Cyanuric Acid Pool Calculator? Quick Answer

Chlorine stabilizer is a chemical added to your pool during the summer season to help your chlorine work longer and more effectively. By using less chlorine you should save money on chemicals. Many pool owners use chlorine stabilizers in extremely hot environments where more chlorine is typically required to maintain clean water.

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chlorine stabilizer

The chlorine stabilizer helps your pool’s chlorine work longer. Stabilizers are most effective in extremely hot climates where the sun oxidizes most of the chlorine in the pool, rendering it unusable. As a result, more chlorine is needed in warmer weather.

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how it is measured

Chlorine stabilizer is measured as cyanuric acid. Most test strips sold today have readings for chlorine, pH, alkalinity, and chlorine stabilizer or cyanuric acid. An effective amount of chlorine stabilizer should show a reading of 40 parts per million (ppm) or just below on the test strips.

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When to add chlorine stabilizer

The product is usually added to the pool when it first opens for the summer season. Under normal conditions, open your pool and run the filter with its normal amount of chemicals. If any other chemicals such as chlorine. pH and alkalinity are balanced, add chlorine stabilizer. Only add the stabilizer after the filter has been backwashed to ensure it goes through a clean filter. Slowly add the stabilizer through the skimmer according to the product’s instructions. Most products require 1 pound of stabilizer for every 3,000 gallons of water. Check the specific product label before adding stabilizer.

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How often is chlorine stabilizer added

Use your test strips to monitor levels of chlorine stabilizer. If the number falls below 40ppm, add stabilizer. If you regularly maintain your pool’s chemicals, this level will rarely drop unless it’s extremely warm outside.

Pool Shock is a great tool for balancing your pool chemistry and is the best way to eliminate algae and restore your water to pristine condition. When done regularly during the summer and high bathing months, this is also a helpful and proactive way to minimize exposure to chemicals for you, your family and, if you are a commercial facility, your employees and guests.

What is pool shock?

The term “shock” is a term used in the pool industry to describe the intentional over-chlorination (or over-oxidation) of pool water chemistry for a calculated period of time. Chlorine in normal residual amounts is consumed by organic matter (oils, lotions, urine and algae) in the water. Shocking (continuous addition of chlorine above normal levels) a pool allows the elevated chlorine levels to reach a threshold where the chlorine needs of the organic materials are met. As soon as the chlorine has reached this value, combined chlorine is reduced and annoying algae are eliminated.

Not all pool shocks are created equal

There are two main types of chlorine pool shocks used in both residential and commercial pool environments. Note that some contain cyanuric acid and some do not. A non-chlorine shock is also available.

1. Calcium Hypochlorite: Also known as “Cal Hypo”, this shock is the most powerful and fastest-acting shock available. Cal Hypo is both an oxidizer and sanitizer, dissolves quickly and is most commonly used in the pool industry. It will raise your pH slightly, so make sure to adjust the pH while using it.

As the name suggests, it will also slightly increase your calcium hardness in your pool. It is sold as granules or in pucks/tablets. A close relative of calcium hypochlorite is sodium hypochlorite, commonly known as a bleach.

2. Dichloroisocyanuric Acid: Also known as “dichloro,” this is another type of chlorine shock. Dichlor contains both chlorine and cyanuric acid and will increase your cyanuric acid levels over time. For more information on cyanuric acid, see our blog post Cyanuric Acid: Friend or Foe. Like Cal Hypo, it’s both a sanitizer and an oxidizer, can be purchased in granular or puck form, and slightly lowers the pool’s pH.

3. Sodium Monopersulfate: Also known in the pool industry as MPS shock, this shock is an alternative to chlorine shock. MPS is an oxidizer but not a disinfectant. It removes organic matter from the water and eliminates waste in the water without the unpleasant side effects of chlorine.

How to shock your pool

There are many reasons to shock your pool. Per NSPI/APSP standards, the ideal frequency for a short superdose of shock is every week, depending on usage and water temperature. Shocking your pool properly will help reduce the need for more frequent shocks and provide a more complete clean of your pool water chemistry.

Without getting into the heavy science, it takes a certain level of chlorine to reach a breakpoint where chloramines are released from the water. If this breakpoint is not reached, these smelly chloramines will remain in your pool, resulting in an incomplete shock.

Consider whether there is cyanuric acid in the water when calculating how much shock you need. With elevated cyanuric acid levels, you will need to use more shock to reach the critical breakpoint.

A reasonable estimate for good shock results is to get the free chlorine up to 40 percent of the cyanuric acid level in your pool. For example, if you have 50 ppm cyanuric acid in your water, shock it to a free chlorine concentration of 20 ppm.

It is also crucial that the pH is maintained during the shocking process. Chlorine’s ability to work effectively is directly proportional to pH. If the pH is out of range, Pool Shock will significantly reduce its effectiveness.

Shock your pool when you use the Clear Comfort system

When shocking your pool with a Clear Comfort system, it’s important to understand when to use shock and how much to get the best results. It’s also important to know when your pool is chlorine-free and safe for swimming. Shock the pool only when necessary – this will be during the hot summer months or periods of high usage. During the winter months or times of low bathing load, the Clear Comfort system will keep your pool clear and clean without shock.

Only shock at dusk or night and release the cover. Make sure your pH is in the appropriate range of 7.2-7.4. It is important to run the pump and filter the water for an hour after the pool has been shocked and vacuum up the debris that falls to the pool floor after the shock the next morning.

For residential pools, measure the cyanuric acid level before shocking your pool, as cyanuric acid traps the chlorine released by the shock. Add chlorine shock in the form of calcium hypochlorite or bleach and let the chlorine dissipate overnight while nobody swims. By morning the chlorine will be gone, leaving you free to swim in a chlorine-free pool.

This can only be achieved with little or no cyanuric acid in the water. A high content of cyanuric acid prevents the chlorine content from being quickly reduced to zero again. If pool water contains high levels of cyanuric acid (greater than 20 ppm), use sodium monopersulfate as the shock of choice.

For commercial pools where chlorine is required by law, ensure the cyanuric acid is no more than 50ppm and shock if necessary. Sodium monopersulfate can also be used as a shock.

[accordion autoclose=false clicktoclose=true] [accordion-item title=”References+”]

Falk, Richard A. “The relationship between chlorine and cyanuric acid and its effects on nitrogen trichloride.” (2009). Network. January 26, 2016.

Kott, Y., E.M. Nupen, and W.R. Ross. “The Effect of pH on the Efficiency of Chlorine Disinfection and Viral Counting.” Water Research 9.10 (1975): 869–872.

O’Brien, J.E., J.C. Morris, and J.N. Butler. “Equilibria in Aqueous Solutions of Chlorinated Isocyanurate.” Symposium on the Chemistry of Water Supply, Treatment, and Distribution. 1974

Wojtowicz, John A. “Effect of Cyanuric Acid on Swimming Pool Maintenance.” Journal of the Swimming Pool and Spa Industry 5.1 (2004): 15-19.

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Cyanuric acid or CYA is also known as a pool conditioner or pool stabilizer. And it’s critical to protecting your chlorine from being destroyed by the sun’s UV rays. So if your CYA levels are too low, your chlorine won’t last as long – and that leads to unsanitary pool water.

How do you know if your CYA is too low? Your pool’s cyanuric acid level should be between 30 and 50 parts per million (PPM), and slightly higher for saltwater pools. However, indoor pool owners need not worry about CYA levels since the chlorine is not directly affected by the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Cyanuric acid is actually only an issue for outdoor pool owners.

To increase your cyanuric acid levels, you need to add a pool stabilizer or pool conditioner to your water. You can also start using stabilized chlorine like sodium dichlor or trichlor to sanitize your pool.

If you are wondering why these levels are low in your pool and how to increase them, here is everything you need to know about what causes low cyanuric acid levels and how to increase cyanuric acid in your pool.

What Causes Low Cyanuric Acid?

It is likely that your CYA is low because you are not using stabilized chlorine in your pool. Stabilized chlorine, such as sodium dichlor or trichlor tablets and granules, already contain cyanuric acid. This helps protect it from the destruction caused by the sun’s UV rays. If you use unstabilized chlorine, unstabilized chlorine such as sodium hypochlorite (liquid chlorine), lithium hypochlorite, and calcium hypochlorite do not contain cyanuric acid.

Other things like rain, splashing water, and water dilution can also cause your cyanuric levels to drop. So if you’ve recently partially drained and refilled your water, you will also have low CYA levels.

By the way, if you find pool maintenance confusing and need more step-by-step help, watch our pool maintenance video course.

Frustrated with adding chemicals and trying to keep your pool clean all the time? We’ve taken all the confusion out of pool maintenance in this easy-to-read, illustrated e-book and video course. It will help you save $100 on pool maintenance instantly! Click here to learn more

What happens when cyanuric acid levels are too low?

If the cyanuric acid level in a pool is too low, it can cause all sorts of chlorine problems and unsanitary water problems.

Chlorine consumption increases

Sunlight naturally breaks down pool chlorine – and fast. An entire pool’s worth could be gone in a matter of hours, and without CYA to protect it, you could add more chlorine daily to keep it clean.

Chlorine will not disinfect as effectively

Since sunlight is essentially eating away at your chlorine, there simply isn’t enough available to keep the water clean. Pollutants, bacteria and viruses can easily take over the water.

Pool water can turn green due to algae growth

If your water isn’t clean, it can become the perfect breeding ground for algae growth. And green isn’t the only color to worry about. Some bacteria can even lead to black algae or pink slime — and no matter what color it is — it’s unsafe for swimmers. It’s every pool owner’s nightmare.

Imbalanced pool water chemistry

Your chlorine levels drop when there isn’t enough CYA in the water to protect it. Insufficient chlorine levels can not keep the water clean and start a chain reaction that affects the total alkalinity and pH balance.

