CYA in Salt Pools

SDPadres

Member
Jul 6, 2024
18
San Diego
Pool Size
16500
Surface
Plaster
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Pentair Intellichlor IC-40
I have read the Pool School information and it looks like I am following everything as recommended with the exception of CYA. I'm currently only have around 30 ppm of CYA in my pool because it is my understanding that the higher your CYA the more chlorine needed in the pool. Using this Orenda article I try to set my chlorine around 3-4 ppm and sometimes help out my SWG with liquid chlorine so that I don't overwork it. I'm conflicted as to whether I should raise my CYA and chlorine levels per this sites recommendation.
 
Your choice. TFPC has found that using a higher CYA with a SWCG allows us to use less FC per day from the SWCG, thus extending its life.
 
But if I have higher CYA I also need higher chlorine levels which means my SWCG needs to work harder to keep that higher chlorine level right?
 
You will need to raise the FC to the appropriate target level for the CYA. But then the daily loss of FC is less.

For instance, in my pool, during the height of summer, at a CYA of 80, I lose between 4 and 5 ppm FC per day. If the CYA drops to 60, that will go up by at least 2 ppm FC loss per day.
 
But if I have higher CYA I also need higher chlorine levels which means my SWCG needs to work harder to keep that higher chlorine level right?

Wrong.

At 80 CYA your FC target will be 10 and your daily FC consumption will be 4ppm per day.

At 50 CYA your FC target will be 7 and your daily FC consumption will be 5ppm per day.

Which CYA level will your SWG need to generate more chlorine and "work harder" or more accurately generate for longer?

Higher CYA does not make a SWG "work harder".
 
Last edited:
SD,

Higher CYA actually allows your cell to work less, not more

I don't check my CYA as often as I should... :sick: But, when I notice that my FC demand has gone up, it is always because I have let my CYA get a little too low.

We tell it like it is, because we have nothing to sell you... Orenda, on the other hand has plenty they want to sell you.. :mrgreen:

There is no 'requirement' for you to increase your CYA, and you can use 30 ppm if you want. We just know that higher CYA (within reason) allows you to reduce the cell's output percentage, which makes the cell last longer.

Many 'fear' having an FC higher than 4, because they have been brainwashed by the myths about the 'evils' of chlorine. The higher the CYA the less 'evil' there is.. :mrgreen:An FC of 4, with a CYA of zero, is much worse for you, than an FC of 10 or 12 with a CYA of 70 ppm.

That said, It is your pool and you are free to run it any way you want. :goodjob:

Thanks,

Jim R.
 
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