Do you see maintaining a pool as a game of balancing chemical levels? Adding one type of chemical can affect the levels of other chemicals, and cyanuric acid is no exception. It requires careful handling since lowering its level can be challenging. But is there a magical “reducer” that can help eliminate this issue?
We have seriously gone for this topic, and in this article, we will provide you with some interesting methods of lowering the CYA level such as reverse osmosis pool services and much more! Prepare to get all the information you need to control the full potential of this “friend” of chlorine.
Imagine that on a sunny day, you are preparing your pool for a pleasant pastime with chlorine. And suddenly you realize that after a short time, your chlorine level is as low as if you had never added chlorine. Not the best feeling, is it? But this is exactly where cyanuric acid shows its strength. It protects your pool from the harmful effects of the sun’s strong UV rays, which reduce the effectiveness of the sanitizer.
Cyanuric acid is an official name (like Clark Kent for Superman) because of its popularity as a stabilizer. We gave the Superman example for a reason, cyanuric acid helps your chlorine to last longer under sunlight (up to 8 times on average).
As we have already described, cyanuric acid acts as a sunscreen for chlorine, protecting it from UV exposure and significantly extending its life. As an outdoor pool owner, you should make sure that the CYA level is neither too high nor too low. So let’s dive in to find out all the consequences of the wrong cyanuric acid treatment.
You know that if too much salt is added to your meal, it won’t be so pleasant anymore. But if added too little, there won’t be any effect. Pretty much with cyanuric acid. So where is that golden mean?
For the best chlorine protection, make sure the cyanuric acid level is between 30-50 ppm. If the level is lower, it means that the chlorine is taking all the “hits” from the sunlight, so you’ll have to keep adding chlorine with cyanuric acid without any positive effect. The solution for low CYA levels is clear – just add more. But what if they’re higher than normal?
To find out what your current CYA level is, we recommend you use test strips or a test pool kit.
A high CYA level doesn’t have anything positive for both you and your pool. To start with, the efficacy of your chlorine will decrease. Yes, it may last longer, but it won’t bring any result (similar to a low CYA level effect). In addition, chlorine’s task in the pool is to kill harmful viruses, bacteria, and microorganisms. But when it doesn’t work to its maximum, your pool environment will have great conditions for algae growth. So, let us reveal the factors that influence CYA levels to be able to prevent unpleasant incidents.
You surely know this pool law: “If you want your chlorine to do its best under the sunlight, then you should add a stabilizer!”. But what stabilizer to add to increase not only chlorine efficiency but a CYA level? We recommend you choose Pool Mate Swimming Pool Stabilizer and Conditioner as a lot of buyers claimed it to have the best stabilizing effect!
The first question to ask when the CYA level in your pool is high is: “How to lower it most simply?”. The answer might be a cyanuric acid reducer. But will it rescue you? Let’s find out.
Essentially, the working pattern behind the cyanuric acid reducer is based on an enzyme that breaks down the cyanuric acid molecules into smaller components that can be more easily filtered out of the water.
When the cyanuric acid reducer is added to the pool, it is typically distributed evenly around the perimeter of the pool. So it will then circulate through the water and gradually break down the CYA levels over time.
The reviews of the cyanuric acid reducer cast doubt on its efficiency. As there is a part of people that tried it, and it didn’t work at all, they claim that there is no better way to reduce CYA levels but to drain water. When another part had a success with it.
In general, a cyanuric acid reducer can be an effective tool for lowering CYA levels in a pool, but it should not be relied on as the sole solution. Regular pool maintenance, including partial draining and refilling of the water, is also important for maintaining proper water chemistry.
It’s also worth noting that cyanuric acid reducer may not work instantaneously, and it may take several days or even weeks for the CYA levels to reach the desired range. In addition, if in your region, draining and refilling the pool is way expensive giving it a chance and trying cyanuric acid reducer may positively change your chemical situation.
As previously mentioned, fully or partially draining your pool is the most effective way to reduce CYA levels. However, this process can take numerous days and is not particularly enjoyable. So, how do you determine which part of the water to drain to achieve the appropriate CYA level?
There is a rule of thumb that states that if your CYA level is X percent higher, you’ll need to drain X percent of your pool volume. For example, if the CYA level is 75 ppm (which is 50% more than an ideal one) you’ll need to drain approximately haft of your pool water.
Draining the pool, either fully or partially, can be a costly and resource-intensive process. Therefore, let’s explore alternative methods for lowering CYA levels that do not involve draining the pool.
One option is to use a cyanuric acid reducer. You can reduce the use of stabilized chlorine or chlorine products that contain cyanuric acid. While this may not result in an immediate decrease in CYA levels, it can prevent them from increasing further. Additionally, heavy rainfall in your area can naturally reduce the cyanuric acid level in your pool.
Furthermore, you can search for some local companies in your area (such as Pacific Pools Inc. in California) that offer reverse osmosis pool services. Do not know what reverse osmosis is and how it works? Well, we are going to fix that.
Reverse osmosis is a water filtration process. A lot of pool enjoyers see it as a great alternative to draining water (which can be very expensive) and saving water, so they build these big trailers with reverse osmosis filtration systems inside. Now let us give a concrete example.
Imagine, you have offered such services. You are confronted with pool employees coming to you with this trailer. They set up hoses and pump your pool water through this trailer. Since there is a reverse osmosis filtration system there, the water will flow back into your pool crystal clear (you can even drink it!). This way of purifying your pool water can be very effective (since you do not waste as much water) and is more affordable for you, especially if the water in your area is very expensive!
For example, one research has shown the average national cost of filling a pool with water is about $900. Doesn’t seem to be an attractive price, does it? While reverse osmosis filtration services cost on average $500-700.
If you want to master the art of maintaining the appropriate CYA levels, we suggest utilizing test strips or test kits. Test kits are more expensive, but they let you check a wider spectrum of chemicals and their levels, so choosing a test kit is the perfect option if you suspect your cyanuric acid levels are extremely high. Keep in mind that it’s crucial to test the water if you use stabilized chlorine or any chlorine products that contain cyanuric acid (e.g., dichlor or trichlor).
Testing the CYA level once a week should suffice to keep your pool water safe. However, be sure to monitor this chemical level after rainfall, as it can decrease the CYA level.
Understanding the role of cyanuric acid in your pool is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable swimming environment. A high CYA level can present challenges, as it might be not a quick and cheap problem to solve. By monitoring and regularly testing the levels, as well as using appropriate cyanuric acid treatment methods, you can maintain the ideal CYA level for quite a long time. It is important to remember that your pool is a place of relaxation, and with proper care, you can make the most of it. So, now you can dive into your pool with a calm soul as you know how to maintain a proper CYA level and prevent it from rising.
The best way to get cyanuric acid levels down in a swimming pool is to dilute the water with fresh one. If this process is problematic for you, you can try a cyanuric acid reducer.
Yes, there are several cyanuric acid reducers available on the market, both chemical and natural. But as the experience shows, for some people it doesn’t work as described.
The answer to this question isn’t that simple. Many people state that cyanuric acid reducers are not effective at all or have a very slow effect. But for some people they work. Anyway, the truly reliable method is to drain and refill the water.
No, using baking soda in your pool will lead to absolutely another effect. It is used to increase the alkalinity of the pool water and maintain proper pH levels, but it does not affect CYA levels.
Fortunately, the process of lowering CYA levels in the pool and hot tub are pretty much the same. The most optimal solution here is to fully or partially drain the water.
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