Chlorine odor and chloramine build up

With low CYA, the free chlorine is consumed more quickly. When the chlorine in the pool binds to pollutants such as urine, sweat and sunscreen, combined chlorine or chloramines are formed. This type of chlorine is less effective as a disinfectant and contributes to that strong chlorine smell that you’ve no doubt experienced in public pools.

How To Increase Cyanuric Acid Levels In A Pool (2 Ways)

There are two things you can do to increase your CYA levels: add stabilized chlorine or add a pool stabilizer and conditioner (pure cyanuric acid).

Before adding anything to your pool, test your water with a liquid test kit or test strips. Then balance your pH and total alkalinity first. This will help any chemicals you add later to work more effectively.

Note: Lowering cyanuric acid levels is much more difficult than raising it, so don’t overdo it. You can always add more stabilized chlorine or CYA later if needed.

1. Add stabilized chlorine

If you buy a form of stabilized chlorine such as dichlorine or trichlorine granules or tablets, your chlorine will come with cyanuric acid. So if you’ve used unstabilized chlorine or liquid bleach, this can be a way of introducing CYA into your water. You can buy stabilized chlorine in tablet, granular or liquid chlorine form.

If you have chronically low cyanuric acid levels, look for chlorine products in tablet or granular form containing cyanuric acid and consider keeping them on hand as part of your regular pool chemical supply.

Our Top Pick 3″ Stabilized Chlorine Tablets Stock up on chlorine tablets for the season and save money by purchasing the standard 3″ stabilized chlorine pucks. Buy Now on Amazon If you click this link and make a purchase, we will earn a commission at no additional cost to you.

2. Add Pure Cyanuric Acid (Pool Conditioner or Stabilizer)

If you want to control the amount of cyanuric acid in your water, you can directly add pure CYA, also known as a chlorine stabilizer or chlorine conditioner.

As a general guide, 3 ounces of pool stabilizer will increase the CYA level of a 10,000 gallon pool by 10 ppm. Remember that your CYA levels should be between 30 and 50 ppm. Keep in mind that you usually only need to add it once or twice a year as CYA lingers at work. And it’s easier to add more cyanuric acid than to reduce it, so take things slow.

After all, cyanuric acid is just that: an acid. So if you don’t add the pool stabilizer properly, it can damage your pool. Vinyl pool liners are incredibly vulnerable to CYA damage. And be sure to wear protective gear like goggles and acid-resistant gloves.

How to add pool stabilizer and conditioner

Before adding any chemicals, start by testing and balancing your pool water so you know how much you need to increase your CYA levels.

Start with a 5 gallon bucket of pool water. Add the pool stabilizer or pool conditioner to the bucket of water. Don’t add water to the CYA – you don’t want splashing! Then pour all five gallons of water-CYA solution into the pool’s skimmer and run your pool pump for several hours to help circulation. Finally, retest your pool’s chemical levels and adjust if necessary. Repeat the process if you still have lower than expected cyanuric acid levels.

Be sure to add your pool stabilizer slowly. You can always add more later. But if you end up with too much cyanuric acid, you don’t need to drain it completely to balance your pool chemistry. Slowly drain a few inches of water and refill the pool with fresh water. Keep the water above the pool pump to prevent it from being sucked in and damaged. If you need more help lowering your CYA levels, be sure to check out our guide on lowering cyanuric acid.

Cyanuric Acid Elevation Frequently Asked Questions

Need more help with cyanuric acid? Here are some frequently asked questions and answers.

What do I add to my pool if the cyanuric acid is too low?

If, over the course of regular pool maintenance, you find that your cyanuric acid levels are too low, you can add either stabilized chlorine or pure cyanuric acid, also known as pool conditioner or pool stabilizer. Stabilized chlorine already contains cyanuric acid.

Does baking soda increase cyanuric acid?

No baking soda will not increase your CYA levels. However, it will increase the overall alkalinity of your pool. It does not protect or stabilize your chlorine levels.

Does pool shock increase cyanuric acid?

Pool shock can increase your cyanuric acid levels, depending on the type you use. If you are using a stabilized chlorine shock then yes it will increase CYA because it is the stabilizing ingredient.

Does Clorox Pool Shock contain cyanuric acid?

Cholrox does not contain CYA and will not increase CYA levels in your water when you use it. Household bleach is unstabilized chlorine and is destroyed by the sun’s UV rays.

Will too little cyanuric acid make a pool cloudy?

If you have an outdoor pool and are low in cyanuric acid, you may have cloudy water. This is because CYA helps keep your chlorine levels where they should be. And without it, the chlorine is used up faster, resulting in unclean cloudy water.

Does a saltwater pool need cyanuric acid?

Saltwater pools require CYA, and manufacturers recommend keeping it on the slightly higher side: between 60 and 80 PPM. In saltwater pools, do not add chlorine directly. Instead, you add salt and the salt generator creates sodium hypochlorite, which also decomposes under sunlight. Salt chlorine generator manufacturers recommend operating at higher levels of free chlorine because the generators are continuously producing chlorine and it is therefore critical to protect the chlorine present.

Need more help with pool maintenance?

Matt Giovanisci is the founder of Swim University® and has been in the pool and spa industry since 1995. Since then, his mission has been to make pool and hot tub maintenance easy for everyone. And every year he helps more people with water chemistry, cleaning and troubleshooting.

Rob is a professional in the pool service industry with over 20 years of experience.

chlorine molecule

The pool is green but the chlorine level is high

When the stabilizer level in a pool is too high, the chlorine molecules become trapped, rendering them ineffective as a sanitizer. This is usually done through the use of chlorine tablets that contain cyanuric acid. Pools that sanitize the water with salt systems or methods other than tablets usually don’t have this problem.

Even though you get a chlorine reading — sometimes a high chlorine reading — your pool may still have algae or other issues. This is because the chlorine molecules are trapped by the high cyanuric acid content.

Dilution is the solution

The important things first. You cannot add chemicals to lower stabilizer levels. Cyanuric acid (a stabilizer) can be added, but to lower it the tank must be diluted with fresh water. There is no chemical on the market that you can add to your pool water to reduce stabilizer.

If you just need help cleaning a green pool, learn how to properly shock your pool.

What is the ideal amount of chlorine stabilizer in the pool?

You should aim for a stabilizer level between 30 and 50 ppm. Test the stabilizer or have your water tested and see how high the stabilizer level is. Some pool stores list it as either a stabilizer or a cyanuric acid level.

I service a few commercial pools and county health inspectors like it below 100ppm which makes sense as the chlorine is usually very controllable and effective below that level. However, for most homeowners, you should shoot to 30-50ppm.

How to dilute your pool water to lower stabilizer levels

Unfortunately, depending on your stabilizer level and of course the size of your pool, you will need to drain a significant amount of water from the pool. Some customers I have don’t like this because of the cost of replacing the water. However, if you don’t do this, you will keep having problems. If you have a cartridge filter, you may want to learn how to clean a cartridge filter. Many problems can be caused by a bad filter.

drain the water

Most pool pumps have more than one valve that comes on the inlet side of the pump. (skimmer/main drain) sometimes a third cleaning line. In any case, you must close the skimmer line and open the drain valve on the return side. (If you don’t have a drain valve, install one! You’ll still need it.)

Another way to drain water from the pool would be to use a submersible pump, which can use a garden hose as the drain line.

Drain about two feet of water from the pool. Yes, 18-24 inches below the bottom of the tile line.) Because of this, the skimmer line needs to be closed. Reset the valves and refill water from the hose. This can take several hours depending on the size of the pool and the water pressure of your hose. Have the pool filtered on the normal cycle and have the stabilizer retested. The stabilizer should decrease significantly.

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This article is accurate and truthful to the best of the author’s knowledge. The content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for personal or professional advice on any business, financial, legal or technical matter.

Answer questions

Question: Is there another way to lower the stabilizer in a swimming pool?

Answer: no. The water must be diluted with fresh water. I know that a product came out recently that claims to lower the stabilizer bar, but I can say with confidence after trying it that it doesn’t work and it’s expensive. The calcium hardness is the same way. If it is too high, the water must be diluted.

Question: Why is my chlorine test high? It’s orange instead of yellow, but I haven’t added chlorine in a week.

Answer: The test reagents are most likely bad. They have a shelf life and can give false readings if they haven’t been replaced in a while.

Question: How to increase the stabilizer level in the pool?

Answer: Add stabilizer (cyanuric acid).

Question: Why does pool water stain clothing and skin green/blue?

Answer: This is a water chemistry issue. I recommend having a full chemical parametric test done professionally, including a metals (iron and copper) test.

Question: Do you add the stabilizer chemical to the pool or to the water return?

Answer: You insert the stabilizer directly into the skimmer. Stabilizer doesn’t dissolve quickly, so adding it directly to the pool isn’t a good idea; however, it will gradually dissipate as it is added through the skimmer.

Rob Hampton (Author) of Port Richey, Florida on April 10, 2020:

Stephen… whoops! That’s quite a jump in CYA after draining and adding fresh water. I suggest getting your spring water tested, which normally shouldn’t have a stabilizer in it. That would be the only explanation for it. CYA should NOT increase after adding fresh water. I’ve used this product with not-so-impressive results, but it’s out there… https://www.amazon.com/Bio-Active-Products-Stabili…

Stephen Mott on April 10, 2020:

I have a vinyl liner in the bottom pool and my CYA was at 190 so I drained 2ft of water and filled with fresh and it went to 250. I have not added any chemicals during this time what is going on and how am I getting my CYA down/

Rob Hampton (Author) of Port Richey, Florida on May 06, 2019:

Hello Bill. Dilution lowers Cya level. Rain, a leak in the pool, or just regular evaporation and addition of water to the pool.

Bill Muncey on May 06, 2019:

What would even cause the cyanauric acid to go under? I couldn’t keep the chlorine levels high in my pool until I discovered the stabilizer was low. I’ve had the pool for over 20 years, the first time this has happened.

