I fired my pool man when I learned I had CYA of 400ppm, ten times that recommended. Due to the water shortage in California I was wondering if I could bring my CYA down over time by using a non-stabilizing chlorine such as Calcium Hypochlorite, rather than draining and refilling the pool. I realize it may take considerable time. Or, am I so out of balance that I should change the water?
Reducing CYA with Calcium Hypochlorite?
- Thread starter tonto
- Start date
Welcome!
You will never bring the CYA down by switching to an unstabilized chlorine. You can only bring it down through dilution which mean.... drum roll please.... draining and refilling. Calcium Hypochlorite will add calcium.
Please add your pool specs to your signature so we can have a look see at your pool and equipment.
You will never bring the CYA down by switching to an unstabilized chlorine. You can only bring it down through dilution which mean.... drum roll please.... draining and refilling. Calcium Hypochlorite will add calcium.
Please add your pool specs to your signature so we can have a look see at your pool and equipment.
Welcome to TFP ! ?
Unfortunately using non stabilized chlorine will not solve the problem. The only way to lower the CYA level is by water replacement.
I'm going to point you in the direction of pool school to do some reading and studying. Here are some good places to start out with.
http://www.troublefreepool.com/content/123-abc-of-pool-water-chemistry
http://www.troublefreepool.com/content/142-how-to-chlorinate-your-pool
Another thing I'm going to suggest, is investing in a good test kit. Without this you won't be able to manage your pool water chemistry on your own. The TF-100 is the best kit out there and the best value. It's the right tool for the job and the one I use along many other members on the forum.
http://www.troublefreepool.com/content/124-pool-test-kits-comparison.
Unfortunately using non stabilized chlorine will not solve the problem. The only way to lower the CYA level is by water replacement.
I'm going to point you in the direction of pool school to do some reading and studying. Here are some good places to start out with.
http://www.troublefreepool.com/content/123-abc-of-pool-water-chemistry
http://www.troublefreepool.com/content/142-how-to-chlorinate-your-pool
Another thing I'm going to suggest, is investing in a good test kit. Without this you won't be able to manage your pool water chemistry on your own. The TF-100 is the best kit out there and the best value. It's the right tool for the job and the one I use along many other members on the forum.
http://www.troublefreepool.com/content/124-pool-test-kits-comparison.
Just reinforcing, dilution is the only way to lower Cya, and you need to know your pool and fill water CH before choosing Cal-Hypo.
Welcome to TFP!
Depending in where you are in California, you may have access to a Reverse Osmosis service that can filter your pool water and remove CYA and calcium from the water with little water loss.
Depending in where you are in California, you may have access to a Reverse Osmosis service that can filter your pool water and remove CYA and calcium from the water with little water loss.
While in time CYA will decay, the process is a VERY slow one, and with a CYA of 400 I suspect it would take decades, so this is not a practical option.
Ike
Ike
When i first bought my house, my CYA was off scale (go figure). I used RO here in Phoenix, and it worked great. I have had bacteria chew up some cya, but that happens usually more when you are coming from the low side (<50 ppm). Then the cya you added in the sock will disappear over a winter, especially if your cya is less than 50 ppm.
I had a cya problem last year and it took draining and refilling water 8,000 gals at a time to leave a ft in the shallow end. That took five drain and fills 40,000 gals total for a 24,000 gal pool.