Cya test water is yellow

[Quiltincin]

Just opening our pool for the season. After cleaning the pool (dirt and algae) over the last several days and adding chlorine (testing 2/day), the water is looking clear, however the CYA is too low to show up on tests. I’ve been adding Cyanuric acid 16oz at a time (sock method) and after adding it 3 times, I have noticed the testing water is yellow. I’ve ordered new R-0013 test drops, thinking the chemical might have gone bad. Until that arrives on Saturday is there something else that I can check? I haven’t done the full testing because the Ph and CYA was off, but I know not to address the ph until the CYA balanced…. So just hold off on all testing and Chlorine and Cyanuric acid addition until the new solutions arrive?

Historically the only issues we typically have needed to address are algae, chlorine and low CYA. The PH etc are typically always ok.

My gut say
1. Get cya balanced after new solutions arrive
2. Do full testing and correct as needed.

 

[mknauss]

Test your pH. As long as the FC is at or below 10 ppm, it is accurate. Do TA also.

Your pool volume in your signature is not realistic. I come up with just short of 4000 gallon. Check that.
You have added way too much stabilizer. What you have added has put 90 ppm CYA in your pool water.

 

[JamesW]

I have noticed the testing water is yellow.

The reagent is yellow?

Show what you are talking about.

 

[Quiltincin]

Yes, the regent is yellow when added to the pool water. Just got the new regent as I thought the old had gone bad. However, the new regent combined with the pool water in a new testing container is also yellow though noticeably less yellow than before AND still shows zero CYA or rather lower than I can measure in the container. Which doesn't make sense after how much Cyanuric acid (also new purchase) I have added. Pic attached.

 

[JamesW]

Maybe some type of contamination is causing the reagent to react with the contaminant to form a yellow compound?

However, I have never seen a case where this has happened and I do not know what would react to create a yellow compound.

 

[JamesW]

Maybe contact Taylor Technologies to see what they can tell you.

Maybe contact the manufacturer of the cyanuric acid to see what they can tell you.

 

[JamesW]

The CYA reagent has a white cap.

 

[JamesW]

 

[proavia]

Verify you are using the R-0013 reagent for the CYA test.
What is the reagent number of the bottle with the yellow cap next to your CYA test mixing bottle?

 

[JamesW]

The bottle you have is probably R-0003.

Iodide has the warning in the SDS.

"Causes damage to thyroid through prolonged or repeated exposure, oral route."

 

[PoolStored]

Didn't we clean our scrapes in the '60s with Iodide, or is that Iodine. Oh, yeah, iodine is corrosive...avoid on the skin!

 

[JamesW]

Iodine antiseptic solutions, like povidone-iodine solutions (Betadine), are used to prevent infection in minor cuts, scrapes, and burns. They work by killing germs and reducing the risk of infection in these areas.

 

[JamesW]

 

[Quiltincin]

View attachment 639690

Yes this is the one I’m using from the Taylor kit for testing. Did my regents get mixed up and I’m using the wrong one? When reordering last week I also ordered the R-0013 by mistake. Now I’m confused which is correct to use? Thought the R-0003 was the one that came in my kit to use…

 

[Quiltincin]

Yes this is the one I’m using from the Taylor kit for testing. Did my regents get mixed up and I’m using the wrong one? When reordering last week I also ordered the R-0013 by mistake. Now I’m confused which is correct to use? Thought the R-0003 was the one that came in my kit to use…

NEVERMIND I found the CYA testing instructions on this site-well using the wrong chemical explains a LOT! Good thing I remembered it was not suppose to be yellow! Luckily I accidentally ordered the “correct” R-0013 regent and can test cya this morning. I’ve been dying to jump in the pool but have been waiting til it’s balanced! Thanks for your help!

 

[mknauss]

Thanks for your help!

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[Quiltincin]

Just tested and yup-CYA is WAY to high way over 100, not even showing on test scale. Time to drain the pool down and refill. If it’s not showing on the scale how do you estimate how much to drain? Estimating I’m going to say more than 50%? But not 100%? Any suggestions. If I drain 60% and it’s not enough, just keep doing partial drains after water circulates and mixes with new water? Or just go for it and really drain it?

 

[ajw22]

Partial drains waste a lot of water.

Draining - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[mknauss]

Read Water Testing Instructions - Further Reading

 

[Quiltincin]

I didn’t see the reply before we drained. I did read later-very good articles-both suggestions.

We decided to do an educated guess just to get a reading to just get the CYA level within the testing range of the tester. . We drained 1/3 of pool water and then added new water. Just tested and it’s at 70, so that was a really good estimate. Will wait a day and drain down 5 “ and refill. I’m hopeful that should be enough to get us in the correct range.

I have til next Wed according to the weather to get this up and running then we can turn the solar on and start swimming, so we are in a good position.

If I can get the CYA balanced tomorrow, then I can do full testing to make sure everything is good! So far with guessing the CYA the Chlorine has been good. Just tested the the actual CYA of 70 and it’s spot on. I’ve been using my gut estimating and the knowledge I’ve gained here over the years with all the helpful people.

Will update with all test numbers once CYA is balanced and in range.

Thanks all!