Rob Hampton (author) of Port Richey, Florida on October 18, 2018:

Hello Anna, thanks for reading. You are doing everything right to lower the stabilizer level. Check the level again. If under 100, it should be ok. That said, without being there to test all the other chemicals, I can make a few suggestions. The first and most important is filtration. Make sure that the system has a good flow. Clean the filter frequently. Allow the pump to run for an extended period of time until the pool is empty (10-12 hours/day). For now, keep the pH slightly on the low end (7.2 – 7.4), chlorine around 5.0 and alkalinity 80 – 100. Have the water tested for phosphates and treat if necessary. While the chemicals aren’t perfectly matched, I can’t stress good filtration enough. If the pool is above ground without a main drain, direct the return DOWN so the water splashes to the bottom of the pool. I hope it helps.

Anna Mifsud on October 18, 2018:

I swept the pool into the trash to reduce stabilizer and fill the pool with more water. I’ve repeated this several times but the pool is still green.

Baking soda to increase pH and alkalinity in pools

Most people know that chlorine is an important chemical in keeping pool water safe for swimming. But adding too much chlorine can lower your pool’s pH as well as its total alkalinity. As alkalinity drops, it becomes more difficult to maintain a stable pH. Also, lower pH and alkalinity of your pool water leads to several negative effects, from itchy skin and burning eyes for swimmers to corrosion of your pool ladders, liner or other components.

If your water’s alkalinity is too low, any chemicals you add will affect the pH exponentially, creating a condition known as a pH jump. You’ll also need to add more chlorine to get the same sanitizing effect, and your swimmers will complain. Overall, pool water with insufficient alkalinity can be frustrating and costly.

Fortunately, there is an easy and inexpensive way to maintain your pool’s alkalinity and pH. You can use it in your cookie recipes or refresh your fridge. This handy pool tool is nothing more than Arm & Hammer baking soda, although you’ll need pounds of it rather than a pinch.

What does baking soda do for a pool?

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is alkaline in nature and has a pH of 8. When you add baking soda to your pool water, you increase both the pH and alkalinity, improving stability and clarity. Many commercial alkalinity pool products use baking soda as the main active ingredient. You can maintain your pool at a fraction of the cost by going straight to the source and using pure baking soda in your pool.

Using baking soda to increase alkalinity

Follow these steps to test and increase your pool’s alkalinity and pH with baking soda.

Test the alkalinity of your pool daily. Ideally, your pH is between 7.2 and 7.8 and alkalinity is between 110 and 150 ppm (parts per million). If your alkalinity level is lower, and especially if it is less than 80ppm, you need to increase the alkalinity of the pool water.

Buy baking soda in bulk (available in bags up to 15 pounds). They will add anywhere from 1.5 pounds. up to 8-10 lbs. baking soda into your pool, depending on how low your alkalinity is.

Determine the amount to add. You need to figure out how much baking soda to add to your pool. Pool chemical measurements are based on 10,000 gallons of water. If your pool is bigger or smaller, you’ll need to adjust your math. The rule of thumb is 1.5 kg. Baking soda for every 10,000 gallons of water increases alkalinity by about 10 ppm. If your pool’s pH has been tested below 7.2, add 3-4 pounds of baking soda. If you are new to adding pool chemicals, start by adding only half or three quarters of the recommended amount. After retesting, you can always add more if the level is still low. Otherwise you could swing too far in the delicate pH balance and need to add an acid.

Add baking soda to the pool. Sodium Bicarbonate is packaged in powder form and can be sprinkled directly into your pool water. Spread in wide arcs over the surface of the pool to avoid dumping everything in one spot. Be sure to add baking soda on a windy day as the powder can become airborne.

Wait at least six hours. Let the baking soda dissolve in the water. Turn on your pool’s circulation system to allow it to circulate.

Repeat the test and repeat if necessary. Between 6 and 24 hours after adding the baking soda, retest your pool’s pH and total alkalinity. If the pH is below 7.2 and the alkalinity is below 110 ppm, repeat these steps.

Fixed common pool issues with baking soda

baking soda and green, blue, or yellow seaweed

If you have algae in your pool, you will notice dull green water, slimy pool walls and floor, and a slippery pool surface. You have to use an algaecide to kill the algae and superchlorinate your pool to clean the water. After this treatment, test your pH and alkalinity and add baking soda to raise the alkalinity to at least 100ppm and the pH to 7.2-7.8.

baking soda and pool corrosion

If you notice corrosion on your pipes or ladders, or holes in your pool liner or tiles, you have very low water alkalinity. Test and add Arm & Hammer Baking Soda according to directions. Usually you need at least 8 pounds. if your levels are low enough to cause corrosion.

Limescale deposits on pool surfaces

Too much calcium and pH as well as high levels of alkalinity are culprits for pool scale build-up. So also hard water. Stop using calcium-based sanitizers and keep your pool’s alkalinity between 80 and 110 ppm. Test your levels and carefully add a pool acid such as hydrochloric acid to bring the pH below 7.8. If you go too far, add baking soda sparingly to reach the appropriate levels.

Cloudy pool water

If your pool water is cloudy or cloudy, it can have a number of causes. Check your pool’s filtration system; there often lies the problem. Also test the hardness of your water. If your water is naturally hard or mineral-rich, you should avoid using products that contain added calcium and keep your alkalinity below 110 ppm (but above 80 ppm). To cure cloudy pool water, superchlorination is usually the simplest solution. Be sure to test your pH after the hyperchlorination treatment and, if necessary, slowly add baking soda to your pool water to reach between 7.2 and 7.8. Higher pH values ​​can lead to turbidity.

For a more complete guide to pool care and how to fix common problems, check out our comprehensive Arm & Hammer Pool Care Guide.

How to clean a cloudy pool with baking soda

For an easy way to keep your pool crystal clear, we’ve created Arm & Hammer Clear Balance™ Pool Care Tablets. Our scientists did the math for you and 1 to 4 tablets per week depending on the size of your pool will keep your water clear all summer long. Follow package directions and dispense through your skimmer or floater. The tablets dissolve in about 15 minutes and help keep your pool’s pH and alkalinity at the right levels. It’s super easy to use and Clear Balance™ can help prevent pH rebound and other pool issues all season long.

Pool Baking Soda: An easy way to increase pH and alkalinity

Don’t waste money on commercial alkaline-raising pool products when you can use baking soda instead to increase your pool’s pH and alkalinity. Follow the procedure above and the guidelines in our pool maintenance guide to troubleshoot common pool issues. And use Arm & Hammer Clear Balance™ Pool Maintenance Tablets to effortlessly maintain a clear, clean, and safe pool.

resources

https://www.swimuniversity.com/household-products-clean-pool/

https://www.hunker.com/13415244/how-to-lower-the-ph-in-a-swimming-pool-with-baking-soda

https://www.armandhammer.com/-/media/aah/feature/articles/baking-soda/baking-soda-articles/pool-owners-guide.pdf

https://www.armandhammer.com/articles/diy-pool-maintenance-tips

https://www.armandhammer.com/baking-soda/pool-maintenance/pool-maintenance/clear-balance-pool-maintenance-tablets

http://poolforthought.com/raising-pool-alkalinity/

Cyanuric Acid (CYA) is a pool balancing product used to make chlorine last longer. Chlorine is not stabilized in its natural form – meaning it will degrade when exposed to sunlight. The addition of cyanuric acid reduces the influence of the sun on chlorine loss. The longer chlorine is present in pool water, the longer it is available to kill bacteria and sanitize the water.

In the pool industry, cyanuric acid is known as a chlorine stabilizer or pool conditioner. Many solid chlorination products such as granules or tablets are designed to contain CYA. These multifunctional products reduce the number of steps pool owners have to take to maintain their pool.

Alternatively, liquid chlorination products typically do not contain the beneficial CYA often found in tablets or granules. Pool owners who choose to use chlorination liquid as a sanitizing product may need to add a stabilizer separately to make their chlorine last longer.

Regardless of the type of sanitizer, pool owners should test their pool water at least once a week. Always keep free chlorine between 1-4ppm and stabilizer at least 30-50ppm. Using pool water test strips is an easy and accurate way to test your pool water. Download the free Clorox® Pool App for expert water analysis results and personalized dosing recommendations.

If you need additional help, contact us for advice on maintaining a balanced pool.

Chlorine tablets are terrible for your pool and (California) when they are the only source of chlorine

Chlorine tablets (Trichlor-s-triazinetrione, aka Trichlor) are an effective way to sanitize your pool water when used as a secondary source of chlorine, but are terrible for your pool (and the California drought) when used as the sole source of chlorine .

A chlorine tab has two side effects that most pool owners don’t realize:

It has a pH of 2.9 but more importantly it lowers Total Alkalinity (TA). It is made up of 52% by weight cyanuric acid (aka conditioner or stabilizer) and each one increases the cyanuric acid (CYA) level in your pool water.

So, chlorine tablets lower pH and total alkalinity and increase cyanuric acid levels. When used in moderation they work beautifully, but if it is the only source of chlorine your pool water will eventually become acidic (low pH and TA) and the CYA level will become so high that it becomes uncontrollable and the only way Correcting high cyanuric levels in the pool will be to dilute, or drain and refill with fresh water. Draining pools in general is a bad idea for a number of reasons, but was particularly wasteful (and avoidable!) during the great California drought (December 2011 through March 2017).

***

The ideal pH range for a Gunite pool is between 7.4 and 7.6. The ideal range for TA in a Gunite pool is 80-120 ppm. While the pH naturally increases in gunite pools, using tablets will lower the pH. This is an added benefit of Trichlor tabs when used in moderation. Excessive tab use lowers the pH below 7.2 and the water becomes acidic, affecting plaster surfaces, pool equipment, and bathers’ skin and eyes. Most importantly, tabs dramatically affect TA by lowering levels as low as 30ppm. When the TA gets that low the gypsum weakens and the overtime softens and eventually erodes (Have you ever found white sand in your Polaris bag? It’s the aggregate coming out of the gypsum. This is a telltale sign that that the alkalinity was low for years).

