Would you like to diminish the effect of sanitizer (chlorine) in your pool, or render it almost useless at doing its job to keep your pool clean? Unfortunately, this is where many people will be headed if they don’t pay attention to the labels and types of pool shock that will be commonly available this year! There’s no question that over the COVID years, supply chains for virtually every industry were disrupted, and the pool and spa industry were one for sure when factoring in many simultaneous disturbances in the same timeframe. Unfortunately, the shortages for multiple forms of pool sanitizers--like chlorine--were dramatically affected; and as we gear up for a new 2022 pool season, new items are being added to that list, specifically granular calcium hypochlorite (Cal-Hypo), arguably one of the best and most popular forms of pool shock available. “Cal-Hypo” shock is packaged under MANY labels and the benefits of this formula of shock are it’s very fast acting, and it slightly raises the calcium levels of the pool water – which has several benefits and helps prolong the life your pool surface and equipment. It’s also the shock preferred to be paired with one of the most popular forms of chlorine sanitizer, 3” tabs (Trichlor), which separately have gone through their own shortages over the past year. The primary reason it is the perfect pairing is because Cal-Hypo shock is NOT STABILIZED, while Trichlor tabs are. Ideally, if your primary form of sanitizer is stabilized chlorine tabs, you should NOT use a stabilized form of shock. If stabilized shock is paired with a stabilized primary chlorine, your stabilizer (Cyanuric Acid) can increase rapidly past the recommended range. Cyanuric Acid, labeled as various names such as chlorine stabilizer or pool water conditioner, is very good for your pool water--to a point. It acts as “sunscreen” for chlorine, preventing it from degrading and “burning off” in the sun. Many popular forms of pool chlorine have stabilizer inherently built into them, so they are more stable and efficient at sanitizing your pool water. Unfortunately, if the stabilizer level in the water exceeds recommended levels, it has very negative effects on pool water. As the stabilizer level increases, the effectiveness of chlorine’s ability to sanitize the water decreases, so ultimately the higher the stabilizer level is, the MORE chlorine your pool requires to be properly sanitized. Pools that are over-stabilized may require two to three times the recommended sanitizer (chlorine) level than normal! With recent costs of chlorine, who wants that? One of the easiest ways to prevent over-stabilization is to make sure you pair a non-stabilized shock (such as Cal-Hypo) with your stabilized sanitizer (such as tabs). Unfortunately, with upcoming shortages now predicted in the supply chain for Cal-Hypo, we’re seeing STABILIZED GRANULAR SHOCK flood the market. This stabilized granular shock is commonly referred to as Dichlor, and pairing Dichlor shock with Trichlor tabs is a recipe for the fast-track to overstabilization. Dichlor shock has its use, and has some benefits when used in specific instances; however, it should NEVER be used in large amounts or routinely paired with Trichlor tabs. Always make sure you are using Cal-Hypo shock to open your pool, to clear up a “swamp” or dirty pool, or for routine shocking when paired with chlorine tab usage. Many times, Dichlor shock is masked and marketed as “multipurpose”, all-in-one, quick-swim or “smarter” types of shocks. Unfortunately, homeowners need to be aware--now more than ever with predicted Cal-Hypo shortages, Thankfully, Pool & Patio Center has planned for such and will have a tremendous supply of the right shock for your pool! Poolife TURBOSHOCK The Strongest Shock on Earth! 78% Calcium Hypochlorite Examples of DICHLOR Stabilized Shock Products and Brands - Remember, DO NOT USE in large doses or pair with Tabs!
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