What Is Granular Pool Shock and How Does It Differ from Liquid Chlorine

When purchasing pool maintenance supplies, you will inevitably come across different forms of chlorine for your pool.

Though chlorine is actually a gas, it has become a generic term for the hypochlorous acid that sanitizes pools, used in a process called "shocking." It is one of the safest and most cost-effective ways to sanitize a confined body of water and eliminate bacteria, algae, germs, and viruses.

There are a few notable differences between granular pool shocks and liquid chlorine, which you have to know before deciding which will work better for your pool.

Types of granular pool shock

There are three main types of granular pool shock. The most common kind is Calcium Hypochlorite or Cal Hypo, which is the most economical and maintains the power of chlorine shocks needed to clean out a pool.

The other type of pool shock is Dichlor, or Sodium Dichloro-S-Triazinetrione. This fast-acting solution stains less than Cal Hypo but has a lower concentration of chlorine.

The third kind of granular shock is chlorine-free. Called Potassium Monopersulfate, this is a chemical used when you don't want or need chlorine to shock the pool entirely. While it lacks chlorine's power, it doesn't impact the water's pH and alkaline levels as much and can make the water safe for swimming in under 15 minutes.

Power

Most liquid chlorine is a powerful concentration between 5% and 12.5% sodium hypochlorite, which is the active substance that makes the acid. Granular pool shock, however, is branded at 50-70% chlorine. It needs to be dissolved in water before being poured into the pool, so the result will usually be the same. Non-chlorine granular shock is the weakest of the lot but still has powerful antibacterial and algaecide qualities. In general, liquid chlorine will be a more robust solution for getting the pool season started, and granular shocks are better used for maintenance.

Shelf life and transporting

Liquid chlorine needs to be stored and transported in jugs. It has a relatively shorter shelf life due to its volatility and may be harder to find for commercial pools. Granular pool shock will often come in buckets or bags that can be stored for a more extended period. Additionally, while liquid chlorine can be dangerous to carry in large containers that need to be refilled by professionals, granular shock is carried in safe bags that are much easier to move.

Use

There is a crucial difference between using the granular pool shock when compared to liquid chlorine. The granules need to be dissolved in water before the shock can be used in a pool. Liquid chlorine, on the other hand, can be poured straight from the jug. Additionally, liquid chlorine is non-staining and leaves almost no trace when the shock is done, unlike granular shock.

Cost

Depending on the pool's size, liquid chlorine can be the more cost-effective and sustainable solution, as it uses refillable jugs. However, it might be harder to come by than granular pool shock and more challenging to transport.

Flawless Image Pool Service is a veteran-owned and operated residential pool maintenance team for Hillsborough County. Our Certified Pool Operators provide top-notch pool maintenance, 20 years of experience and reliable service. Call 813-536-3941 today!