The ideal range for CYA in an outdoor pool is 30-50ppm (indoor pools don’t need CYA = no sunlight). Concentrations above 100 ppm will affect the disinfecting ability of chlorine. The higher the CYA value, the more chlorine is required for effective disinfection. This is one of the reasons you add insane amounts of chlorine to a pool but it remains cloudy or green – the CYA level is so high it prevents the chlorine from killing the bad stuff. When this happens, the CYA needs to be reduced, and the only effective way to do that is by draining and refilling with our precious and critical California water supply 🙁

In contrast, I/we use liquid chlorine (sodium hypochlorite, also called bleach) year-round. We only use tablets as a chlorine trigger in the summer, as they dissolve over the course of the week. UV rays from the sun break down chlorine and the timed release of the tabs helps keep a residual chlorine in the pool until we return the following week for our next service visit (we add sodium bicarbonate to bring the TA up to a reasonable level , after balancing it through the use of tabs). .

Here’s the rub: Tabs are easy to carry and store, they’re lightweight, and they have excellent durability. Bleach is a challenge to transport and spills ruin personal property. It is heavy and its potency decreases daily. For all its problems, liquid chlorine has fewer side effects (no built-in CYA, doesn’t lower TA) and makes the pool easier to balance, which in turn helps gear and cast last longer (the open end of water chemistry!) We rarely have to drain a pool and when an algicide is occasionally needed, it is not rendered ineffective by high CYA levels.

So are chlorine tablets bad for your pool? NO if they are used sparingly but if they are your only source of sanitizer in your pool you will eventually develop a problem$ it’s just a matter of time.

Cyanuric Acid (CYA), sometimes referred to as a pool conditioner or pool stabilizer, is critical to maintaining the chemical balance of your water. But while CYA helps protect your chlorine from the sun’s ultraviolet rays, too much cyanuric acid isn’t good for your water chemistry.

Ideally, your cyanuric acid level should be between 30 and 50 parts per million (PPM), and slightly higher if you have a saltwater pool. However, if your levels are much higher, it may be time to lower the cyanuric acid in your pool.

To lower your cyanuric acid levels, you need to dilute your water by partially draining and refilling your pool. While there are other options, such as cyanuric acid reducers, they are not as effective. But before you tackle a high CYA problem, you need to stop making it worse. Here’s everything you need to know about what causes high cyanuric acid levels and what you can do to lower them.

Watch the video tutorial below to learn how to lower your CYA levels, or read on for complete instructions.

What Causes High Cyanuric Acid?

The most common contributor to high CYA levels is stabilized chlorine. Stabilized chlorine comes with small amounts of CYA, which helps protect your sanitizer from being destroyed by the sun.

Most chlorine tablets or chlorine granules are made with stabilized dichlor and trichlor. So if you add a pound of trichlorochlorine to a 10,000 gallon pool, it can increase the CYA by 6 ppm. On the other hand, calcium hypochlorite (Cal-Hypo) chlorine, lithium hypochlorite chlorine and liquid bleach are not stabilized. These will not increase your CYA levels.

When you add stabilized chlorine to your water, cyanuric acid levels can build up over time even as chlorine levels fluctuate up and down. This is because when water evaporates from the pool, cyanuric acid remains in the water. So while you’re trying to lower your cyanuric acid levels, stop adding stabilized chlorine.

However, not everyone needs to worry about high CYA levels. If you’re a pool owner who drains and refills your pool every year, or if you have an indoor pool, you probably don’t need to worry about cyanuric acid buildup. But if you have an outdoor pool that you keep open year-round and you don’t get much rain, you need to monitor your CYA levels.

By the way, if you find pool maintenance confusing and need more step-by-step help, watch our pool maintenance video course.

Frustrated with adding chemicals and trying to keep your pool clean all the time? We’ve taken all the confusion out of pool maintenance in this easy-to-read, illustrated e-book and video course. It will help you save $100 on pool maintenance instantly! Click here to learn more

What happens when cyanuric acid levels are too high?

If your cyanuric acid levels are too high, it can affect your chlorine’s sanitizing ability, damaging your pool and messing with your water chemistry readings.

Makes chlorine less effective

Too much cyanuric acid can prevent chlorine from doing its job effectively. As CYA increases, the amount of available chlorine that can disinfect the water decreases. And your free chlorine level should be 7.5 percent of your cyanuric acid level. So if your pool has a CYA level of 40ppm, you need to maintain your free chlorine level at 3ppm to effectively sanitize your water. If left out of balance for too long you will see cloudy water and possibly even algae growth.

Contaminates total alkalinity readings

Cyanuric acid contributes to your carbonate alkalinity, and that contributes to total alkalinity. So, high CYA values ​​give incorrect total alkalinity values.

Damage to the plaster finish on the pool walls

Typically, a high CYA concentration means a low pH, since ineffective chlorine can upset the pH balance. This low pH eats away at the plaster on your pool walls.

Unhygienic water

You have less chlorine available to disinfect your water when there is too much cyanuric acid. And that means you run the risk of a build-up of bacteria, algae and contaminants.

How to lower cyanuric acid in a pool

Reducing the cyanuric acid levels in your pool is not an easy solution. But most importantly, stop adding more stabilized chlorine to your pool as soon as possible. This contains cyanuric acid and if you keep adding it to your water, the problem will get worse.

1. Dilute pool water by partial draining and refilling

Diluting your water is the easiest and most effective way to lower the cyanuric acid in your pool. This means draining some of your pool water and replacing it with fresh water. Rainwater can also help dilute your water and CYA levels, but the acidic nature of rain can upset the balance of your pool water.

Before you dilute your water, test your water with test strips or a liquid test kit to determine your current CYA level. If your CYA levels are extremely high, your reading may be “off the chart” and you will need to take a water sample to your local pool store.

Start by partially draining your pool with a submersible pump, hose trap, or the drain setting of your filtration system. When using your filter, set your valve to “Waste” or Drain. Keep in mind that you may only need to remove a few inches of water. And when you drain your pool, just make sure your water level never goes below the skimmer. This will protect your pump from running dry.

Once you have drained some of the water, refill your pool with fresh water and retest your pool chemistry. Continue draining and refilling your water until you have reduced the cyanuric acid level to the normal range of 30-50ppm.

2. Try a chemical cyanuric acid reducer

Although you can buy cyanuric acid reducers, they tend to be very expensive and don’t work for every pool owner. Remember that the most effective way to lower CYA is to drain and refill with fresh water. But if you find that your CYA is incredibly high and you can’t dilute your water, trying a CYA reducer may help.

Keep in mind that cyanuric acid reducers won’t work if you’ve added clarifiers, algaecides, or phosphate treatments to the pool in the past week. In addition, your pool water must be at least 20 °C hot. And your other pool chemicals, like pH and total alkalinity, should be in range before use.

3. Use a reverse osmosis filter

If you cannot dilute your water and have chronically high levels of cyanuric acid, consider purchasing a reverse osmosis filter. The pool water flows through an incredibly fine semi-permeable membrane. Then the water flows through a tank and is filtered through activated carbon before flowing back into the pool.

However, reverse osmosis wastes a lot of water and you can expect to spend a few thousand dollars on the filter and installation. It also causes water wastage. With this filter you create 2 gallons of waste water for every 1 gallon that passes through your filter.

But many pool owners find reverse osmosis filters helpful because they not only reduce CYA, but also lower calcium hardness and total dissolved solids. And reverse osmosis systems are recommended in places where there are water scarcity and restrictions. So while some water is wasted, it saves more water overall compared to an extensive draining and refilling of the pool.

FAQs on lowering cyanuric acid

Need more help lowering CYA levels in your pool? Here are some frequently asked questions and answers.

How do I lower the cyanuric acid in my pool without draining it?

You don’t have to completely drain your pool to lower your cyanuric acid levels. But partial draining and refilling is the most effective way to lower CYA. Start by partially draining the water a few inches and then refilling your pool with fresh water.

What Causes Cyanuric Acid to be High in a Pool?

The most common cause of too much cyanuric acid is adding too much stabilized chlorine. Many chlorine products contain CYA as a chlorine stabilizer. This helps slow chlorine loss from the sun’s UV rays. But as the chlorine breaks down, the CYA remains in the water and gradually increases your cyanuric acid levels over time.

Is It Safe to Swim in a Pool High in Cyanuric Acid?

While it’s technically safe to swim in a pool with a high CYA content, it can affect your other chemicals. Too much cyanuric acid can reduce chlorine effectiveness and make the water unhygienic.

What if my cyanuric acid is too high?

High levels of cyanuric acid can damage your pool liner, contribute to improper water chemistry levels, and reduce your chlorine’s sanitizing ability. And if your water isn’t properly disinfected, problems with cloudy water and algae can arise.

Need more help with pool maintenance?

Matt Giovanisci is the founder of Swim University® and has been in the pool and spa industry since 1995. Since then, his mission has been to make pool and hot tub maintenance easy for everyone. And every year he helps more people with water chemistry, cleaning and troubleshooting.

Whether you manage a commercial, public, or backyard swimming pool, knowing when to add stabilizer to a pool is critical to keeping the water clean and the pool healthy and pathogen-free. What is a pool stabilizer? It often goes by several names – chlorine stabilizer, pool conditioner, chlorine pool stabilizer among others – but essentially it is a chemical additive designed to stabilize and prolong the active life of chlorine in pool water.

What is a pool stabilizer?

