Quck answer
To raise stabilizer levels in swimming pools, follow these steps:
1. Test the water: Use a pool water testing kit to measure the current stabilizer level. The ideal range is between 30-50 ppm (parts per million).
2. Determine the required amount: Based on the test results, calculate the amount of stabilizer needed to raise the levels. Follow the instructions on the stabilizer product for the correct dosage.
3. Add stabilizer: Slowly pour the required amount of stabilizer directly into the pool water. It is best to add it near the pool skimmer or in front of a return jet to aid in distribution.
4. Circulate the water: Turn on the pool pump and let it run for at least 24-48 hours to circulate the stabilizer throughout the pool.
5. Retest and repeat if necessary: After the circulation period, retest the water to ensure the stabilizer levels have increased. If needed, repeat the process until the desired range is reached.
Remember to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and guidelines when adding any chemicals to your pool.
When sunlight hits it, chlorine breaks down and loses its effectiveness as a sanitizer. This occurs rapidly, and on a sunny day, the chlorine level in a shallow pool can drop from an acceptable 5 parts per million to nearly zero in just a few hours.
Chlorine Stabilizer
Cyanuric acid, commonly known as CYA, acts as a stabilizer that counteracts the effects of sunlight on chlorine. CYA works by forming a chemical bond with chlorine, preventing it from breaking down under ultraviolet light. With the appropriate amount of CYA in the water, which is typically recommended to be between 30 and 50 parts per million in outdoor freshwater pools, the chlorine level will be more stable and the amount of chlorine needed to maintain proper sanitizer levels will be significantly reduced.
Indoor pools, which are not exposed to sunlight, do not require CYA, and saltwater pools should have a CYA level between 70 and 80 parts per million.
Disadvantages of Stabilizers
While stabilizers prevent chlorine from breaking down, they also decrease its effectiveness as a disinfectant. Therefore, when there is CYA in the water, the chlorine level needs to be higher than it would normally be in order to be effective. The recommended chlorine level depends on the CYA level; when CYA is at 30 parts per million, chlorine should be between 2 and 4 parts per million, but when CYA is at 50 parts per million, chlorine should be between 4 and 6 parts per million.
Maintaining the higher chlorine level will require adding more sanitizer, but the additional amount needed will be much less than the amount needed to replace losses caused by UV exposure if stabilizer is not used, and you will have to add chlorine much less frequently.
Because CYA significantly reduces the effectiveness of chlorine in killing certain bacteria commonly found in spas and hot tubs, using CYA in spas is not recommended.
Stabilizer Products
Standalone CYA stabilizers are available, and some chlorine-based sanitizer products already contain CYA. Chemical products called dichlor and trichlor contain both chlorine and CYA, and if you are using these products as sanitizers in your pool, you will likely not need to add additional CYA.
Test CYA levels weekly to ensure they are within the recommended range.
Adding Stabilizer
If you need to increase your CYA level, first determine the amount of stabilizer needed. Generally, adding about 13 ounces of granular stabilizer will raise the CYA level of 10,000 gallons of water by 10 parts per million.
Add the stabilizer to the skimmer basket while the pump is running, and keep the pump running for 24 hours after adding the stabilizer. Do not backwash or clean the filter for a week after adding the stabilizer.
Stabilizers dissolve slowly in the pool, and it will take several days before you can obtain an accurate test reading to determine how much the CYA level has increased. Wait a week before retesting the level, and only add more stabilizer if necessary.
