I bought this house with a pool a year ago (Tucson, AZ) and I'm completely over my head in maintaining it. I bought a Taylor Test Kit (had seen it recommended on here) and noticed my CYA is way high. Last time I checked, it was over 100. Should I do a partial drain to get it back to where it needs to be? Weather should be cooler next week (72 degrees for a couple days) and I bought a sump pump so I thought it would be a good time to drain if that's what's required. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Again, I am new to ALL of this and would appreciate gentle guidance on what to do. Thank you!
First time pool owner, should I drain due to high CYA?
- Thread starter new2pool45
- Start date
-
- Tags
- cya drain inground pool sump pump
- Feb 6, 2015
- 6,373
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Welcome to TFP! 
What is your CH?
Chances are it would be best to drain the entire pool and start fresh if the CH is 500+ and the CYAis high.
Please fill out your signature with your pool, pool equipment (manufacturers and model numbers) and test kit. This will help us to better help you and not need to ask for this info repeatedly.
If you haven't already, have a look at:
ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry
PoolMath
FC/CYA Levels
Recommended Levels
What is your CH?
Chances are it would be best to drain the entire pool and start fresh if the CH is 500+ and the CYAis high.
Please fill out your signature with your pool, pool equipment (manufacturers and model numbers) and test kit. This will help us to better help you and not need to ask for this info repeatedly.
If you haven't already, have a look at:
ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry
PoolMath
FC/CYA Levels
Recommended Levels
- Jun 22, 2014
- 48,562
- Pool Size
- 17888
- Surface
- Fiberglass
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Welcome to TFP!
www.troublefreepool.com
Pool Care Basics Archives
Your one-stop shop for all things TFP to include: ABCs of Water Chemistry, Recommended Chemicals/Levels, Test Kits, Troubleshooting, and much more!
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I will do a complete water test today and get back with the results.Welcome to TFP!
What is your CH?
Chances are it would be best to drain the entire pool and start fresh if the CH is 500+ and the CYAis high.
Please fill out your signature with your pool, pool equipment (manufacturers and model numbers) and test kit. This will help us to better help you and not need to ask for this info repeatedly.
If you haven't already, have a look at:
ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry
PoolMath
FC/CYA Levels
Recommended Levels
45,
Do you have a saltwater pool? Saltwater pools can use a higher CYA level, but if your CH is also high, draining is a must.
Thanks,
Jim R.
Do you have a saltwater pool? Saltwater pools can use a higher CYA level, but if your CH is also high, draining is a must.
Thanks,
Jim R.
Hi Jim, it's a freshwater pool. I will check the CH today and get back with the results to this post.
- Feb 6, 2015
- 6,373
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
Check your fill water CH also. It's probably between 200 and 250 in Tucson.
Do you have a water softener you can plumb to your autofill?
Don't forget to fill out your signature.
Do you have a water softener you can plumb to your autofill?
Don't forget to fill out your signature.
Please don't roast me too much with these numbers....
Total Chlorine 0, Total Bromine 0, pH 8.2, FC 0, CC 0, TC 0, CH 875, TA 110, CYA greater than 100.
That being the case, where do I go from here? Thanks everyone!
Total Chlorine 0, Total Bromine 0, pH 8.2, FC 0, CC 0, TC 0, CH 875, TA 110, CYA greater than 100.
That being the case, where do I go from here? Thanks everyone!
- Apr 10, 2018
- 5,470
- Pool Size
- 18375
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45
Please don't roast me too much with these numbers....
45,
You need to take a good read through this... ABCs of Pool Water Chemistry
I'd drain it all and start over. Do it now before the summer gets here.
Thanks,
Jim R.
Is it safe to completely drain a plaster pool or should I partially drain it? I've never done this before so I'm a bit unsure.
45,
Thousands of pools are replastered each year. They can't do it unless all the water is removed.
You only have to worry if you have a high water table, which is not going to be an issue in AZ.
You don't want to leave it empty and sitting in the sun for several days, but that should not be an issue with a little planning.
Thanks,
Jim R.
Thank you for your guidance. I will start draining the pool Tuesday. Clearly I'll make sure the pump is off, but is there anything else I need to be aware of before/during/after this process? I'll be using a sump pump.
- Apr 10, 2018
- 5,470
- Pool Size
- 18375
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45
That seems real high for your area and may suggest testing error. @proavia may have a better idea of CH of muni water in your area.
Are you using a Speedstir or SmartStir? They really help to achieve accurate and consistent results. These devices swirl for you. For the CH test, proper mixing/swirling is critical to accurate results.
When performing the CH test (or any drop-based test), hold the reagent bottle completely vertical, squeeze just enough until the drops fall off the tip of the dropper. Drops should be spaced about one second apart. If you don't have a Smart Stir, make sure you swirl well between drops and watch closely for the color change. Make sure your sample is right at the 10mL line.
You'll likely need to drain anyways, but your CH may be lower than you think.
Could very well have been user error. Will report back once I fill the pool up and test water!
Just started the draining process. Turned off pump and auto-fill, and threw in sump pump. I hope all goes well and will appreciate the end results of having lowered the CYA. Thanks!
- Apr 10, 2018
- 5,470
- Pool Size
- 18375
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45
If you're doing a full drain, take note of your water meter reading before you start filling. Check it when you're done to get an accurate estimate of your pool volume. It'll help in the future with chemical additions.
- Feb 6, 2015
- 6,373
- Pool Size
- 12300
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-45 Plus
In Tucson, a CH of 375 seems a bit high. It's usually 250-ish.
Are you on a well or a private water company? City of Tucson water?
When testing, measure the sample size carefully, hold the reagent bottle perfectly vertical, apply slight pressure to dispense one drop about every second. Let the drop fully form on the tip, don't force it off.
Are you using a speedstir? If not, consider getting one. It will make your testing much more consistent.
Are you on a well or a private water company? City of Tucson water?
When testing, measure the sample size carefully, hold the reagent bottle perfectly vertical, apply slight pressure to dispense one drop about every second. Let the drop fully form on the tip, don't force it off.
Are you using a speedstir? If not, consider getting one. It will make your testing much more consistent.