Pool stabilizers are important to maintain a clean swimming pool. Along with other factors in keeping a swimming pool clean, such as pH, total alkalinity and water hardness, pool stabilizers need to be properly regulated and tested. They are derived from a chemical compound called cyanuric acid (CYA) and come in a variety of forms – granular or liquid, or in chlorine tablets (or sticks) called trichlor or shock, called dichlor. When chlorine and cyanuric acid are combined in shock or tablet form, it is called stabilized chlorine.

The addition of a cyanuric acid stabilizer to chlorine-treated pool water is necessary to protect the active life of chlorine and its derivatives in the water from the harmful effects of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. When exposed to UV rays, chlorine evaporates quickly. CYA therefore acts specifically against the degradation of chlorine in the water caused by sunlight. Without it, chlorine is reduced by up to 95 percent in shallow areas and 75 percent in bodies of water up to 4.5 feet in two hours. Percentages may vary based on pH and water temperature, but the rapid decomposition of chlorine will still occur and with it the health of your pool water.

The effectiveness of cyanuric acid works by chemically bonding to the chlorine ions when introduced into the pool water. This attachment protects the chlorine from damage caused by the sun’s UV rays. When the right amount of CYA is added to pool water, it slows the rate at which chlorine is released, extending its active life and reducing the need for additional chemicals and costs.

Think of CYA as a sunscreen for the chlorine in the swimming pool. To prevent chlorine loss and improve its active life, the water must be conditioned with a CYA pool stabilizer. On the other hand, it is important that the right amount is added. Ideally, the cyanuric acid level in a pool should be 30 ppm and no more than 50 ppm. Anything below 30ppm is ineffective, with higher chlorine evaporation rates. Anything above 50ppm begins to flatten out the stabilizing effects of CYA. Too much CYA in pool water will interfere with the chlorine’s ability to kill bacteria and algae build-up.

When to add stabilizer to a pool

Before adding pool stabilizer to a swimming pool, the water should be tested to ensure the correct dosage is being added or if an amount is required. Unlike chlorine, CYA does not evaporate. It remains in the pool water until it is either splashed out, backwashed, or drained. It can also be diluted when adding water or after heavy rains.

Pools that are open year-round should periodically test the CYA concentration in the water. Those opened in the spring should only be tested after the pool filter has been on and the water has been circulating for about three to five days. This is because cyanuric acid is denser than water and without a filter and circulating water it will sink and settle to the bottom of the tank. Either-or, it is likely that any significant addition of CYA to the water will be determined by whether the pool is public or private, with the former requiring more monitoring. Remember if you use stabilized chlorine, trichlor tablets or dichlor shock every week, CYA is added with each use.

How to add stabilizer

Knowing how to add stabilizer to a pool is just as important as knowing when. To reach the recommended level of 30 ppm, add one pound of CYA stabilizer for every 4,000 gallons of water. The chemical is a strong acid, so wearing gloves and safety glasses is advisable when preparing the solution. Once the required amount of stabilizer has been calculated, mix in a five-gallon bucket of warm water. Once the solution is prepared, it can be spread evenly around the inside edges of the basin.

Adding a CYA pool stabilizer is important to keep your pool water clean and healthy. The water should be tested regularly to ensure it has the ideal CYA level and no CYA stabilizer should be added until the water is tested.

If you have additional questions about when to add stabilizer to a pool, contact our experienced Halogen Supply team today!

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Stabilizers are an important ingredient in getting your pool chemistry just right. And if you’re like me, you probably don’t know what stabilizer does and how much you need. These are questions that many pool owners struggle to answer.

But don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, we’ll discuss what stabilizers do, when to add them, and how to maintain them.

Let’s get in.

Swimming Pool Water Stabilizer

What is a pool stabilizer and when is it added?

A pool stabilizer is a chemical that helps protect your chlorine so it can effectively sanitize your pool. It does this by stabilizing the chlorine molecule that would otherwise break down in direct sunlight.

You should only add stabilizer if your levels are below 30ppm. Normally you just need to check the level of the stabilizer (cyanuric acid) in your pool every week to assess whether or not it is doing the job.

Stabilizers, however, have much more to offer. You should make sure to add it at the right time, in the right amount, and especially when you shouldn’t be adding a stabilizer.

Read on to learn more about how to manage the pool stabilizer.

What is pool stabilizer?

Pool stabilizer is a chemical used in chlorinated swimming pools to prevent chlorine from dissolving in direct sunlight. When exposed to UV light, free chlorine loses its ability to disinfect the water.

Stabilizers are made of cyanuric acid and attach to the chlorine molecule, preventing it from dissolving in the sun and allowing chlorine to repel bacteria and other waterborne pathogens.

You can buy stabilizers in granular or liquid form. Some people also prefer to buy stabilized chlorine. Stabilized chlorine is free chlorine with a stabilizer already added.

Using stabilized chlorine is often a practical option because you only have to worry about adding one chemical to your pool instead of two. That means it limits your ability to control the levels of stabilizer in the water and can potentially cause you to have high levels of stabilizer.

How to use a pool stabilizer?

When preparing to add a pool stabilizer, you need a good safety kit. Have safety goggles and acid-resistant gloves ready before handling the product.

The first thing to do is test the water. Never add anything to your pool before testing the water. Once you’ve done that, you can assess how much you need to increase or decrease the stabilizer.

To do this, I advise you to read the instructions on the package, since each product differs in the strength of the stabilizer.

Remember that before you can assess how much stabilizer is needed, you must calculate the volume of water in your pool.

You will usually be asked to mix the product in a bucket of warm water before sprinkling it on the edges of your pool or in the skimmer box. However, that depends on whether you buy stabilizer in granular or liquid form.

Again, read the instructions before using the product. But you might be wondering when would be a good time to add stabilizer to your pool? We’ll discuss that in the next section.

When to add pool stabilizer?

The level of stabilizer in your pool should be between 30ppm and 50ppm. This means that you should add stabilizer as soon as it falls below 30ppm.

If the stabilizer level is below 30 ppm, consider adding some to your pool. The water in your pool will probably look a bit green and dirty. This is because there is not enough stabilizer to prevent the free chlorine from dissolving. And when this happens, the lack of chlorine allows algae and bacteria to grow.

As a pool owner, you should always have a test kit available. This allows you to test the water each week to ensure the chemicals in the water are balanced.

So make sure you have a few test strips handy and keep track of whether they test for stabilizers (often referred to as cyanuric acid, or CYA for short).

With this in mind, it’s important to know that unlike other chemicals, stabilizers do not evaporate, which means that too much stabilizer in your pool must be manually removed by partially draining your pool.

Stabilizers can often dissolve slowly. We will discuss some tricks to fix this problem later. But for now it’s just useful to know that you should run your pump for several hours (preferably overnight) before testing the stabilizer levels in your pool.

Often the stabilizer will sink to the bottom of the pool, stick to the walls, or collect around the filter. And since the stabilizer hasn’t dissolved yet, the test strips won’t give you accurate readings.

If your stabilizer level is above 50ppm it will overwhelm the free chlorine and render it ineffective against bacteria – chlorine is not effective at high stabilizer levels. The result is very similar. Greenish, dirty water and/or a cloudy appearance.

Does chlorine not contain a stabilizer?

Pure chlorine does not contain a stabilizer. This means if you add chlorine to your outdoor pool alone, more than half will break down within a few hours. This is often referred to as unstabilized chlorine.

You can find unstabilized chlorine in 3 different forms:

Lithium hypochlorite and calcium hypochlorite are both in granular form. This makes it easily soluble in water and tends to have a higher concentration of chlorine.

Sodium hypochlorite is a liquid form of chlorine that you typically pour onto the edges of your pool.

However, you can buy chlorine products that have been mixed with stabilizers. These are called stabilized chlorine. Stabilized chlorine can be helpful as it keeps your pool clean and UV light shouldn’t break the chlorine molecule apart nearly as quickly.

However, it is a disadvantage when you need to lower the stabilizer level.

You can find two forms of stabilized chlorine. Trichlor, which takes longer to dilute in water, therefore purifies it longer. And sodium dichlor, known for killing black algae and for its neutral pH levels.

You can read all about stabilized chlorine in our article Should you use dichlor or trichlor in your pool?

Whether you choose stabilized or unstabilized chlorine is a matter of personal preference. Depending on the type of pool you have, you may find one more useful than the other.

Here are two stabilized chlorine products that we recommend:

> Rx Clear Dichlorochlor

> Stabilized chlorine tablets (Trichlor)

How to Test Pool Stabilizer Levels?

To test for pool stabilizer levels, purchase some test strips or a good quality liquid test kit and apply them to the water once a week. You can usually dip a test strip in the water, wait for it to react to the chemicals in your pool, and check that the colors match the color chart on the package.

As usual, read the instructions on the packaging and follow them carefully. And remember to check if that particular test kit tests for cyanuric acid.

We recommend this liquid test kit:

Taylor Technologies test kit

How to increase pool stabilizer level?

While stabilizers do not evaporate like other chemicals, lots of splashes, rain and water evaporation on a hot day can affect the levels of stabilizer in your pool.

This is another reason why it is so important to test the water every week. If you find your levels are below 30ppm, you need to add a stabilizer. Fortunately, this problem is quite easy to solve.

To do this, follow these 4 simple steps:

Step 1: Test the water.

Step 2: Calculate the volume of water in your pool.

Step 3: Calculate how much you need to increase the stabilizer level.

Step 4: Add stabilizer after reading the instructions.

For more information on how to add a stabilizer to your pool, here is a more detailed article you can read now.

How to properly dissolve pool stabilizer?

Because stabilizers are much denser than water, they take time to dissolve in your pool. Luckily, there are a few tricks you can use to remedy this.

One of those tricks is to mix it with warm water before adding it to your skimmer box. To do this, make sure you have protection such as gloves and goggles.

Take a large bucket, add warm water, add the stabilizer to the water and stir gently before placing in the skimmer box.

Another good way to help the stabilizer dissolve is to use a sock.

