Okay to Use Potassium Monopersulfate

[JPMorgan]

I have several bags of Chlorine Free Shock (Potassium Monopersulfate 43%) that I have had in my garage for a few years. Does this product have any use in maintaining my pool or should I throw it out? I know when I order a pool closing kit it usually comes with several bags of this stuff. What are the benefits (if any) and potential problems with using this product?

 

[Donldson]

Not really any benefit in a pool unless there is an amazingly high amount of swimmers (say 10+ people in it continuously for hours and hours on end, for example). It provides supplemental oxidation but in a large water volume like a pool there is plenty of chlorine to take care of everything. The biggest problem with it is that it will give you a false CC reading for a while after using it.

It has its use in hot tubs, which involve much more person-to-water ratio, as well as people sweating from the heat so chlorine can use a bit of help oxidizing all that stuff. It also can reactivate bromine in a bromine tub. If you don't have a hot tub but know someone that does I would give it to them. Otherwise you might as well chuck it.

 

[JPMorgan]

Just so happens my neighbor has a hot tub. I'll let him know it's his if he wants it. Once or twice in the summer we do have a lot of swimmers in the pool. If I wanted to add this would I do it before it is getting a lot of use or afterwards? Is it only used as a shock? That's what is says on the bag...... "Chlorine-Free Shock". Would it be a good idea (and just as effective) to bump up the FC level when the pool is going to get heavy use? Thanks.

 

[pabeader]

Fc bump is what most folks I've read, do.

 

[Donldson]

It would honestly be a better idea to bump up the chlorine. Chlorine offers sanitation as well as oxidation, while this stuff just oxidizes. So while both will break down dead skin, sunscreen, and sweat from a person; only chlorine will also kill any bacteria or viruses that might happen to be brought in to the pool by that person. I like to say, "the second someone's butt hits the water there is fecal matter in the pool", so keeping FC levels above minimum at all times during a party is well worth it

 

[JPMorgan]

Thanks for the advice.