Changing the Total alkalinity in the chemistry of your pool water is a slow process slower than any other chemical adjustment process that you will make if you own a swimming pool inground or aboveground the one thing I learned after 30 years of owning an inground pool. Never add chemicals too close together. Can I add Alkalinity, and Shock at the Same Time?
No, Never add chemicals at the same time, whether you’re balancing the H2O, shocking the pool, or adding a specialty chemical. For most H2O balance changes, the pump needs to run for at least 4 hrs, or long enough for the pump to turn over the pool before you can add shock chlorine or retest the H2O.
Follow these directions for adding chemicals to your swimming pool whether it’s inground or small aboveground patience is needed especially when you balancing alkalinity readings that are too low or too high.
Introduction:
When adding pool chemicals to your swimming pool, it’s important to avoid adding certain chemicals with others that may have negative reactions in the pool. You can avoid chemical conflicts by following instructions on each product to see when and how they can be introduced to the pool, as well as how long to wait before swimming or adding additional chemicals to the water.
Make sure the pump is running at high speed during and between chemical additions, which will help disperse the product throughout the pool. You should also add chemicals in different areas of the pool to help prevent adverse reactions. Below, you’ll find a list of some incompatible pool chemical combinations that should never be mixed.
Can I Add Alkalinity and Shock at the Same Time
Yes, you can add an alkalinity increaser (such as baking soda) and shock treatment (oxidizer) to your hot tub water at the same time, but it’s generally recommended to add them separately. Adding them separately allows for better control and effectiveness of each chemical.
First, adjust the total alkalinity level by adding the appropriate amount of alkalinity increaser according to your hot tub’s specifications and water testing results. This helps stabilize the pH level and prevent fluctuations.
Once the alkalinity is balanced, wait for some time to allow the water to circulate and mix thoroughly. Then, proceed to shock the hot tub by adding the required amount of shock treatment. Shocking the water helps eliminate organic contaminants, bacteria, and other impurities, restoring water clarity and freshness.
By adding alkalinity increaser and shock treatment separately, you can ensure that each chemical performs its intended function optimally without interfering with the effectiveness of the other. Remember to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for dosing and safety precautions when adding chemicals to your hot tub water. Regular testing and maintenance are essential for keeping your hot tub water balanced, clean, and safe for use.
If you can take anything from these articles then remember that you should never mix any chemicals and that any pool chemicals should always be added one at a time and never stored together. Wait a while before adding any shock chlorine to your swimming pool Look at pool water levels.
I recommend that for any Balancing chemical added to the pool water be patient and try to wait for the pool water to be turned over. Most pool pumps are sized and should be able to turn over the pool water completely 2-4 times a day.
You can find out the pool pumping rate from the specs on the filtering system. First, find out the volume of your pool and how much water it holds. Then calculate the pumping rate of the pool pump without the timers on.
How Long Do You Wait Between Adding Pool Chemicals?
All pool chemicals take their own time to mix and dissolve when added to pool water then changing the chemistry of the pool water but it all depends on the chemical’s active ingredients or strength the volume of your pool, and how much change is needed ………………………………………………… Read more
*For a square or rectangle-shaped pool, the formula is length x width x Average depth = volume x 7.5 gals. (in a cubic foot) will give you how many gallons your pool holds.
A 1.5 HP pump would give you a flow rate of approximately 90 gallons per minute which would circulate this pool just fine
if you run the pool 8 hours per day, you need to “turn over” the water once per day. If you take 24,000 gallons divided by 8 hours, that means you need to circulate 3000 gallons per hour or 50 gallons per minute.
So a pool that is 20 ft. long and 18 ft. wide and has an average depth of 6 ft = 2160 cu ft. x 7.5 = 16,200 gallons in your pool. If your 1.5 hp pool pump pulls approximately 90 gals/per min 16,200 divided by 90 =180/60 mins in an hour 3+ hours.
In about 3 hours your pool is turned over which means any chemical added to your swimming pool is mixed between 3 and 4 hrs. You should wait around 4 hours to retest Alkalinity before moving forward. If this doesn’t make sense to you use a Pool Volume Calculator
How Long After Alkalinity Can I Shock
Total Alkalinity in a swimming pool is always the longest time to get results. This is because the results depend on the size of your pool, the active ingredient in the chemical, and the target you are looking for the chemistry has to change in the pool water completely. When adding an acid like muriatic acid the results will even fluctuate and become unstable for some time. It would be best if you waited even longer for the pool to turn over. I will add acid or an alkaline chemical at night and retest in the morning for a more stable reading with the filter running. Then add shock chlorine.