To do this, take the required amount of stabilizer, put it in a pool skimmer sock and place it in the skimmer box. Once you’ve done this, set your pump to a “filter” or “recirculate” setting for 48 hours.

Keep in mind that whichever method you choose, it can take anywhere from two to five days for stabilizers to properly dissolve.

So make sure you let it sit long enough before testing the water. Again, you can take a look at the instructions to get an idea of ​​how long you’ll have to wait.

How to lower pool stabilizer level?

If the water in your pool is turning green, you may need to lower the stabilizer level. This often happens when the stabilizer level exceeds the 50ppm mark.

As I said above, this is a common but irritating problem for pool owners as stabilizers will continue to build up if you do nothing about it.

Fortunately, there is an easy solution to this problem. Here are 4 simple steps you can follow:

1. Stop using stabilized chlorine.

2. Drain part of the pool water.

3. Fill it up with fresh water.

4. Run the pump for a few hours to encourage water flow.

5. Retest the water and repeat the process if the stabilizer level is still too high.

If you reduce the level of stabilizer in your pool, rinse out the filter or replace it entirely as there may be undissolved stabilizer left there.

For more information on how to lower the pool stabilizer level, here is a more detailed article you can read now.

What happens when you have too much stabilizer in your pool?

If the stabilizer level in your pool exceeds 50ppm, free chlorine will be inhibited by the stabilizer. This is also known as chlorine lock or over stabilized water.

As a result, your water will attract bacteria and either become cloudy or look like a pond.

In this case, make sure to dilute the water in your pool until the levels are between 30ppm and 50ppm (see step-by-step guide above).

And check if you are using stabilized or unstabilized chlorine. Stabilized chlorine makes it difficult for you to lower the stabilizer levels in your pool. Stop using them until you get your stabilizer mirrors under control.

Alternatives to pool stabilizers

With so much effort involved in getting your pool chemistry just right, it’s understandable that you’re wondering if there are other alternatives to stabilizers.

The simplest answer I can give you is yes, there are alternatives to stabilizers if you want to sanitize your pool with anything other than chlorine. If that’s not an option for you, then the answer is no.

Because the stabilizer specifically binds to free chlorine molecules, other sanitizers either do not require stabilizers at all or are not usable in outdoor pools.

Bromine is a good example because it breaks down in sunlight. But there is no effective stabilizer for bromine, which is why it is only used in indoor swimming pools.

However, there are other good alternatives to chlorine that will not dissolve in direct sunlight.

An oxygen generator, for example, oxidizes bacteria. This will sanitize your pool without stabilizers.

Some people think saltwater pools are an alternative to stabilizers. However, this is not correct, salt water pools need stabilizers – more so than chlorinated pools.

Pool stabilizer test kits

When purchasing a test kit, make sure it tests for cyanuric acid as this is what stabilizers are made of.

The most accurate test kits are liquid or drop test kits. Test strips also work and are a more convenient solution, but not as accurate as liquid test kits. You should also make sure you have multiple test strips available so you can go through the process multiple times.

Suggested products:

Final Thoughts

Here’s a quick summary of what we discussed in this article:

Stabilizers prevent the chlorine molecule from breaking down so it can fight bacteria in outdoor pools.

Add stabilizer once it falls below 30ppm.

The stabilizer content should be between 30 ppm and 50 ppm.

Stabilizers can take several days to dissolve

Stabilizers don’t evaporate like other chemicals, so make sure you allow enough time before adding more.

You should check your stabilizer level once a week.

Now that you’ve found the perfect balance, make the most of these glorious crystal clear waters! What do you do to keep your pool stable? Let us know in the comments.

Related reading:

Which chlorine to use for inground pools?

Hot Tub Cyanuric Acid (Stabilizer) High | How to lower

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When it comes to maintaining your pool and balancing your chemicals or opening up your pool after winter, it can be difficult to know which chemicals to add and when. Does it really matter what order you add the pool chemicals in?

There is actually a correct order to add your pool chemicals after opening your pool or even just after maintaining your pool. And the order in which you use them actually depends on what you need to achieve with your pool.

An important part of the process is testing the pool water and then working to balance the levels according to the details of your test. There are standard steps you should follow when adding chemicals.

Let’s dig a little deeper into this topic so you know exactly what order to add your pool chemicals in.

pool chemicals

The correct order for adding pool chemicals

We’ve outlined below the very best sequence you can follow to add your pool chemicals for the perfect balance. If you follow these steps and instructions, you shouldn’t have any problems in the end.

It may take a little time to get the hang of it and understand what your pool needs, but you will get there. Just stick to the basic order and work from there.

Here’s a quick overview of the order to add chemicals when opening or customizing your pool:

Alkalinity pH values ​​Calcium Hardness stabilizer Chlorine

Why is it important to add chemicals in the right order?

Can you just randomly add your chemicals and never really know it could be wrong? Well, sure, but that doesn’t mean it’s an effective strategy for managing your pool. It could mean wasting chemicals, or maybe even doing more harm to your water than helping it, or constantly struggling with your pool to try to balance it.

The pool is for playing and sunbathing, so you want to make it a happy place to spend time, right?

Balancing your pool chemicals and adding them in the right order will make maintenance easier for you, safe for swimmers, but also protect your pool materials and equipment.

What happens if you add chemicals in the wrong order?

Adding chemicals in the wrong order can create a chemical imbalance and even make your pool problems worse, or cause a chemical to become ineffective due to the combination or the way the chemicals work.

You must achieve balance with specific areas and follow a process designed to correct water imbalances. If you just throw away chemicals in no particular order, it will make balancing your water that much harder and ultimately it will likely cost you more money.

Keep in mind that not all chemicals mix, so while you will be adding both chemicals to the pool, how you do it will definitely make a difference.

What chemicals to add, when and why

Below is a detailed overview of the order in which you should add pool chemicals and why it is important. This method includes opening your pool after the winter and regular maintenance as well.

If you open your pool after winter, you should check the following:

How to open an underground swimming pool in 8 steps

1. Start testing your water

The first thing to do before you start adding any chemicals is to test the water. You should also make sure you have your pump turned on as this will help circulate the chemicals throughout the pool.

Most experts recommend testing pool water 1-2 times a week.

While you’re testing and waiting for the results, you can prepare your supplies for adding chemicals. You also need to know your pool volume.

The easiest way to calculate your volume is to use a pool volume calculator like this one.

Pool Water Volume Calculator

Your test kit should cover chlorine, cyanuric acid (aka stabilizer), pH, alkalinity, and calcium hardness.

Taylor Technologies test kit

Click here to check the price >>

2. Alkalinity Levels

First you need to deal with the alkalinity of your pool. You should know your stats from the test you took before you started. This is the first thing to do after testing the water.

You do this before messing with your pH, since alkaline is considered a pH stabilizer or buffer. What you add to adjust the alkalinity depends on whether you need to increase or decrease the alkalinity.

The standard alkali level should be between 80 and 120 PPM.

To reduce alkalinity, try adding dry acid (sodium bisulfate) or hydrochloric acid

To increase alkalinity, try adding baking soda (sodium bicarbonate).

3. Manage pH: Add hydrochloric acid from soda ash

If you’ve ever swum in a pool and your eyes or skin burned while swimming, or even after swimming, it’s probably because the pool’s pH level wasn’t right. The pH value is for the comfort of the swimmer.

Also, chlorine isn’t as effective if the pH isn’t right. Finally, improper pH levels can increase corrosion of pool equipment.

You may want to test your pH after adjusting your alkalinity so you know exactly what to do. The pH ranges from 1.0 to 14.0 on the scale. The perfect range is between 7.4 and 7.6.

To lower the pH, use sodium bisulfate or hydrochloric acid

To raise the pH, use sodium carbonate (baking soda) or baking soda (best)

Test pool water

4. Set the calcium hardness

Calcium can build up on the edges of your pool and become discolored. Not only can it make your pool look dirty, it can damage the equipment as well as the pool structure.

The best range for calcium hardness is 200-400 PPM.

To reduce lime hardness, fill the pool with fresh water. You may need to partially drain your pool and then refill with fresh water to remove scale. You should also brush and then vacuum your pool to remove excess calcium

To increase calcium hardness, add calcium chloride. Be sure to follow all manufacturer’s instructions.

5. Add stabilizer (cyanuric acid)

Next comes the stabilizer. Stabilizer is cyanuric acid. It is important that you do this correctly BEFORE adjusting the chlorine levels. Basically, the right amount of stabilizer makes the added chlorine more effective and lasts longer.

When you add chlorine, the sun’s UV rays actually burn it, so the stabilizer prevents that from happening, or at least slows it down. Too little stabilizer and your chlorine will quickly dissolve and not be effective.

Your chlorine may already contain a stabilizer, so check that detail as well. We recommend chlorine without a stabilizer so that you can control the stabilizer level separately.

Ideally, the stabilizer should be between 30-50 PPM.

If the stabilizer is too high, the chlorine will be prevented from working effectively and you will actually need a lot more to do the same job. You can reduce it by draining a little water from the pool and refilling it with fresh water to dilute it.

If the stabilizer is too low, you can add some cyanuric acid or use a stabilized chlorine like trichlor for a while.

Now that you’ve got the stabilizer levels in order, you can move on to the next thing.

6. Add chlorine

Finally, once you’ve got all the other chemical levels right, you should be able to add your chlorine. This is a pool sanitizer and helps keep the pool clean and sanitary for multiple swimmers.

It is important that you do not adjust the chlorine level unless the other values ​​are correct, especially the pH and stabilizer. If the pH and stabilizer aren’t right, your chlorine will lose effectiveness. In some cases you may need triple the amount of chlorine to achieve the same disinfecting effect.

Having the right pH and stabilizer level saves you money on chlorine.

You can find chlorine in many different forms including tablets, liquid, granules, or in the case of a saltwater pool, a salt chlorine generator is used to produce chlorine. There’s also a pool shock, a chlorine that works quickly to sanitize the pool.

