Can I add CYA to a new pool without a proper test kit?

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TBurres

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May 14, 2021
12
Phoenix, AZ
Going through the pool school topics and I am feeling a sense of urgency about getting my CYA/FC balanced before I create an algae problem. I have test strips but just ordered test kits tonight so probably won’t have any accurate data for a few days. I have a SWG running but haven’t added stabilizer/CYA yet. Pool Math says 36 lbs of dry stabilizer is needed to get from 0 to 75, can I safely add 30 now while I wait for the test kit or should I wait until I can actually measure it?

Follow-up questions:
What brands of stabilizer are recommended and what should i expect to pay per lb.?
Where do I find a sock big enough to hold 36 lbs of it?
 
It it's fresh from the tap and you are confident about your pool size then go for it. Maybe add 50ppm as the first dose though rather than 30/36lbs.

Wait... 36 LBS?! That will look do 55,000 gallons from 0-75ppm. Are you absolutely sure about that?

I buy this which I saw recommend on here
$18 for 7lbs.

Use pool skimmer socks, or multiple socks, or just do it in batches. You can jiggle and squeeze them to hurry things along.
 
Since it's a new pool, you can assume your stabilizer level is 0 unless your builder put some in without you knowing. So you don't need to test it initially in this situation. I would put in 30 or 40 ppm for now, since you'll be increasing it to 70 or 80 after you receive your proper test kit. Don't rely on those 'guess strips' as we like to call them. I usually buy the Clorox dry stabilizer from Walmart. I believe it's 4 pounds for around $15 and I've never had an issue with it.

19 pounds should get you to 40ppm, and you can go from there after you get your test kit. You can use an athletic sock which should hold 2 to 4 pounds no problem. Do a couple at a time and squeeze them every once in a while to disperse the cya into the water. It will go quicker that way.

Wow, 57,600 gallons, that has got to be the biggest pool I've ever seen. Can you post some pics? We love pics!!
 
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Welcome to TFP! Good to have you here :)

Wow, that's one gigantic pool! What are the approximate dimensions in feet?

Yes, it's safe to add CYA, but perhaps start with half, wait a week, and then measure it when your kit comes. Maybe go with 10 lbs for starters. You get heaps of benefit from even 10-20 ppm CYA, so you'll be safe and able to keep chlorine in the pool.

As far as the sock, you could e-mail Shaquille O'Neal and see what he has ready for the garage sale. Or 5 lbs in a pillow case (rolled up so it won't block the skimmer basket, might work.
 
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The pool is roughly 40’ x 22’ with a 12’ deep end and 5’ shallow side. The original owner of the home was pool builder so he went all out!

Thanks for the advice - I will pick up some CYA today and get started! I see there’s a 100% CYA product on Amazon that is $75 for 25 lbs. I can’t get it right away, but I think I will order that so I have it when my test kit arrives.

Is it possible to dissolve the CYA by stirring in a 5 gal bucket and then adding that in front of a return? I was thinking I might do that in addition to to trying to get some of Shaq’s old socks for the skimmer baskets...

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There are many methods, but trying to dissolve raw CYA by dropping it in a bucket just doesn't work. You really need to agitate the CYA to get it to dissolve quickly.

When I add CYA in large amounts, I use pantyhose legs. I fill about 1-2 pounds of CYA in each one and hang them on the handle of a 5-gallon bucket filled with hot water. I let them sit for a couple hours and squeeze when the water cools down enough. I then place the bucket on a step so the top of the bucket is just covered with water. I use a water hose directed into the bucket and do a lot of squeezing of the pantyhose. Last time I used this method, I was able to dissolve several pounds of CYA in about an hour.
 
Rancho Cost-a-Lotta said:
There are many methods, but trying to dissolve raw CYA by dropping it in a bucket just doesn't work. You really need to agitate the CYA to get it to dissolve quickly.

When I add CYA in large amounts, I use pantyhose legs. I fill about 1-2 pounds of CYA in each one and hang them on the handle of a 5-gallon bucket filled with hot water. I let them sit for a couple hours and squeeze when the water cools down enough. I then place the bucket on a step so the top of the bucket is just covered with water. I use a water hose directed into the bucket and do a lot of squeezing of the pantyhose. Last time I used this method, I was able to dissolve several pounds of CYA in about an hour.
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Forgot to mention...if you use this method, use a rock to keep the bucket from floating. If you have a hose bib on you pool plumbing, use that as the water source so you don't have to worry about overfilling the pool. The bucket doesn't have to be completely submerged as long as you have water flowing inside.

Good luck!
 
TBurres said:
The pool is roughly 40’ x 22’ with a 12’ deep end and 5’ shallow side. The original owner of the home was pool builder so he went all out!
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That is a real 1 meter board. The original owner must have been a competitive diver to need that and a 12' deep end. Was it Greg L' by any chance! My cousin was a competitive diver and built a similar pool with a real 1 meter board and a 10' deep end. It was fun to go to pool parties at his house and watch him do 2 1/2 tucks with a twist of limon like he was making like umbrella drinks for the onlookers.

TBurres said:
Is it possible to dissolve the CYA by stirring in a 5 gal bucket and then adding that in front of a return? I was thinking I might do that in addition to to trying to get some of Shaq’s old socks for the skimmer baskets...
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Use the sock method and squeeze it frequently.. you should be able to empty the socks in 30 min or so with diligent squeezing... that is what I do. It will still take a few days for it to show up in your testing, so give some time.
 
Add about 2/3 of what you think you need , or 24 lbs, let circulate for a few days, and by then you should have your test kit to test your CYA level.

It is easy to add more CYA. You really don’t want to go over CYA 70 - 80. I would target CYA 70, add 2/3, which should get you around CYA 40, and the sneak up on your target with a few doses waiting a few days in between testing and adding more.
 
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Thanks all! Picked up 30 pounds today and have 25 lbs. going in via the sock method. Going to run the pump overnight and have the SWG at 75%. Test kit should be here Tuesday. BTW I was able to order a 45lb bucket of 100% CYA from Home Depot for $112 delivered. That was the best price I’ve seen so far.
 

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Squeeze that sock.. you should be able to get it into the water in a half an hour or so...

CYA is one of those chems that stores well. But everything is priced at a premium right now. I got a 25 lb bag a two years ago for 45 bux through Walmart online. That same bag is now $96 bux! (or 50 lbs for $130) So when I have to buy again I'll likely get it in smaller quantities until the prices come down.
 
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