If you add acid this will lower both the total alkalinity and pH. Check the total alkalinity last. Add stabilizer and chlorine afterward. Add them one at a time waiting 10-30 mins between different chemicals (except for pool shock or cal-hypo – wait 24 hours). Granular chlorine, pH, and alkalinity-adjusting chemicals can be dissolved first in a bucket of water. But not at the same time of course.
Certainly, here’s a list format for your convenience:
- Adjust Alkalinity: Add the required amount of alkalinity increaser to your hot tub water and allow it to circulate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Wait Period: Wait for the alkalinity increaser to dissolve and distribute evenly throughout the water during the waiting period.
- Test Alkalinity: Use a test kit to verify that the alkalinity levels have reached the desired range before proceeding.
- Shock Treatment: After the waiting period, add the appropriate amount of shock treatment to the hot tub water according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Distribute Shock: Allow the shock treatment to circulate in the water for several hours or overnight to ensure thorough distribution and effectiveness.
- Test Water: Regularly test the water chemistry to monitor alkalinity and bromine levels and adjust as needed to maintain proper balance.
- Safety Precautions: Follow safety precautions and manufacturer guidelines when handling and adding chemicals to your hot tub water.
- Enjoy Clean Water: With proper maintenance and care, your hot tub will provide a safe and enjoyable soaking experience for you and your guests
Incompatible Pool Chemicals
Here’s a list of pool chemicals that should never be added at the same time due to potential reactions or hazards:
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Never Mix Chemicals Together Chlorine and Ammonia: Mixing chlorine-based sanitizers with ammonia-containing compounds (such as urine or certain cleaning products) can produce toxic chloramine gases, which can cause respiratory irritation and other health problems.
- Chlorine and Acid: Combining chlorine-based sanitizers with acids (such as muriatic acid or pH decrease) can release chlorine gas, a toxic and potentially lethal chemical, as well as generate heat and splattering.
- Chlorine and Calcium Hypochlorite Shock: Mixing different forms of chlorine shock treatments, such as granular calcium hypochlorite shock with chlorine tablets, can result in an exothermic reaction, releasing heat and potentially causing fires or explosions.
- Bromine and Chlorine: Combining bromine-based sanitizers with chlorine-based sanitizers can lead to chemical reactions and produce harmful byproducts.
- Algaecides and Clarifiers: Adding algaecides and clarifiers simultaneously can cause the water to become cloudy or hazy due to the formation of insoluble compounds.
- Bromine and Peroxide: Mixing bromine-based sanitizers with hydrogen peroxide or other oxidizing agents can lead to chemical reactions and reduce the effectiveness of both chemicals.
- Bromine and Non-Chlorine Shock: Combining bromine-based sanitizers with non-chlorine shock treatments can result in chemical interactions and potentially reduce water clarity and sanitation effectiveness.
- Cyanuric Acid and Calcium Hypochlorite: Adding cyanuric acid (stabilizer) and calcium hypochlorite shock simultaneously can lead to a chemical reaction that reduces the available chlorine in the water.
It’s crucial to follow manufacturer instructions and safety guidelines when adding chemicals to your pool or hot tub water to avoid hazardous reactions and ensure safe and effective water treatment. If unsure, always consult a professional pool service technician for guidance
In What Order Do I Add Pool Chemicals
In What Order Do I Add Chemicals to My Pool?
- Alkalinity(80-140 ppm) wait time 4-8 hrs.
- Retest TA
- pH (7.2 -7.6 ) wait time 30 min.
- Retest pH
- Calcium Hardness-(200–400 ppm) wait time-30 min.
- Cyanuric Acid-(25-50 ppm) wait time 30 min.
- Shock the Pool-10 ppm wait time -4 hrs.
- Algaecide after shock wait time-5 days ……………………………………….. Read more
References:
HyChl- In What Order Do I Add Pool Chemical
FAQ’s
- How do I shock my pool, and how often should I do it? Shocking involves adding a concentrated dose of chlorine or non-chlorine shock to oxidize organic contaminants. Shock weekly or after heavy use, following product instructions.
- Q: What is cyanuric acid (stabilizer), and why do I need it? Cyanuric acid helps stabilize chlorine from UV degradation in outdoor pools. Add as needed to maintain levels between 30-50 ppm, but avoid excessive buildup.
- Q: How do I prevent and treat algae growth? Regularly maintain proper sanitizer levels and circulation, brush pool surfaces, and shock weekly. Use algaecides for prevention or treatment, following product instructions.
- Q: How do I store pool chemicals safely? Store pool chemicals in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from sunlight, moisture, and incompatible substances. Keep them tightly sealed in their original containers and out of reach of children and pets.
- Q: What should I do if I accidentally spill or mix pool chemicals improperly? Immediately rinse affected areas with water, ventilate the area, and follow emergency instructions on the chemical label. If unsure, contact a pool professional or poison control center for guidance.