Your test should be able to accurately determine free chlorine levels. Since you’ve already worked to balance everything else, you might just want to test the chlorine at this stage to know where to adjust it.

The chlorine level should ideally be 3-5 PPM.

Shock the pool

You may not need to shock your pool, but if you feel like there’s some algae or it’s particularly dirty (like after a heavy rain or heavy swim), you can shock your pool. It’s best to dissolve your pool shock in a bucket of water and then slowly pour it all over the pool rather than just dumping it in.

It’s always best to shock your pool when the sun goes down to avoid burning the chlorine in the UV light.

Can you add all your chemicals at once?

Adding chemicals to the pool

You should never add all of your chemicals at once. This has to be done in a process and can actually be completed over a period of a day or two.

There are two reasons:

Adding all of your pool chemicals at once can create dangerous chemicals, possibly even causing the chemicals to explode. You should never mix chemicals together. It’s best to add chemicals slowly. This way, you avoid fluctuating chemical concentrations, which can happen when you make large adjustments at once. What you want to do instead is add smaller amounts of chemicals, retest the water to see the effects of the adjustment, and add more chemicals if needed.

Conclusion

Adding pool chemicals in the correct order is a must when maintaining your swim. Always make sure the pH and stabilizer levels are correct before adding more chlorine. These have the greatest impact on maintaining clean and clear pool water.

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So you just tested your pool water and found that you are low in cyanuric acid. And now you need to know how to dissolve pool stabilizers to increase cyanuric acid. Luckily you are in the right place.

If you’ve added chlorine stabilizer to your pool water, you may already know that the stabilizer is slow to dissolve. There are a few tricks to get cyanuric acid to dissolve.

For reference only, pool stabilizer may also be known as cyanuric acid, CYA, stabilizer, chlorine stabilizer. I will use these names interchangeably throughout this article.

Pocket-

How to dissolve pool stabilizer

Here’s the best way to add pool stabilizer so it dissolves faster.

First, do not sprinkle cyanuric acid directly into the pool. Get that idea out of your head. It could get into the plaster or damage your pool liner. Also, pool stabilizer granules don’t feel good on your feet.

Dissolution Stabilizer (Cyanuric Acid) – Skimmer Sock Method

Step 1) Measure out the amount of stabilizer you need.

Step 2) Put the chlorine stabilizer in a pool skimmer sock. (You can grab one here if you don’t already have a pool skimmer sock).

Step 3) Place the sock in the skimmer box or hang it over the return nozzle.

Step 4) Run your pump on “Filter” or “Circulate” for 48 hours. Then run it at regular intervals.

The benefit of this method is that if you need to backwash your filter, you don’t have to pump out the expensive CYA. Most of it stays in the sock.

Dissolution Stabilizer (Cyanuric Acid) – Warm Water Method

Step 1) Measure the chlorine stabilizer.

Step 2) Add the cyanuric acid to half a bucket of warm water. Give him a quick mix.

Step 3) Pour the stabilizer and water mixture directly into the skimmer box.

Step 4) Run your pump on “Filter” or “Circulate” for 48 hours. Then run it at regular intervals.

The disadvantage of this method is that you cannot backwash your pool until the chlorine stabilizer has completely dissolved.

With either method, the stabilizer does not dissolve immediately – it takes at least 48 hours and up to 5 days.

What is cyanuric acid/swimming pool stabilizer and what is it for?

Cyanuric acid, or pool stabilizer, is a chemical added to your pool to stabilize the chlorine when exposed to sunlight. Without a pool stabilizer, your chlorine will quickly become unusable from the UV rays in the sunlight.

General problems

Chlorine stabilizer does not dissolve

Non-dissolving stabilizers can be quite frustrating and are a common complaint from pool owners. If your pool stabilizer won’t dissolve or your cyanuric acid (aka pool stabilizer) is slow to dissolve, read on.

First of all, we are talking about powdered or granular stabilizer (cyanuric acid) and not liquid chlorine stabilizer. If you’re using liquid cyanuric acid, you probably don’t need to read this article because liquid stabilizer mixes instantly with pool water and doesn’t need to dissolve.

The reason your chlorine stabilizer isn’t dissolving isn’t because you did anything wrong. That’s because cyanuric acid is simply not a fast-dissolving chemical.

That being said, there are a few tricks you can use to get the cyanuric acid to dissolve a bit faster, but overall it takes just as long as using granular or powdered cyanuric acid.

Tips for faster dissolving stabilizers

With the sock method, some people like to press the sock every now and then to help the cyanuric acid dissolve. I’m not sure if this has actually proven to break down the stabilizer faster, but give it a try – it might work for you.

With either method, it’s important to keep the pump running and circulating the water 24 hours a day for the first 48 hours. This helps the cyanuric acid mix and also dissolves faster.

How long does it take for cyanuric acid to dissolve?

How long it takes cyanuric acid to dissolve depends on how you added the chlorine stabilizer to your pool. The dissolution time of cyanuric acid is 2 to 5 days.

It’s important to be patient during this time and wait for it to completely dissolve before adding more cyanuric acid to the water. The cyanuric acid level will continue to increase until all of the chlorine stabilizer has completely dissolved.

You don’t want to add more pool stabilizer than necessary. Too much cyanuric acid in your pool means the chlorine is less effective at fighting the bad bacteria. If you added too much stabilizer, read our article here on how to lower cyanuric acid levels.

Sometimes it may seem like the pool stabilizer has dissolved, but be aware that it probably won’t have completely dissolved in less than 48 hours.

Which stabilizer dissolves faster: powdered, granular or liquid cyanuric acid?

If you are in a hurry and don’t want cyanuric acid granules on your pool floor or need to increase your stabilizer levels in a hurry, I would suggest that you use liquid cyanuric acid.

Liquid stabilizer mixes instantly with pool water. In fact, you can expect it to be fully mixed within hours of adding it to the water. The downside, however, is that liquid cyanuric acid is expensive compared to other forms of chlorine stabilizers. It is much more economical to use powdered or granular pool stabilizers.

Granular chlorine stabilizer is the most common form of cyanuric acid for your pool and the most economical way to purchase it. As previously mentioned, it takes at least 48 hours and up to a week to fully dissipate.

Powdered cyanuric acid is not as common and may not be available in your area. It is reported to not dissolve faster than granular stabilizer. Although a fine powder, it often clumps together when mixed with water, forming a large solid stabilizer mass.

Summarize

Pool stabilizer dissolves fairly slowly no matter what method you use. It takes 2-5 days to completely dissolve.

There are two methods you can use to dissolve the stabilizer in your pool water.

You can either put the stabilizer in a pool skimmer box sock and hang the sock in front of the return nozzle or put it in the skimmer box. Or you can just mix it in a bucket of water first and pour it into the skimmer box. Either method is fine for dissolving the stabilizer.

Run your pump to accelerate the rate at which the stabilizer dissolves and mix the chemical with the rest of the water.

One thing is for sure though, chlorine stabilizer is an essential chemical to help preserve the chlorine in your pool and keep it effective.

suggested products

Cyanuric acid – granular form

Cyanuric acid – liquid form

Pool water test strips

Liquid pool water test kit

chlorine

Pool Skimmer Socks

Stabilized chlorine tablets

Dispenser for chlorine tablets

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Low levels of cyanuric acid in your pool is something that you definitely need to address. While it poses no health risks, it will cost you money if you don’t bother to fix a low stabilizer (cyanuric acid).

Cyanuric acid (also known as cya, chlorine stabilizer, pool stabilizer, and pool sunscreen) is an important chemical in your pool that protects your chlorine from dissolving too quickly. Without them, you’ll be spending a bunch of money adding buckets of chlorine.

In this article I will show you how to increase cyanuric acid in your pool.

And if you want to learn more about pool stabilizers and cyanuric acid, read our article on what pool stabilizers are here.

How to increase cyanuric acid in the pool

Step 1) Calculate the volume of water in your pool.

Step 2) Calculate the amount of Cyanuric Acid (Stabilizer) you need.

Generally, you need to add 1 pound of cyanuric acid to increase the level by 10 ppm per 10,000 gallons of water.

Note: Some cyanuric acids, also called pool stabilizers, vary, so check the package directions before calculating the amount you need.

A word of caution, it’s far better to add small amounts over time than risk adding too much. Once cyanuric acid is in the pool there is no way to get it out other than by draining some water.

Step 3) Add the cyanuric acid

If you use liquid cyanuric acid, you can pour it directly into the filter box.

If using granular cyanuric acid (most popular) or the powder form of cyanuric acid, it’s best to place the cya in a foam sock first. Then you can either hang it in front of the return nozzle (use a pool pole) or you can put it in the skimmer box.

Alternatively, you can put cyanuric acid in a bucket of warm water and then pour it into the skimmer box.

The disadvantage of pouring directly into the skimmer box is that you may find granules at the bottom of your pool floor (which isn’t great to the touch on your feet AND can also damage the pool liner). Also, don’t backwash your pool until the stabilizer has dissolved (about 2-5 days) – otherwise you risk washing the cyanuric acid with it.

Step 4) Turn your pump on to the ‘Circulate’ or ‘Filter’ setting.

With liquid stabilizer, you only need to leave it on for a few hours to mix through.

For granular cyanuric acid, leave the pump on for 48 hours. Then run the pump at least 4 hours a day for a week (you should be doing that anyway).

Step 5) Test the water again and repeat if necessary.

Note on testing cyanuric acid levels

When you use liquid cyanuric acid to increase cyanuric acid levels, it quickly mixes with the water and increases the level within a few hours.

The granular form can last from several days to a week as it takes time to completely dissolve. So don’t be alarmed and add more stabilizer if the stats didn’t go up right away. If the stabilizer does not dissolve, read our article: How to dissolve the pool stabilizer | Stabilizer does not dissolve

Why is cyanuric acid low?

