The Importance Of Shocking

Oxidizing (Shocking)

There is a distinct difference between a sanitizer and an oxidizer. A  sanitizer destroys disease causing germs; sanitizing water means the removal of bacteria from pool or spa water.

An oxidizer, on the other hand, does not destroy bacteria and is not a sanitizer. Instead an oxidizer uses active oxygen to consume nonbacterial waste and convert it into harmless gases that can be released into the atmosphere. Sanitizers kill germs. Oxidizers are designed to remove nonbacterial contaminants and organics, such as chemical by-products, microscopic dirt, dead algae and swimmer waste.

Oxidizing is a common practice in the industry, but many people do not fully understand when it is necessary. The key reason for oxidizing is to convert the chloramines in the water back into free available chlorine. This assures that all available chlorine is active to sanitize.

Oxidizing your pool or spa on a regular basis is an essential element in keeping the water clean and clear. Swimmers and the environment add wastes to the pool that must be eliminated on a regular basis to prevent problems such as algae and cloudy water. If a pool has a high amount of organic matter or swimmer waste, and chlorine or bromine is added, the chemical will be quickly be consumed before having a chance to sanitize. Basically the sanitizing ability of the chlorine or bromine will be sacrificed for the oxidizing. When this occurs the safety of the pool water can be compromised because dangerous bacteria have not been destroyed.

Ways To Oxidize (Shocking)

Superchlorination  –  Adding an amount of chlorine that is 10 times the combined chlorine level (total chlorine minus free available chlorine) This generally requires a fairly large dose of granular or liquid chlorine.

Chlorine Free Oxidizing

A better way to oxidize and remove nonbacterial waste and chlorimines is to use a chlorine-free shock oxidizer in addition to a sanitizer. The chlorine-free shock oxidizer oxidizes combined chlorine, thereby ensuring that the sanitizer, specifically available chlorine is used to sanitize. Organic impurities are oxidized by using a little a 1 pound of chlorine-free shock oxidizer per 10,000 gallons of water. Using a chlorine-free shock oxidizer also has the advantage that it works quickly and swimming can resume just after 15 minutes.

Ozone

Ozone, classified as an extreme oxidizer, is a gaseous oxidizer comprising three oxygen molecules. ozone is dispensed with an ozonator. There are several ozonators  available on the market for use in both swimming pools and spas. Ozonators do not sanitize the water, they are used as an adjunct  to chlorine or bromine.

Final Note: Frequency of use, bather load and duration, and time of year all play a roll in when and how often you should shock you pool or spa.

Reference Material provided by:

The book on Effective Water Treatment – Sea Klear

Pool Care Guide  –  Pool Season