In the world of Swimming Pools and Spas, most problems are the simple results of you changing something or adding something to your pool water. Pool Chemicals like Shock Chlorine have ingredients that temporarily make the appearance look different while working. Why is my Pool cloudy after adding shock?
The cloudiness in the pool after shocking is normal, & should only last an hour or so, due to the reaction of dissolving crystals, salts, and inert materials like Calcium and Cyanuric Acid found in Calcium Hypochlorite based Shock Chlorine products.
There are different types of Shock Chlorine on the market today but the most common and strongest is Cal-hypo or Calcium Hypochlorite which contains other ingredients that help it do its thing.
Cloudy Pool Water After Shock Treatment
Cloudy water after Shocking is normal. If you are using chlorine tablets in your swimming pool, you won’t be used to seeing the burst of granular chlorine dissolving in your pool. The 3″ tablets that are used in the floaters are meant to dissolve very slowly and keep the sanitizing at a pace where they are easier to maintain. The pool operator (that would be you) will have less work to do.
Granular Chlorine can be the most effective Chlorine to use especially in bigger concrete pools where there is no danger of chlorine settling to the bottom of the pool and damaging the paint or surface. I personally like seeing the cloudiness in the pool that represents the mix and the area that the Shock is covering. Adding the Shock Chlorine at night with pool light on gives me a reliable feeling that I am applying and broadcasting the Shock in an appropriate manner covering the surface area of the pool.
If your Pool Water isn’t cloudy before you add the shock Chlorine to the pool then the cloudiness has more to do with the Shock Chlorine than the chemistry in your swimming pool.
There could be various reasons why your pool water turned cloudy.
- The initial reaction of the granular hitting the pool and dissolving. Most quality Granular Chlorine contains fast-dissolving crystals.
- Most Shock Chlorine is Calcium Hypochlorite pool shock and is made with Calcium if your pool water is slightly on the hard side it might have a cloudy effect.
- All Granular Chlorine like Shock Chlorine contains inert material that comes out when diluted in your pool especially at night under the pool light. You are Shocking your pool at night, aren’t you?
- Use the best Shock Chlorine by reading the label on its container.
- There are other ingredients that can temporarily cause a small amount of cloudiness cyanuric acid can come out of the solution when very high. Test your cyanuric acid (stabilizer) level every month or two to be sure that it doesn’t rise above 50 ppm.
What is Pool Shock Made Of
There are active ingredients along with inert ingredients used to manufacture Pool Shock that help the chemical to dissolve and this is what you see after adding the chemical. After the initial reaction of the Shock Chlorine, the cloudiness, and oxidation will last a short while as the water dissolves the salts and crystals in the contents of the Calcium Hypochlorite which is the most common, strongest, and cheapest oxidizer, available in two strengths, Shock and Super Shock. A good Calcium Chlorite Product recommended by MyWaterEarth&Sky is Zappit 73% Cal Hypo Pool Shock – Calcium Hypochlorite Super Shock 50lb
Leaving your filter on will circulate the pool and eventually dissolve the inert ingredients, calcium, and binders that are used in the product. Within a short time especially if the pool water is chemically balanced, the pool will clear up. Depending on how much you used there will be traces of it as it disperses and dissolves before it disappears.
When the swimming pool’s usage is on a different day today, the temperatures can be extreme. Which way is the best way to add Chlorine to your swimming pool chlorine tablets or granules? Read my article on MyWaterEarth&Sky called Chlorine Tablets vs Granules
Best Pool Shock Treatment
The best Chlorine and Shock Chlorine to use is the most powerful you can buy. You can get this information printed on the packaging. With Granular Sodium Hypochlorite Shock, there are 2 strengths. Regular Shock and Super. If you buy Shock, always super chlorinate or shock your pool at night for the best kill rate. On the back of the bag check for the listed ingredients. A 1 lb bag is common:
- Regular Shock-Active Ingredient-Sodium Hypochlorite-Maximum Percentage is usually around 68 %
- Other Ingredients or Inert Ingredients are around 62%
- Available Chlorine– around 65%
Super shock contains more chlorine than any other swimming pool shock formula and also acts faster to kill contaminants. This type of Shock is generally used for start-up or when there is visual cloudiness or algae that has already started in the pool.
- Super Shock- Active Ingredient is Sodium Hypochlorite- AC or Available Chlorine is around 68- 73%-Other Ingredients are 27%-Each 1 lb bag is a dosage for 10,000 gallons
Use a Pool Chemical Calculator for the best results and for saving money like this one.
Best Pool Shock Treatment
Calcium Hypochlorite is commonly seen as granular Chlorine but also is in tablet form. Calcium Hypo has an AC of 40-78% and it is the most popular of the Chlorines. Calcium Hypo is used regularly in both home and commercial pools and is usually what is seen on your local market shelves. Shock’s active ingredient is the same as Calcium Hypochlorite but is at a higher level. If you use a higher amount of granular chlorine to “Bump” the residual you’ll get the same result that shocking gives you.
If you have a concrete or cement pool you don’t need to mix any kind of Chlorine to add to your pool. When you mix it you activate it. You lose some of the punch it has. Use a Fast Dissolving Granular Shock Chlorine. In fact, I use Granular Chlorine for regular maintenance Sanitizing, and Shocking. I just bump the amount to achieve high levels (5 mg/l or above) of residual. If the water turns cloudy it’s always temporary.
Good Tip: Buy Shock from a Pool Supply Store, not a Home Improvement Store as bigger stores are not allowed to carry stronger types of chlorine chemicals.
The difference between the Calcium Hypochlorite sold in pool stores versus local mart stores is the AC level or the Available Chlorine that is written on the package. Remember: the higher the AC level the more disinfectant is going into your pool. Sodium Hypochlorite is a liquid Chlorine and has around 10-12% Available Chlorine. If you’re dealing with a liner then you may want to use this Bleach sanitizer but otherwise, I don’t recommend it.
JimGalloway Author/Editor
