PC201: OXIDATIONSMART START Pool School

WHAT IS OXIDATION?

➤ In pools and spas, oxidation refers to the destruction and removal of contaminants in water.

➤ The common term for oxidizing a pool or spa is “shocking.”

➤ Regular oxidation, or shocking, of the water is required, though is not necessary on a constant (i.e. daily) basis the way sanitation is.

➤ The amount of oxidizer required will vary, but the frequency is usually the same; during regular use, pools and spas should be shocked weekly unless otherwise advised.

TYPES OF OXIDIZERS

➤ A wide variety of oxidizers and shock products are available for pool owners; however, most of these products contain chlorine as a main component.

➤ Shock treatments containing chlorine can be either stabilized or unstabilized; unstabilized chlorine burns off much faster than stabilized chlorine.

➤ Another common shock—more common for spas—is MPS, which stands for monopersulfate. This is a non-chlorine shock treatment.

➤ Biguanide systems use a specialized shock—usually peroxide-based—that is not interchangeable with chlorine-based shocks.

TYPES OF CHLORINE SHOCKS

➤ The most commonly found and least expensive shock is calcium hypochlorite (cal hypo). This is an unstabilized shock that burns off quickly; however, it will cause an increase in pH and calcium hardness when applied. Continued use of only cal hypo can eventually lead to an excess of calcium. ➤ Bioguard® BurnOut 73 and CLC contain cal hypo.

➤ Another common shock is sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione (sodium dichlor). This is a stabilized shock that burns off slower than cal hypo. It is pH-neutral and will not cause an increase in calcium hardness, but will cause a small increase in stabilizer levels over a long period of time.

➤ Bioguard® Smart Shock contains sodium dichlor as well as MPS.

➤ For these shocks, while they are quick-dissolving, they may require brushing or pre-dissolving if the water is below 70°F.

➤ Leave the pool cover off for 8 hours after applying any shock treatment containing chlorine.

WHAT ABOUT BLEACH?➤ Bleach, also known as sodium

hypochlorite or liquid chlorine, is a very weak, liquid based shock that is not recommended for pool use except in special, commercial-only applications.

➤ This product burns off very quickly and requires large quantities—usually several gallons—to match the strength of one bag of shock.

➤ The product is often weaker than what is labeled on the container; it can be up to half as effective as the percentage listed on the bottle.

➤ Bleach contains many additives and fillers that are not ideal for the pool and can cause more problems than it solves.

CHOOSING AN OXIDIZER

➤ For most pools, a chlorine-based, stabilized shock like Smart Shock is the best choice for regular maintenance.

➤ One advantage of Smart Shock over other shock treatments on the market is that re-entry to the pool can happen just 15 minutes after application.

➤ Apply Smart Shock at a rate of 1lb for every 12,000gal of water. Add the product directly to the pool with the pump running.

➤ Apply Smart Shock weekly during the summer. Additional applications may be required after rainfall, heavy use, or significant water addition.

➤ If chlorine is in range or high, Oxysheen can be used to shock the pool in place of Smart Shock. Oxysheen is a non-chlorine, MPS-based shock treatment.

➤ When using Oxysheen, do not test total chlorine (TC) levels for up to 72 hours, as Oxysheen will interfere with the test.

CHOOSING AN OXIDIZER, CONT.

➤ For problem-solving, BurnOut 73 and CLC are preferred for their higher chlorine content.

➤ When using either of these products, a pH decreaser like Lo ’n’ Slo will be needed to counteract the increase in pH that results from these products.

➤ Continued use of these products for regular maintenance is not recommended, as calcium hardness can increase to levels where scaling and cloudy water are likely to occur.

➤ Apply these products according to instructions from your water care specialist; for pools other than white plaster, this product may need to be pre-dissolved before it is added to the pool.

CHOOSING AN OXIDIZER, CONT.

➤ Biguanide pools (SoftSwim) will want to avoid chlorine-based shocks altogether. The best choice for treatment is SoftSwim C, a peroxide-based shock treatment that is sold in liquid form.

➤ SoftSwim C should be applied monthly, with additional doses added after rainfall, heavy use, or significant water addition.

➤ These pools can also use Oxysheen as a problem-solving shock. This can be particularly helpful in pools that have developed biofilms (water mold), as it can break down the biofilm and allow the sanitizer and oxidizer to work more efficiently.

WHICH IS RIGHT FOR ME?

➤ Talk to your water care specialist at The Pool & Spa House to determine which oxidizer is best for you.

➤ The best oxidizer will be based on your current situation: which sanitizer are you using? Are you trying to solve a problem or keep up with regular maintenance? Let your specialist know your goals.

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