does Chlor Brite do for your pool?

Product Description. Chlor Brite Granular Chlorine is a high-quality and affordable way to keep your pool sanitized. This fast-dissolving sanitizer can be used for regular chlorination and super-chlorination. With 99% active ingredients this chlorine works with power to kill bacteria in your water.

Can you swim after adding Chlor Brite?

It is recommended to wait at least 20 minutes to an hour after adding water balancing chemicals. You should wait 2-4 hours (or one full cycle through the filter) to swim from the moment you use calcium chloride in your pool. It is safe to swim once your chlorine levels are around 5 ppm or after 24 hours.

Is Leslie’s Chlor Brite the same as shock?

Dichlor pool shock is a fast-dissolving solution that will not raise the pH level or cloud the pool water. When chlorine levels are below 2.0 ppm you can choose a maintenance shock like Leslie’s Chlor Brite, a stabilized granular chlorine shock that won’t burn off quickly from the sun’s UV rays.

How often should I use Chlor Brite?

every other day

Routine Usage Directions for Swimming Pools



Broadcast 3 ounces of Leslie’s Chlor Brite per 10,000 gallons of the pool water every other day, or as needed, to maintain a Free Available Chlorine (FAC) level of 1-4 ppm. This quantity may vary based upon bather load, water temperature and other conditions.

Does Chlor Brite raise pH?

Fast dissolving at 55% Available Chlorine. Stabilized so it lasts longer than non-stabilized shock. Does not raise the pH level (6.0 – 7.0). Perfect for all types of pools.

What is Leslie’s Chlor Brite?

Leslie’s Chlor Brite is known as a maintenance shock, ideal for daily or weekly use for a quick chlorine boost. It’s especially effective as a backup sanitizer for swimming pools using a saltwater chlorination system.

Does Leslie’s Chlor Brite have stabilizer?

Stabilized Chlorine Granular Shock



Leslie’s Chlor Brite Dichlor is stabilized, containing an ultraviolet inhibitor to help make sure the chlorine sanitizer stays in the water doing its job killing bacteria and algae.

How do you measure Leslie’s Chlor Brite?

Add one ounce of Leslie’s Swimming Pool Supplies Chlor Brite for each 500 gallons of water. Test the Free Available Chlorine (FAC) level and, if below 3-5 ppm, add additional Leslie’s Swimming Pool Supplies Chlor Brite until the FAC level reaches 3-5 ppm as determined by a reliable test kit.

What is a sodium hypochlorite solution?

Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is a solution made from reacting chlorine with a sodium hydroxide solution. These two reactants are the major co-products from most chlor-alkali cells. Sodium hypochlorite, commonly referred to as bleach, has a variety of uses and is an excellent disinfectant/antimicrobial agent.

Is sodium dichloro s Triazinetrione the same as chlorine?

Dichlor, short for Dichloro-S- Triazinetrione, is one type of chlorine available for keeping pool water clean. Similar to trichlor, a different kind of chlorine, dichlor is usually granular but can also be found in tablets.

Which is better dichlor or trichlor?

For quick boosts to cyanuric acid (stabilizer) and chlorine, dichlor is best. Dichlor has more stabilizer in it than trichlor and will raise cyanuric acid quickly.

Is dichlor the same as shock?

Dichloroisocyanuric Acid: Also known as “dichlor,” this is another type of chlorine shock. Dichlor contains both chlorine and cyanuric acid and will, over time, raise your cyanuric acid levels.

Which is better calcium hypochlorite or sodium dichloro s Triazinetrione?

Cal-hypo has the highest percentage of available chlorine and is extremely effective at eliminating algae. Because cal-hypo shock contains calcium, it is not recommended for use in saltwater applications, and although it does dissolve quickly, it does take longer to dissolve than dichlor shock.

Is calcium hypochlorite the same as pool shock?

Calcium hypochlorite, or cal hypo for short, will be an ingredient in a pool shock container, but it is also an effective water sanitizer itself, often used to clean drinking water too. This chemical compound has been utilized since the 19th century, and it is one of the least costly alternatives to shocking your pool.

What is the strongest chlorine?

Product Description. The 1 Gal HASA 4×1 Liquid Chlorine is the purest, strongest, and fastest working liquid chlorine available. Up to 25% stronger than other leading brands. HASA liquid chlorine is a sodium hypochlorite solution, marketed for use in the treatment of water in swimming pools, spas, and hot tubs.