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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.

Baking soda can help to clear your cloudy pool water if the alkalinity or pH is too low. Adding baking soda to your pool will increase the alkalinity and help bring your pH levels to a more comfortable range. Be sure to test the water as you add baking soda.

You’ll save money by filling your pool by hose rather than water delivery. Since water delivery includes delivery fees and filling the pool, the savings between the two can be a difference of up to several hundred dollars. Generally, using your hose costs $26 to $70 less per 1,000 gallons than using water delivery.

The best way to dissolve algae is to use pool shock. The shock increases the free chlorine levels in your pool, which in turn kills bacteria, microorganisms, and algae. You can opt for granulated shock that you mix with water or a premixed liquid shock.

Keep in mind that using pool shock is just one of the steps you need to take to get rid of algae from your pool. Unless you also brush, vacuum, and clean the filter, your algae problem may return.