Professional-Grade Pool Shock. Zero CYA Buildup.

Cal hypo is the most widely used granular pool shock for good reason. It delivers 65% available chlorine, dissolves in water, and contains zero stabilizer. For routine maintenance and algae treatment, cal hypo gives you strong oxidation without the CYA buildup that trichlor creates over time.

The standard dosage is 1 pound of Aqua Org Plus per 10,000 gallons of pool water for routine shocking. For severe algae blooms or very low chlorine readings, double or triple the dose. Always test free chlorine after treatment and wait until it drops to 1-4 ppm before swimming.

Cal hypo (calcium hypochlorite) is unstabilized and adds no cyanuric acid to your water. Trichlor (trichloroisocyanuric acid) contains built-in stabilizer, which raises CYA every time you add it. High CYA levels reduce chlorine effectiveness, a condition called chlorine lock. Cal hypo avoids that problem entirely.

Yes. Aqua Org Plus cal hypo works with saltwater systems. Saltwater generators produce chlorine continuously, but they cannot handle algae blooms or sudden contamination alone. Cal hypo shock provides the burst of chlorine needed to regain control, then the salt cell resumes daily sanitization.

No. Calcium hypochlorite is non-stabilized and adds zero CYA to your pool water. If your CYA levels are already high from using stabilized products, switching to cal hypo for shocking allows those levels to gradually decrease through dilution and splash-out rather than continuing to climb.

Wait until free chlorine drops to 1-4 ppm. This typically takes 8-24 hours depending on pool volume, sunlight exposure, and initial dosage. Test with a reliable liquid drop kit rather than test strips for an accurate reading. Swimming above 4 ppm can cause skin and eye irritation.

Two common causes: underdosing or high CYA levels. If your CYA is above 60-80 ppm, even strong shock may not overcome the stabilizer's grip on free chlorine. Test CYA separately. If levels are too high, a partial drain and refill is the only way to bring CYA down. Then re-shock with cal hypo.

Each has trade-offs. Granular cal hypo at 65% concentration delivers far more chlorine per pound than liquid chlorine at 10-12.5%. Granular stores for years in dry conditions; liquid degrades in months. Liquid requires no dissolution step and leaves no calcium residue. Many pool owners use both: cal hypo for weekly shock, liquid for daily sanitizer adjustments.

Keep the pail sealed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. Never store above 125 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep it separated from other pool chemicals, especially trichlor, acids, and organic materials. The Aqua Org Plus pail includes an inner plastic bag liner for double-sealed moisture protection.

Non-stabilized means the product contains no cyanuric acid. CYA acts as a sunscreen for chlorine, slowing UV degradation, but it accumulates and never leaves the water naturally. Non-stabilized shock like Aqua Org Plus lets you control your CYA level independently by adding stabilizer only when you choose to.

Yes, broadcast the granules directly into the water with the pump running. Distribute evenly and brush the floor to prevent settling. Some pool owners with vinyl liners prefer pre-dissolving granules in a 5-gallon bucket of water first to prevent any chance of surface staining. Both methods work.

Once per week during swimming season keeps chlorine levels stable and prevents algae from gaining a foothold. Shock after heavy use, rainstorms, or any visible change in water clarity. Seasonal pools benefit from a strong opening shock in spring and a closing shock before winterization.

CYA accumulates from stabilized chlorine products like trichlor tablets. The only way to reduce CYA once it climbs above 60-80 ppm is a partial drain and refill. Switching your shock treatments to non-stabilized cal hypo like Aqua Org Plus stops the buildup at the source while you use stabilized tabs for daily chlorine.

Never mix different chlorine products together in dry form or in the same container. Cal hypo and trichlor can react violently when combined directly. In the pool water itself, using different chlorine sources at different times is standard practice, but always add them separately with the pump running.

High CYA levels are the most common culprit. When CYA exceeds 60-80 ppm, chlorine gets "locked" and cannot sanitize effectively no matter how much you add. Test your CYA with a reliable kit. If it reads high, perform a partial drain-and-refill before adding more shock.

Cloudiness often comes from suspended debris, dead algae, or imbalanced pH. Vacuum the pool and clean the filter first. Then shock with Aqua Org Plus to oxidize remaining organic matter. Adding shock to a dirty pool without physical cleanup can make cloudiness temporarily worse.

If you need to raise chlorine levels quickly with zero residue, liquid chlorine works well. If you want the highest concentration per pound, long shelf life, and easy storage, granular cal hypo wins. Many experienced pool owners keep both on hand and use them for different situations.

A professional-grade liquid drop test kit (Taylor K-2006 or equivalent) gives the most accurate readings for free chlorine, combined chlorine, pH, alkalinity, and CYA. Basic test strips can be inconsistent and hard to read, especially for CYA measurements where precision matters most.

Yes, liquid chlorine degrades significantly within a few months, especially in heat or sunlight. Buy only what you plan to use soon. Granular cal hypo has an advantage here. Stored sealed in a cool, dry place, it maintains its 65% concentration for years.

Individual wrapping protects each dose from moisture during storage and transport. You get pre-measured doses that eliminate guesswork. Each 1-pound bag treats exactly 10,000 gallons. The packaging also prevents the granules from clumping or losing potency between uses over a long season.