Get matched with top pool table assembly pros in Hilliard, FL

No, shock and chlorine are not the same thing, though they are related and both are used for pool maintenance. Regular chlorine, often in the form of tablets, is a sanitizer used for routine, day-to-day maintenance to keep a steady chlorine level. Pool shock, however, is a highly concentrated dose of chlorine used periodically for a more intense cleaning. It rapidly raises chlorine levels to fix issues like cloudy water or algae growth and also eliminates chloramines, which are byproducts of regular chlorination. Because their purposes and concentrations differ, they are not interchangeable, and proper pool care typically requires using both.

How often you should add water to your pool depends on how quickly the water evaporates. Keep an eye on your skimmer box, if you have one. Top up the water in your pool if you notice the water levels are lower than the bottom third of your skimmer. This helps prevent damage to your pump. 

Replace all the water in your pool every five to seven years, depending on how often you use your pool, the weather, and whether or not you close your pool for the winter.

You should add chlorine within 48 hours of filling your pool with water. In just 24 hours, bacteria and algae will begin to grow and contaminate your water. After that point, you’ll need to shock the water with high levels of chlorine, and you’ll likely need to do additional vacuuming to get the pool clean. It’s important to check your chlorine levels two to three times a week and add more chlorine as needed to maintain a healthy level.

Any number between 7.2 and 7.8 is an ideal pH for swimming pools or 80 to 120 ppm. Your pool testing kit should be able to measure both of these numbers. If your pool’s pH is below this range, the water is too acidic and can cause scaling and damage to pool equipment. If the water’s pH is above this range, it can decrease the effectiveness of necessary chemicals, like chlorine.