Which pool store is correct? Leslie’s Pool Supply or Pinch-A-Penny ??
Leslie’s tells me NOT to use the Liquid Chlorine (for Shock) because it is like 25 lbs. of Salt…They told me that my pool was too concentrated with chemicals and that I need to drain 2 feet from my pool and add 2 feet of CLEAN water back in and then re-test the water. Leslie’s Pool tells me to use the Chlorine Tablets and that here in Florida, we are the only state that even sells Liquid Chlorine in 2.5 Gallon re-fillable jugs…They told me everywhere else they sell it only in 1 gallon bottles (non-reusable bottles)
Pinch A Penny told me that Leslies in incorrect regarding the liquid chlorine and that Liquid Chlorine is indeed BETTER then the Chlorine Tablets (for shock)
Any pool experts willing to chime on in?
Thanks in advance!!!
Each form as it’s advantages and disadvantages. Liquid shock, while easy to apply, does have a relatively short shelf life and a high salt content. (I don’t recall the exact figure.) Powdered shock treatments (the most popular being some form of calcium hypochlorite), does have a longer shelf life and a much higher chlorine content (about 12% available chlorine for liquid vs. 65-75% for cal hypo.) I prefer using the cal hypo myself; there are those in my group (see below) who swear by liquid (part of what’s known as the “BBB” method.) I don’t share that opinion, but that’s just what it is: only my opinion. It’s really a matter of what you find works best for you.
As far as draining and refilling part of the water, the most common reason for that (or what Leslie’s is probably trying to describe) is a high TDS level (total dissolved solids). The salt content in the liquid will help contribute to that number, but then again, so will the calcium in the cal hypo over time. Anything added to the pool will increase the TDS in time, and will eventually need to be lowered by draining and refilling part of the water. Water added through evaporation won’t do it, since when the water evaporates, it leaves solids behind, so the concentraion in the pool stays the same even after new water is added.
As far as the liquid in 1-gallon jugs, that is the way we sell it in the Northeast, but it is available ito the trade in 5-gallon carboys (haven’t seen it available to the public that way, but I couldn’t swear that it isn’t..)