Unlike other chemicals in your pool, cyanuric acid does not naturally dissolve. Once it’s in your pool it’s there forever and the only way to get it out is to remove some of the water.

So if it’s not going anywhere, why is the stabilizer low I hear you ask?

Good question! Low cyanuric acid is caused by water withdrawal and replenishment.

Here are the main reasons you may be losing water and need to fill up your pool:

Rain

evaporation

syringes

basin leaking

The cyanuric acid level doesn’t actually get low when you remove the water, but when you add more water. Topping up the water has a diluting effect, thereby reducing the cyanuric acid in your pool.

If you have experienced high cyanuric acid levels, you may be interested in our article: How to Lower Cyanuric Acid in the Pool (Cyanuric Acid Too High)

Is low cyanuric acid a problem?

Chlorine is actually more effective at killing the nasty bugs when the pool stabilizer is low. The problem with low cyanuric acid is that chlorine breaks down quickly in the presence of sunlight. Chlorine becomes completely ineffective within a few hours after sun exposure.

If you didn’t have cyanuric acid in your pool or it was low, you’ll find that you need to add a lot more chlorine to get an effective sanitization. So unless you’re comfortable spending more than necessary on chlorine and adding chlorine a few times a day, I would suggest that you increase the chlorine stabilizer level to the proper level.

Is it safe to swim in a pool that has low cyanuric acid?

It’s perfectly fine to swim in a pool with low cyanuric acid levels as long as the chlorine levels have been maintained.

What is the correct chlorine level for cyanuric acid?

It is generally accepted that free chlorine should be around 7.5% of the CYA content.

That means if your cyanuric acid level is 50 ppm, you need 3.75 ppm (7.5%) free chlorine for effective disinfection. You can read more about the right cyanuric acid level in our article:

Cyanuric Acid for Pools – The Complete Guide for Pool Owners

Do all pools require cyanuric acid?

No, all pools do not require cyanuric acid. Here’s why.

As mentioned above, sunlight breaks down chlorine quickly. Pool stabilizer (cyanuric acid) protects the chlorine from this reaction. So cyanuric acid only need tanks that are exposed to UV light.

Importantly, however, this only applies to chlorinated pools. Pools sanitized by alternative ozone and UV systems do not require cyanuric acid. The sole job of cyanuric acid is to protect the chlorine.

Which products contain cyanuric acid?

Another way to increase cyanuric acid levels is to use chlorine products that contain cyanuric acid. These may be marketed as stabilized chlorine. Pool shock products also usually contain cyanuric acid.

These products that contain cyanuric acid:

dichlor

trichloro

chlorine shock

trichloroisocyanurate

sodium dichloroisocyanurate

potassium dichloroisocyanurate

These increase cyanuric acid levels, but more slowly than adding pure cyanuric acid.

These chlorine products do NOT contain cyanuric acid:

liquid chlorine

Calcium Hypochlorite (Cal-Hypo)

dry chlorine

summary

In summary, it is safe to swim in a pool that is low in cyanuric acid as long as you have the correct levels of free chlorine.

To increase the cyanuric acid in your pool, you should test your water and determine by how much you need to increase the stabilizer level.

Then calculate the amount of stabilizer to add (read the instructions on the stabilizer pack). The best way to add stabilizer is in a skimmer sock or you can mix it in a warm bucket of water and pour into the skimmer.

It can take 5 days for cyanuric acid to dissolve so be patient before adding more or you risk overdoing it and ending up with high cyanuric acid.

If you follow these steps, your pool’s chemistry will soon be restored and back to normal levels.

Have fun swimming!

suggested products

Cyanuric acid – granular form

Cyanuric acid – liquid form

Pool water test strips

Liquid pool water test kit

chlorine

Pool Skimmer Socks

Stabilized chlorine tablets

Dispenser for chlorine tablets

Whether you manage a commercial, public, or backyard swimming pool, knowing when to add stabilizer to a pool is critical to keeping the water clean and the pool healthy and pathogen-free. What is a pool stabilizer? It often goes by several names – chlorine stabilizer, pool conditioner, chlorine pool stabilizer among others – but essentially it is a chemical additive designed to stabilize and prolong the active life of chlorine in pool water.

What is a pool stabilizer?

Pool stabilizers are important to maintain a clean swimming pool. Along with other factors in keeping a swimming pool clean, such as pH, total alkalinity and water hardness, pool stabilizers need to be properly regulated and tested. They are derived from a chemical compound called cyanuric acid (CYA) and come in a variety of forms – granular or liquid, or in chlorine tablets (or sticks) called trichlor or shock, called dichlor. When chlorine and cyanuric acid are combined in shock or tablet form, it is called stabilized chlorine.

The addition of a cyanuric acid stabilizer to chlorine-treated pool water is necessary to protect the active life of chlorine and its derivatives in the water from the harmful effects of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. When exposed to UV rays, chlorine evaporates quickly. CYA therefore acts specifically against the degradation of chlorine in the water caused by sunlight. Without it, chlorine is reduced by up to 95 percent in shallow areas and 75 percent in bodies of water up to 4.5 feet in two hours. Percentages may vary based on pH and water temperature, but the rapid decomposition of chlorine will still occur and with it the health of your pool water.

The effectiveness of cyanuric acid works by chemically bonding to the chlorine ions when introduced into the pool water. This attachment protects the chlorine from damage caused by the sun’s UV rays. When the right amount of CYA is added to pool water, it slows the rate at which chlorine is released, extending its active life and reducing the need for additional chemicals and costs.

Think of CYA as a sunscreen for the chlorine in the swimming pool. To prevent chlorine loss and improve its active life, the water must be conditioned with a CYA pool stabilizer. On the other hand, it is important that the right amount is added. Ideally, the cyanuric acid level in a pool should be 30 ppm and no more than 50 ppm. Anything below 30ppm is ineffective, with higher chlorine evaporation rates. Anything above 50ppm begins to flatten out the stabilizing effects of CYA. Too much CYA in pool water will interfere with the chlorine’s ability to kill bacteria and algae build-up.

When to add stabilizer to a pool

Before adding pool stabilizer to a swimming pool, the water should be tested to ensure the correct dosage is being added or if an amount is required. Unlike chlorine, CYA does not evaporate. It remains in the pool water until it is either splashed out, backwashed, or drained. It can also be diluted when adding water or after heavy rains.

Pools that are open year-round should periodically test the CYA concentration in the water. Those opened in the spring should only be tested after the pool filter has been on and the water has been circulating for about three to five days. This is because cyanuric acid is denser than water and without a filter and circulating water it will sink and settle to the bottom of the tank. Either-or, it is likely that any significant addition of CYA to the water will be determined by whether the pool is public or private, with the former requiring more monitoring. Remember if you use stabilized chlorine, trichlor tablets or dichlor shock every week, CYA is added with each use.

How to add stabilizer

Knowing how to add stabilizer to a pool is just as important as knowing when. To reach the recommended level of 30 ppm, add one pound of CYA stabilizer for every 4,000 gallons of water. The chemical is a strong acid, so wearing gloves and safety glasses is advisable when preparing the solution. Once the required amount of stabilizer has been calculated, mix in a five-gallon bucket of warm water. Once the solution is prepared, it can be spread evenly around the inside edges of the basin.

Adding a CYA pool stabilizer is important to keep your pool water clean and healthy. The water should be tested regularly to ensure it has the ideal CYA level and no CYA stabilizer should be added until the water is tested.

If you have additional questions about when to add stabilizer to a pool, contact our experienced Halogen Supply team today!

< What is cyanuric acid and how will it affect my pool water? One of the most commonly used chemicals to prevent chlorine loss in swimming pools is cyanuric acid (also called CYA, conditioner or stabilizer). It protects the free chlorine from being destroyed by the UV rays of the sun. However, people often wonder what other effects cyanuric acid has in our pool water and how we can best use this chemical to our advantage. In this article, we'll dive into that information and how it relates to your pool water care. Cyanuric acid is known as a stabilizer for the chlorine in swimming pools exposed to sunlight. It helps reduce chlorine loss by protecting free chlorine in the pool from the sun's UV rays and reducing the amount of chlorine needed to maintain adequate sanitizer levels. Because of this, cyanuric acid can help reduce the cost of maintaining a safe and clean swimming pool. With that said, you may be wondering how much cyanuric acid should be in my pool water? Areas exposed to strong sunlight should maintain 60-80 ppm (parts per million). Pools using an ORP (Oxidation Reduction Potential) controller such as the AutoPilot Total Control should maintain 30-50ppm. Indoor pools do not need cyanuric acid unless it is regularly exposed to sunlight. What if there is too much cyanuric acid? How much cyanuric acid is too much? Some states recommend commercial pool guidelines of 100 ppm as a maximum, others have set a maximum of 30 ppm, and still others prohibit the use of cyanuric acid. Please check with your local regulations for what is recommended in your area. What Could Happen If You Have High Cyanuric Acid Levels? The first issue would be the potency (effectiveness) of the chlorine as a disinfectant. Higher concentrations bind to the chlorine, making it work more slowly to kill bacteria and microorganisms and prevent algae. Higher concentrations also increase pool water turbidity. At this point it would be advisable to replace some of the pool water with fresh water as there is no other way to reduce the cyanuric acid in the pool water. Some pool owners who use powder, tablet, or stick forms of stabilized chlorine unknowingly add cyanuric acid since most of the chlorine sold today contains cyanuric acid. Continuous use of these products without regular water changes increases cyanuric acid to high levels. When buying chlorine, look for stabilized chlorine products such as: sodium dichloro-s-triazinetrione trichloro-s-triazinetrione Calcium hypochlorite and sodium hypochlorite are two forms that do not have cyanuric acid added. It is highly recommended that you routinely test your pool water to keep an eye on these and other issues. To learn more about the appropriate level of chemicals in your pool, please click here. And if you have any further questions or suggestions on this subject, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!