Another shock question

[alapool]

I have been running the Pool Frog system for the last 2 years and I have decided after reading thru this forum that I am going to try using the bleach method. Sounds like a pretty easy solution.

So as I understand it you add liquid bleach every 2 or 3 days depending on your chlorine level. I personally don't want my levels to be above 3 ppm. The question that I have is when do I shock the pool? And does "shock the pool" mean that you just add a lot more liquid bleach?

Thanks for any help!

And THANKS FOR THIS WEBSITE!!!

[JohnT]

You shock the pool when the combined chlorine gets above about 0.5ppm, and you do it by adding enough bleach to raise the chlorine to the desired level. That level depends on your pool construction and CYA level of your water.

[alapool]

Let's assume I have a CYA level of 30.

So does that mean that when the combined Cl level is at .5 ppm, then the FC level is usually below 1 ppm? and I need to add enough CL to raise the FC level back to 3 ppm?

[waterbear]

According to Ben's "Best Guess chart
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=365
with a CYA level of 30 your min FC should be 3 ppm and your max 6ppm. This is the range you need to keep it at normally. If your CC is greater than .5 ppm you need to shock by raising you FC to 15 ppm.

You can have CC at any level of FC. It depends on whether there is enough 'reserve' of FC to 'burn off' the contaiminents in the water and break down the CC. If you have an outdoor pool without a SWG a CYA level of 30 ppm is a good choice.

Be aware that the pool frog is a silver/zinc system and had probably added metals to your water. You might want to read the section of the forum on metals
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/forumdisplay.php?f=139

[duraleigh]

Let's assume I have a CYA level of 30.

So does that mean that when the combined Cl level is at .5 ppm, then the FC level is usually below 1 ppm? and I need to add enough CL to raise the FC level back to 3 ppm?

Hi,

You're on the right track, but off just a little.

1. If you are not willing to keep your Cl a little higher than 3ppm, you may have some problems. That's just not quite enough residual sanitizer to keep your pool sparkling. You'll need to keep it somewhere between 3-6ppm with a CYA of 30.

2. If your CC test indicates greater than .5, yes, you "shock" the pool by greatly increasing the Cl.....up to 15ppm (with a CYA of 30). That burns up all the bad stuff in your pool, eliminates any odor you may have had, and restores your pool to a healthy condition. You then let the Cl come back down to it's maintenance level of 3-6ppm.

Dave S.

[alapool]

Ok, so I have read a the threads on too much copper in pool. I'll take care of this in another thread.

What kind of effect should I expect with the FC between 3 and 6 ppm? Will it cause the liner life to go way down? Will it cause skin irritations? Will it cause hair to become "straw-like"? These are issues I want to avoid. And what level does my CYA need to be if I want to keep the FC down between 2 and 3 ppm?

Also, how long does it take for the FC levels to come back down to the normal levels after I shock? When is it safe to swim again?

Thanks a bunch for your answers!

[waterbear]

Will it cause hair to become "straw-like"?
Thanks a bunch for your answers!

Having held both Barber and Cosmetologist licenses in the state of Florida for 29 years and having taught both professions I can tell you that it is NOT chlorine (at normal and even shock levels) that causes hair to become "straw like' but exposure to the UV rays of the sun. (You can sit by your pool and never go in the water and it will happen just as fast) Also chlorine will NOT cause the hair to turn green. That is from copper and I have outlined a safe and effective way to deal with that problem in another post
http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=326

[JohnT]

What kind of effect should I expect with the FC between 3 and 6 ppm? Will it cause the liner life to go way down? Will it cause skin irritations? Will it cause hair to become "straw-like"? These are issues I want to avoid. And what level does my CYA need to be if I want to keep the FC down between 2 and 3 ppm?

Also, how long does it take for the FC levels to come back down to the normal levels after I shock? When is it safe to swim again?

You won't even know there is chlorine in the pool at 3-6 ppm IF you keep your combined chlorine under control, which is easy. As to CYA levels, search for "Ben's Best Guess" on here and you will find details.

How long the FC will stay up is totally dependent on the situation. Sunlight, water condition, CYA level, bather load, cover use etc.. You are usually good to go the next day, but you need to test. I only shock about once or twice a year while we are swimming, so I don't have much to go on.

[kjsmom]

What is the highest SAFE, NO FADE chlorine level for shocking an inground vinyl liner pool? Last Spring, I was advised on the forum that I could safely go up to 10-12 ppm chlorine for shocking, and I did maintain that level until the water cleared -- about a week.

In August we had a big storm and had to put a patch on the liner -- I was totally shocked at how faded my 2 year old liner was!

We replaced the liner last Fall, and I would like to preserve the color. I called Pacific Pools and was told not to go over 3ppm chlorine, (1 1/2 - 2 ppm chlorine for maintenance); that's a big difference.

If it took a week to clear the water at 12 ppm chlorine, how long will it take at 3 ppm chlorine (the water was pretty nasty dark olive green).
Pat

[aylad]

What is the highest SAFE, NO FADE chlorine level for shocking an inground vinyl liner pool? Last Spring, I was advised on the forum that I could safely go up to 10-12 ppm chlorine for shocking, and I did maintain that level until the water cleared -- about a week.

In August we had a big storm and had to put a patch on the liner -- I was totally shocked at how faded my 2 year old liner was!

We replaced the liner last Fall, and I would like to preserve the color. I called Pacific Pools and was told not to go over 3ppm chlorine, (1 1/2 - 2 ppm chlorine for maintenance); that's a big difference.

If it took a week to clear the water at 12 ppm chlorine, how long will it take at 3 ppm chlorine (the water was pretty nasty dark olive green).
Pat

It depends on your CYA level--at higher CYA levels you have to maintain higher minimum chlorine levels to keep your pool clear. See the "Best Guess" chart (first thread in this forum) for a guide on how high your Cl levels need to be.

Janet