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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.

A solar cover can heat your pool anywhere from 5 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit over the course of 6 to 12 hours, depending on how much full sun your pool gets and how big it is. When used in conjunction with a solar pool heater, your pool will heat up even faster, all while using less energy than a traditional pool heater.

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.

It's not a good idea to drain an aboveground pool into your yard since the pool water's chemicals can harm your plants and the surrounding ecosystem. Instead, it's best to drain the pool into an appropriate sewer so it can be processed at a water treatment plant. You might also be able to drain it into your storm drain, depending on your region. Check with your city to learn about any relevant regulations.