Measuring pool shock

[MADQLDY]

New to pools - pool shock directions say use the whole pound; pool math recommends measuring, say 7 oz. What do you all do?

 

[Rocket J Squirrel]

Of course the manufacturer wants you to use more product. We measure.

Add the amount recommended by PoolMath. Wait half an hour and test the free chlorine level. Adjust if needed.

Do you have one of our recommended test kits?
Test Kits Compared

 

[JJ_Tex]

It really depends on how much chlorine you are trying to add to your pool and the size of your pool. Can you tell us the size of your pool, the actual strength/ingredients of your shock, and we can tell you what it will add to your pool.

I see its your first post so welcome. I'll post a few pointers and reading materials (ABC for starters, but there is lots of good info in pool school) for newbies:
- Pool shock is not recommended for regular chlorinating since it adds other ingredients like CYA or calcium that can build up in your pool and cause problems down the road.
- We advocate testing your own water with a quality test kit, and knowing exactly what you are adding to your pool
- There is lots of mis-information out there from people trying to sell you stuff, especially at pool stores. Try to stay out of these as their motivation is your $, not educating you and making sure you are caring for your pool the correct way.
- Dont be shy and post up questions. We are all here to help and were all newbies at one point too.

ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry

There are several items things every pool owner should know about swimming pool water. We share details on the basics of Pool Water Chemistry.

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[TinFoilHat]

What most of us do is use liquid chlorine, not powdered shock, so that we don't add CYA or Calcium to the pool unless we want to.

 

[MADQLDY]

I love this site. I actually didn't have any CYA (tested it once with new kit with drops), and Pool Math recommended 7.5 oz of shock (that's what I had). Added 5 lbs. of CYA. Later, added shock. When I read the shock, it said use all of product (had some warnings about using the whole thing). I figured it was just scare tactics, but wanted advice from this group. I had shock, but no liquid chlorine, so went with what I had and added 2 lbs. to my 13,456 gallon round above ground pool. Chlorine is now 10 or above, CYA was added but not retested, as my kit only has 2 tests total. Want to wait 5 days after adding CYA to test it (until I find a multiple test kit for CYA). Will be more conservative and add what pool math recommends from now on.

First question: what CYA test is out there that has more than 2 tests in it and doesn't cost an arm and a leg? I

Second question: I am going out to get liquid chlorine today. Prices vary greatly and % of chlorine varies greatly. Would like to get the best % at the best price (obviously).

Thank you for this forum. I'm a newbie, but have been working on this pool for about 8 weeks, and this site has been way more useful than the "pool guy." I believe that adding the 5 lbs. of CYA via sock method has brought it up well as my chlorine readings prior to adding CYA were 0. Now they are 10 or >. All my other levels are perfect.

 

[Katodude]

You need a good test kit. Go ahead and order a TF-100 Pro. You want the speed stir. A proper test kit is table stakes to owning a pool. Otherwise you are just guessing.