CYA too high - help

[vbaddict]

Time how long it takes to fill a 5 gallon pail with 5 gallons. You can calculate how long it will take. Exchange for that period of time.
Run the out pump in a way that it will maintain the pool water level.

That makes sense.
One of the things that is confusing is that my pool strip says the stabilizer is low. When I do the test with my test kit, it says it's 100. How can they be so radically different?
Should I take a sample to a pool store to verify?

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Trust your test kit.

Does it make sense that you have high CYA? How was your pool chlorinated? If you used tablets or granular forms of chlorine containing stabilizer Trichlor/Dichlor), your CYA would increase over time.

 

[vbaddict]

Trust your test kit.

Does it make sense that you have high CYA? How was your pool chlorinated? If you used tablets or granular forms of chlorine containing stabilizer Trichlor/Dichlor), your CYA would increase over time.

It does make sense. Hubby uses tabs mostly (they do contain stabilizer). And then he shocks it once in a while. The pool is green yet the chlorine levels, ph, and alkalinity are all good.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Makes sense than. @Newdude says getting your water tested at the pool store is like cheating off the stupidest kid in class.

 

[vbaddict]

Makes sense than. @Newdude says getting your water tested at the pool store is like cheating off the stupidest kid in class.

LOL

 

[vbaddict]

We tried the drain & exchange but our pump was taking it out way faster than we could refill it even with 2 hoses going. We got about 18 inches out but then our liner started to wrinkle at all the corners so we stopped. Now when I test, the Cya is still 100 and my FC has dropped to .50. The ph was high but I adjusted it and now it's 7.5.

Now what? We are really discouraged. SLAM chart says to add 10 gallons of shock ((((

 

[PoolStored]

You still need to lower your CYA. You can add backpressure to the pump by putting the hose over a tall ladder to slow the pump out rate. You can also turn it on and off, so that the water level in the pool stays level.

You need to exchange another 40% of your pool, maybe more.

Do the diluted test here, #8, to figure out your actual CYA level:

CYA - Cyanuric Acid Test

Cyanuric acid (CYA) is the chemical name for the product commonly called “pool water stabilizer” … Read more…

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[vbaddict]

You still need to lower your CYA. You can add backpressure to the pump by putting the hose over a tall ladder to slow the pump out rate. You can also turn it on and off, so that the water level in the pool stays level.

You need to exchange another 40% of your pool, maybe more.

Do the diluted test here, #8, to figure out your actual CYA level:

CYA - Cyanuric Acid Test

Cyanuric acid (CYA) is the chemical name for the product commonly called “pool water stabilizer” … Read more…

www.troublefreepool.com

We are on a hill so the water pressure is low. Doing the drain and exchange while maintaining the water level will take days. There are no other options?

 

[PoolStored]

We are on a hill so the water pressure is low. Doing the drain and exchange while maintaining the water level will take days. There are no other options?

Not really, you can use the tarp method, but that is a pain.

I have a large pool too, took me at least a couple days to do exchange. I feel you.

 

[vbaddict]

Things don't look as bleak now. I took a sample to my local pool guy. His machine says cya is 65. So we're going to start the SLAM. Fingers crossed and prayers to the Almighty!

 

[PoolStored]

Things don't look as bleak now. I took a sample to my local pool guy. His machine says cya is 65. So we're going to start the SLAM. Fingers crossed and prayers to the Almighty!

You should rely on your test, not the pool store. If you tested CYA of 100, it is more accurate than the pool store. If your CYA is 100+, you will likely not have a successful slam, and spend a lot of money on chlorine.

Please trust your test and bring the CYA down.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Did you retest your CYA after you refilled the 18" with fresh water? 18" should be around 1/3 of your pool's volume.

 

[vbaddict]

I did re-test and it came back with the same number. That makes no sense to me.

If the SLAM doesn't work, then we'll know that the test kit was right and the pool store was wrong.

 

[PoolStored]

Did you do the diluted test I posted?

 

[vbaddict]

yes

 

[PoolStored]

Did it read 50 or 100 when diluted?

 

[vbaddict]

50

 

[PoolStored]

Good luck! It will consume a bunch of chlorine. Interested in your progress!

 

[vbaddict]

started the slam yesterday afternoon. slammed roughly every 2 hours yesterday, so readings were .8, 18, 23, 24, and then it was 24 this morning. The goal is 26. Thoughts?

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

My concern is that your FC level will be too low for your CYA level. I have come to trust my Taylor-based tests. Having ridden the pool store roller coaster for years, I know how inconsistent and inaccurate their test results are. Hopefully it works out for you. I'll keep my fingers crossed.