Pool Shock Calcium Hypochlorite 65% Question

fartoblue

fartoblue

Well-Known Member
I am experimenting with Pool Shock or the UK equivalent 65-70% calcium hypochlorite granules.

I have added 1 gram to some water then added this to my 100 liter res containing Nutrients @ 1.2 ec General Hydroponics 3 part.

Not sure of my back ground chlorine but it is from the tap (faucet) so will have some.
I have some pool test strips and it isn't even showing on the strip it is pure white not purple at all so sowing zero Chlorine.
Could something be neutralizing it?

Strips say there should be a slight colour change at around 0.5 - 1.0 ppm of chlorine.
 
redi jedi

redi jedi

Well-Known Member
Have you tried the test strips in the tap water? Just to see if the strips are any good. I add 1.2 grams of shock to 100 gallons to achieve 2ppm so you should have much more than that.
 
fartoblue

fartoblue

Well-Known Member
They just show blank on the tap water but show up purple in my hot tub. My 1 gram of granules would be around a little less than half a sowing thimble;e full.

I just can't understand it, Could the waterfall in the res neutralize it.
 
fartoblue

fartoblue

Well-Known Member
It actually showed perfect 3ppm with 1/2 gram before the nutes were added. I then added more to a full gram to tr and get a reading. (I haven't put the plants in yet)

Do you think I should just keep adding until I get a reading?
 
redi jedi

redi jedi

Well-Known Member
fartoblue said:
It actually showed perfect 3ppm with 1/2 gram before the nutes were added. I then added more to a full gram to tr and get a reading. (I haven't put the plants in yet)

Do you think I should just keep adding until I get a reading?
Click to expand...
Depends, do the strips measure total chlorine or free chlorine?
 
redi jedi

redi jedi

Well-Known Member
Ive read chlorine will combine with the nitrogen in nutrients and becomes...something else, cant remember atm. I wouldnt worry about it though. Ive been using shock for a few years now and I never have problems.
 
redi jedi

redi jedi

Well-Known Member
You could keep adding shock to nute solution to see if you get a reading but Im guessing you wont get a reading no matter how much you put in. Test strips kinda suck anyways, the best way is ORP meter but they are pricey.
 
Father Ramirez

Father Ramirez

Well-Known Member
I don’t grow hydro, but I’m a former pool professional. Liquid chlorine bleach is more benign than granular, which builds up TDS and salts. You’re using a small amount so maybe it doesn’t matter. But also bleach is much cheaper and not a fire/explosion hazard. No pool chemical company stores granular indoors. Possible Ka-boom when it gets wet, especially under pressure. Rarely it spontaneously combusts into flame but it happens
 
chex1111

chex1111

Well-Known Member
Father Ramirez said:
I don’t grow hydro, but I’m a former pool professional. Liquid chlorine bleach is more benign than granular, which builds up TDS and salts. You’re using a small amount so maybe it doesn’t matter. But also bleach is much cheaper and not a fire/explosion hazard. No pool chemical company stores granular indoors. Possible Ka-boom when it gets wet, especially under pressure. Rarely it spontaneously combusts into flame but it happens
Click to expand...
Why does it go liquid from a solid? I have some old stuff and it did that.
 
Father Ramirez

Father Ramirez

Well-Known Member
It doesn’t turn liquid, although I have seen packets of really old granular turn gel like. Granular is calcium hypochlorite. Liquid is sodium hypochlorite. Different chemicals
 
fartoblue

fartoblue

Well-Known Member
What I need to find out is there chlorine in there and it is just not showing or has it been neutralized.
 
Wastei

Wastei

Well-Known Member
fartoblue said:
What I need to find out is there chlorine in there and it is just not showing or has it been neutralized.
Click to expand...
Strips work pretty badly, they won't give me any readings. I think they only work with just chlorine and water and not a nutrient solution.

Get a chlorine meter or do some calculations on your own. Evaporation rate of chlorine is about 110 hours in still water. I add e3d to sterilize and remove biofilm. It's really hard to overdo it with chlorine. MJ can tolerate up to 10ppm. I give advices to add 5ppm to a existing pythium problem and then add 2ppm eod to e3d depending on aeration.
 
Last edited:
fartoblue

fartoblue

Well-Known Member
This is an interesting article, reading it seems we are wasting our time adding it to a nutrient solution as the Chlorine is reduced to zero almost immediately. It also says chlorine is converted to chloramine in the presence of nutrients (nitrogen)

Site permanently closed due to piracy and trading off Issues

Site permanently closed due to piracy and trading off Issues. Manic Botanix, nor its author, is in no way linked to any commercial interests claiming a link. Full stop. Contact [email protected] or follow on Instagram @manicbotanix
manicbotanix.com manicbotanix.com
 
fartoblue

fartoblue

Well-Known Member
Wastei said:
Strips work pretty badly, they won't give me any readings. I think they only work with just chlorine and water and not a nutrient solution.

Get a chlorine meter or do some calculations on your own. Evaporation rate of chlorine is about 110 hours in still water. I add e3d to sterilize and remove biofilm. It's really hard to overdo it with chlorine. MJ can tolerate up to 10ppm. I give advices to add 5ppm to a existing pythium problem and then add 2ppm eod to e3d depending on aeration.
Click to expand...
I have tested the strips with Pythoff which I believe is chloramine. The strips don't show chloramine which is what the chlorine may be converted to in nutrient solution.
 
Wastei

Wastei

Well-Known Member
fartoblue said:
This is an interesting article, reading it seems we are wasting our time adding it to a nutrient solution as the Chlorine is reduced to zero almost immediately. It also says chlorine is converted to chloramine in the presence of nutrients (nitrogen)

Site permanently closed due to piracy and trading off Issues

Site permanently closed due to piracy and trading off Issues. Manic Botanix, nor its author, is in no way linked to any commercial interests claiming a link. Full stop. Contact [email protected] or follow on Instagram @manicbotanix
manicbotanix.com manicbotanix.com
Click to expand...
I don't need an article to tell me if it removes biofilm or not. I can touch and feel fine with my fingers! :wall:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top