Some pool owners view “shocking� as the corrective treatment that is used after problems occur in their pools and spas. When corrective action is required, chlorine is often used as the shocking agent. There are drawbacks to using excessive chlorine shock treatments, including foul odors; irritation and dryness of hair and skin; and bleaching and fading of the pool liners, painted surfaces, covers and bathing suits.

To avoid these problems, a preventive program that includes products containing Oxone® and an EPA registered sanitizer keeps pool and spa water sanitized, oxidized and balanced. DuPont™ Oxone® pool and spa oxidizer helps make pool and spa care clear and simple. You’ll spend more time swimming and less time working when you follow these four easy steps to fresh, clear, sparkling water.

Step 1. Maintain sanitizer residuals
Step 2. Oxidize with products containing DuPont™ Oxone®
Step 3. Test and maintain proper water balance
Step 4. Maintain filtration equipment

Step 1. Maintain sanitizer residuals at 1–4 ppm (parts per million) at all times to control pathogenic (disease-causing) microorganisms and protect swimmers from disease and infection. Be sure to use an EPA-registered sanitizer in your pool or spa.

For in-ground pools with automatic chlorinators, this is usually done by keeping chlorine tablets in the chlorinator and adjusting the flow control valve on the chlorinator to maintain the desired concentration of free chlorine in the pool water.

For in-ground pools without automatic chlorinators and for above-ground pools, this is usually done by adding granular chlorine every one to two days to maintain the desired concentration of free chlorine in the pool.

For spas, there are several different sanitizer systems. The most common systems are based on bromine chemistry, using either bromine tablets or a two-part system using granular or liquid sodium bromide and DuPont™ Oxone® pool and spa oxidizer.

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Step 2. Oxidize with products containing DuPont™ Oxone® every week to control the buildup of nonmicrobial contaminants, which can cause water to become dull and cloudy.

It’s easy. Sprinkle products containing Oxone® powder over the surface of the water, slowly and uniformly, with the filter running. Because Oxone® dissolves quickly and is completely soluble in water, there’s no need to premix it. Add about two-thirds of the total dose over the deep end, following the dosage guidelines on the product label.
Note: The first time you use DuPont™ Oxone®, add a double dose to the water to ensure maximum elimination of any waste that may have built up.

Most people treat their pools and spas in the evening. That way, the next day, you can enjoy an early morning dip in fresh, clear, sparkling water. However, you can add products containing Oxone® to your pool or spa at any time and swim in 15–30 minutes in pleasant water — something you just can’t do with conventional chlorine shock treatments!

Remember, weekly oxidation is a preventive measure that keeps bather waste and other nonmicrobial contaminants at a minimum while allowing pool sanitizers to work at maximum efficiency, keeping pool and spa water sparkling clear.



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Step 3. Test and maintain proper water balance to protect pool surfaces and filter equipment from the damaging effects of corrosive or scale-forming water.

Keeping water balanced means keeping the pH, total alkalinity and calcium hardness within ranges recommended by the NSPI (National Spa and Pool Institute):
      - Total alkalinity should be 80–140 ppm.
      - pH should be in the range of 7.2–7.8, with 7.4–7.6 considered ideal.
      - Calcium hardness should be 200–400 ppm.

For a list of recommended chemical test kits, see the Glossary.

When pH, alkalinity and hardness are lower than the recommended ranges, the water tends to be corrosive. This can dissolve metals and minerals from filters, heaters and plaster pool surfaces, and can cause vinyl liners to become brittle and wrinkled.

When pH, alkalinity and hardness are higher than the recommended ranges, the water tends to be scale-forming. A calcium-based scale can deposit on pool surfaces, ladders, handrails, and filter and heater equipment. These deposits are unsightly on pool surfaces and tile borders, and can drastically reduce pool heater efficiency.

It’s best to test pH weekly. Total alkalinity and calcium hardness should be tested and adjusted at the beginning of each season and at least monthly thereafter.

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Step 4. Maintain filtration equipment. Your filtration equipment is the heart of your pool or spa, so be sure to keep filters clean and in good working order. For best results, run your equipment every day!

Sanitizers kill disease-causing microorganisms, and oxidizers attack and destroy swimmer wastes and organic contaminants. However, the filter is the physical component that removes the dead microorganisms and oxidized waste products from the water. Without proper filtration, it’s difficult to maintain clean and sparkling water with any chemical treatment regime.

That’s all there is to it!
Remember, you can also check out the answers to frequently asked questions about DuPont™ Oxone® pool and spa oxidizer, including:

• How Oxone® interacts with chlorine (Oxone® and chlorine)
• Oxone® and other products (The Basics)
• Oxone® in spas and indoor and outdoor pools (Why Oxone®?)
• The science of Oxone® (Oxone® and pool chemistry)
• Opening your pool in the spring (Why Oxone®?)

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