CYA question

[heckofagator]

Trying to learn here....

I have read that the only way to lower your CYA is to partially drain the pool and replace the water. I also read of people adding stabilizer to raise the CYA.

If CYA can only be lowered by replacing water, are the people who have to raise CYA people that have just drained their pool?

 

[Texas Splash]

Sometimes an owner replaced water for some other reason (i.e. high CH, metals, repair, etc). In those cases they needed to add stabilizer. For many new pool owners who were taking pool store advice, they didn't realize tabs (pucks) increase CYA quickly and got in over their head resulting in the need to change some water. So it depends.

 

[mknauss]

There are two ways CYA / Stabilizer is added to pool water.
First, using Cyanuric Acid powder/liquid. That is done at a fresh fill and over time as the CYA lowers due to splash out or very slow degradation due to UV impact. Those pool owners are using liquid chlorine or a Salt Water Chlorine Generator for their chlorine needs.
Second is the use of Dichlor/Trichlor solid chlorine products. If Dichlor/Trichlor is used continuously, then the CYA will rise until the chlorine in the pool is no longer effective. Then the pool must be drained to lower the CYA level.

 

[heckofagator]

ok, all those reasons make sense. So its needed in specific situations, but not something most pool owners would keep on hand and add regularly (I don't think)

 

[mknauss]

As you live where it rains, you should have some CYA on hand, depending on how you chlorinate. Your pool will overflow and thus the CYA level will fall.

 

[Newdude]

It burns off on its own around 3-5 ppm a month, and many in hot climates see it go faster than that when it gets hot. You also get 55 inches (most of a free water exchange) or so of rain a year so you will be adding at times. So buy a larger bag and have it on hand because it lasts darn near forever when stored in a cool dry place. Any brand CYA will do, just make sure the label says 100% Cyanuric Acid as many companies like to add stuff and sell it as +this or +that. New and improved..... extra BLUE spectacular plus.

 

[heckofagator]

ok, will def keep an eye on it. Still getting used to this new house and new pool.

My initial TF-100 test showed it at 50, which I think was good and then a month later a pool store's test showed it at 86. I'm going to give it another test and see how that compares. But I think now I have a little better understanding of it.

 

[mknauss]

My initial TF-100 test showed it at 50, which I think was good and then a month later a pool store's test showed it at 86.

Do not get your water tested at Pool Stores. Just confuses you. Use your best in class test kit.

 

[Mdragger88]

If you aren’t adding any stabilized products one of those results is wrong.
More often than not the pool store testing (especially for cya) is wrong.
Trust your kit & your testing. If u are unsure about what result u see when preforming the cya test you can always purchase the standard solution to double check your method here Standard Solutions
Be sure u are doing the test properly, outdoors on a sunny day & your test water is at around room temp.
Here’s some tips to perfect cya testing

CYA - Cyanuric Acid Test

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

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[heckofagator]

Good stuff. Yeah, I mainly wanted them to check my CH test results as I was getting 1800 on my tf-100 kit. And they showed 500. We're all over the place.....

Going to read up on each of these tests to see what little idiosyncrasies they might have