CYA Sock in my Chlorinator?

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John-John

John-John

Member
Feb 9, 2025
9
Austin, TX
Pool Size
13092
Surface
Fiberglass
Chlorine
Liquid Chlorine
I’m lucky I found TFP and the system a few days before my new pool was complete. My pool came with an inline chlorinator which I’ve only used pucks the first week or so. I have been using liquid chlorine since then.

Since my chlorinator is not in use can I drop my CYA sock in there and turn it to completely open? It’s after my filter but before my heater.
 
Why not just put the sock in the skimmer? I would not mess with putting anything in a chlorinator. Removing it as soon as possible is the best idea.
 
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mknauss said:
Why not just put the sock in the skimmer? I would not mess with putting anything in a chlorinator. Removing it as soon as possible is the best idea.
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I’m new to all this and thought there might be more water friction inside the chlorinator than the skimmer and it would dissolve better and it’s after the filter so none of it get caught by that.

Again all new to this and by asking abnormal questions like this I find a better way or learn why it’s not.
 
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John-John said:
Again all new to this and by asking abnormal questions like this I find a better way or learn why it’s not.
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The only stupid questions are ones you don't ask. :cheers:

This is how i roll, it can easily be scaled down to use a sock or such.

How to add large batches of CYA

Hey Folks !!! With a large pool, I need 4lbs of CYA to only raise it 15, and I don't think I have that many socks without holes in them. So I use a Tshirt. Plus, I like that it's doubled up for redundancy. But it can also be scaled down with socks. So I measure out my dose and...
www.troublefreepool.com www.troublefreepool.com
 
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While you didn't mention which chlorinator, most do not ever give full flow through them - that would dissolve pucks too quickly. You will get much higher water flow through the skimmer.
That noted, over time dumping any chems in the skimmer can accelerate the aging of the plastic. In my case it was the original owner using the skimmer for tabs, which I did too before adding a chlorinator. And then there was the stabilizer, calcium chloride, baking soda, and other things all put there at one time or another to dissolve. Now years later, one skimmer is pristine. One (guess which?) has eroded out and only survives via a huge fiberglass/epoxy patch. Sooner rather than later will be the need to bust concrete and dig a hole to replace the whole thing....
So just don't add any chems to skimmers. Pre-dissolve those that can be done so safely, and always use the main pool as a way to add and dilute chem additions.
And doing so will moderate any possible effects on the rest of your equipment, also!
 
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John-John said:
I’m new to all this and thought there might be more water friction inside the chlorinator than the skimmer and it would dissolve better and it’s after the filter so none of it get caught by that.

Again all new to this and by asking abnormal questions like this I find a better way or learn why it’s not.
Click to expand...
CYA is an acid. You don’t want concentrated acidic water going through the heater. Using the skimmer or hanging it in front of a return lets it dissolve long before it gets to expensive equipment.
 
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John-John said:
...My pool came with an inline chlorinator .... It’s after my filter but before my heater.
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Yikes! I missed this part! Chlorinators must be AFTER the heater. They are the last thing before going to the pool. You NEVER want the chems attacking your very expensive heater core. Your builder messed up. At least make him replumb. But maybe better would be to just have him remove it.

However, you are in a bit of an inflexion point. Use of tabs, as you may know, forces one to slowly increase the CYA level, until it gets to the point where draining the pool is the only solution. Using liquid does not do that, but the lugging of jugs, very frequent testing, and adding, will be a chore.

So you may want to start anticipating adding a salt water chlorine generator now. It will be an expense you probably don't want right now...but is the ultimate solution to having a trouble free pool.
 
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