Only added CYA stabilizer twice since filling my pool..normal??

[thefloatqueen]

My pool didn’t go up until the last week of July so I guess it’s not an “entire summer”. CYA was low upon filling the pool initially and I had to add stabilizer (sock/pantyhose trick!!) twice! Last time I added stabilizer was August 3rd. I test CYA weekly and it is always 40. Chlorine level never dips below 5.0 and the highest my CC has ever been is 0.5. Does this sound normal? I have a big jug of stabilizer just chillin in the cabinet lol. Sorry if this is a dumb question. I am not complaining but it just doesn’t seem normal lol. I use the TF-100 test kit. Thank you in advance!!

 

[thefloatqueen]

My bad, August 5th was the last time I added it. CYA has been sitting pretty between 50 and 40 (it’s ALWAYS right in the middle) so I just go with 40 usually on my PoolMath app!!

 

[ajw22]

My bad, August 5th was the last time I added it. CYA has been sitting pretty between 50 and 40 (it’s ALWAYS right in the middle) so I just go with 40 usually on my PoolMath app!!

You should round CYA tests up. Your CYA IS 50. Set your FC target accordingly.

 

[thefloatqueen]

You should round CYA tests up. Your CYA IS 50. Set your FC target accordingly.

Will do. Both are acceptable levels for a non-SWG pool so I’ll start plugging in 50. Thank you for the tip! I didn’t know that.

 

[thefloatqueen]

What should be my CYA target since both 40 and 50 are acceptable?

 

[mknauss]

If your CYA tests in the range of 30-50, set your target for what you tested. So in your case, you are testing a CYA of 50. Set your target to 50. No action needed.

 

[ajw22]

What should be my CYA target since both 40 and 50 are acceptable?

See FC/CYA Levels

 

[thefloatqueen]

If your CYA tests in the range of 30-50, set your target for what you tested. So in your case, you are testing a CYA of 50. Set your target to 50. No action needed.

Okay. I guess I shouldn’t be concerned since the stabilizer is literally keeping the water VERY stable. I used HTH stabilizer and have been using liquid bleach for a few weeks now. In the beginning I used Dichlor which I know has CYA in it. Maybe that’s why? I have not used it in a few weeks, though. All 6% liquid bleach and I only have to add a cup of bleach here n there if it’s a very sunny/hot day (it still never drops below 5 ppm but on those super hot sunny days I sometimes bump it up to 6 and it only takes about 1.5 cup to do so).

 

[mknauss]

Any dichlor you added put CYA into the water.

 

[thefloatqueen]

I used Dichlor for a couple weeks after opening my pool (CYA was extremely low at that time and I gradually brought it up with Dichlor and stabilizer 2x via the sock method). For the past 3 weeks or so, it’s been straight liquid bleach only. I figured by now the CYA would be creeping back down a little.

 

[thefloatqueen]

Any dichlor you added put CYA into the water.

Any dichlor you added put CYA into the water.

Yep I remember that. I didn’t use it for long though and it was never very much at all. I remember only using tablespoons when dosing it. I’ll have to go look at the CYA chart. I don’t really understand the point of those pucks either (never used). Don’t those raise CYA even more?

 

[mknauss]

Dichlor has more CYA per unit weight than trichlor (pucks).

The only way to make chlorine available in a solid product is to combine it with something. CYA is one of those somethings. Calcium is the other.

 

[thefloatqueen]

Question.... what brings CYA down? I’m not trying to bring mine down since it’s within acceptable range but I’m just curious if it decreases over time with sun/rain/etc.? I still have so much stabilizer left and haven’t used dichlor in over a month so no stabilizer has been added at all recently.

 

[mknauss]

CYA very slowly degrades, primarily in warmer water. Overflow, splash out, backwashes, etc also remove CYA.

 

[ajw22]

Question.... what brings CYA down?

How_is_CYA_Lost_and_Degrade_in_Pool_Water

 

[thefloatqueen]

How_is_CYA_Lost_and_Degrade_in_Pool_Water

Thank you!