Heading straight to the point: here’s how to lower the level of cyanuric acid in the pool without draining it.
Firstly, it’s necessary that you drain some (not all) of the pool water to waste.
Secondly, increase the water again to normal levels.
Thirdly, circulate the pool water by running your pump for some hours and mixing the fresh water and test with the existing water.
Lastly, test the cyanuric acid and pool stabilizer levels again to check for progress. If the level is still too high, repeat the process.
Now, let’s answer the question, “Does baking soda reduce it?’’ Well, the answer is simply NO.
Cyanuric acid and baking soda work in quite different ways. Baking soda raises the total alkalinity in your pool, but it does not protect or stabilize cyanuric acid levels.
What chemical can be used to lower the amount of cyanuric acid
There are several chemicals out there that can help lower the amount of cyanuric acid. An example of one is the CYA removal kit.
The CYA removal kit chemical helps lower the cyanuric acid levels in the pool and helps you attain the average range of 30-50 pmm.
Common steps on how to use the CYA removal chemical are as follows;
Add the CYA removal kit chemical to reduce the level to a 1-3 ppm range. Take note, you must maintain a minimum of 1 ppm of chlorine during the cyanide process.
How to apply the CYA removal kit; ensure the pool water is balanced to the following parameters: alkalinity: 80-120ppm, pH: 7.2-7.5, phosphate: below 100ppb.
Also note, the temperature of the water should be above 65 degrees.
- Test the chlorine level. Compare it to the chart below to determine the amount of CYA removal kit to reduce the level to 1-3 ppm.
- While the pool system is running, add the required amount of CYA remove kit to the pool evenly around the edge.
- Continue circulating the pool water for at least four hours. Re-test the chlorine level to ensure it is in the proper range prior to proceeding to step 2.
Instructions on how to dose: 2.5 oz per 10,000 gallons will lower the chlorine level by 1 ppm.
What happens if cyanuric acid in the pool is too high
When cyanuric acid levels in a pool are too high, it can reduce the effect of chlorine in that pool.
Algae and other bacteria will eventually find their way into the pool as high cyanuric acid decreases the response of chlorine to kill these bacteria.
The normal level for CYA should be 30-50 ppm and cyanuric acid levels should be tested regularly.
Does shock raise cyanuric acid?
Cyanuric acid is a chlorine stabilizer that acts like sunscreen protection after it forms a weak bond with the free chlorine in the pool water.
So, having known this, it is clear that shock does not contain cyanuric acid and therefore can not raise cyanuric acid levels.
Also, the free chlorine in the pool can burn off within two hours without the presence of cyanuric acid.
Does cyanuric acid evaporate?
No, cyanuric acid does not evaporate nor does it dissipate, it lingers and gathers in the pool water instead.
It is advised that there should be constant re-application of Trichlor and Di-Chlor products to re-sanitize the pool.
This process is effective but still has its downsides because it is the excessive application of cyanuric acid products that alters the chemical balance of the pool and causes the CYA levels to rise.
And, as CYA levels rise, the job of the chlorine in the pool.
Does cyanuric damage pool liner?
CYA, if settled in one particular area at the bottom and not circulated for an extended period of time, can damage your pool liner. It’s likely to rip it, make it wrinkle, and leak.
The chemical content or acidic pH found in cyanuric acid corrodes and damages fiberglass, vinyl, and fiberglass pools.
It is advised to circulate the pool pump for at least 24 hours after adding the stabilizer to keep it from harming your liner.
Cyanuric acid is a very delicate chemical, hence it has to be treated as such because any little mistake can cost you greatly.
What should cyanuric levels be in a pool?
The reason for the cyanuric acid is to stabilize and protect the chlorine in your pool; it serves as a sunscreen for it so that the ultraviolet rays coming from the sun do not destroy it.
The two important things to consider when balancing your CYA levels are;
- the amount of sunlight that reaches your pool.
- whether your pool uses a salt generator or not.
The amount of sunlight that reaches your pool is determined by the particular season. This will influence the balance that will be appropriate for your pool because the more sunlight that reaches your pool, the more it loses to free photolysis. With this condition, it is better, that the cyanuric levels be around 60 to 80 ppm.
Also, ensure that your chlorine level is set at a level between 4 and 5 ppm, as higher cyanuric acid levels reduce chlorine effectiveness.
Whether your pool uses a saltwater generator or not, it is advised that your CYA balance level be around 60 to 80 ppm, but if it’s not salt-generated, then 30-50 PPM is the appropriate level.
Also, if your pool is saltwater generated and exposed to a high amount of sun, the appropriate CYA levels will be up to 80-100 ppm.
Depending on your situation and region, you can determine the levels of cyanuric acid to apply to your pool.
Is cyanuric acid the same as muriatic acid?
Well, even though the two terms have the word acid in them, the answer is NO.
Cyanuric acid is mainly to stabilize and protect chlorine in the pool from UV rays. The chemical formula for cyanuric acid is CNOH.
Now, the purpose of muriatic acid is to reduce pH and alkalinity levels and clean stains and filters. The chemical formula for muriatic acid is HCI.
Does baking soda raise cyanuric acid?
Baking soda helps raise alkalinity in the pool but has minimal or no effect on raising the pool’s cyanuric acid level.
Is pool stabilizer the same as shock?
The answer is “no.” Although some granulated chlorine (shock) can contain a stabilizer added within its granules, the stabilizer is a different compound altogether. The stabilizer is mainly to stabilize and protect chlorine loss inside the pool from UV sun rays.
Often times you will find cyanuric acid together with chlorine. This does not mean the chlorine and the CYA are the same chemicals. It just means that the cyanuric acid was paired with the chlorine.
Both chemicals are paired for effectiveness reasons, as the CYA helps the chlorine function and perform effectively in killing the bacteria in the pool.
Can you swim with high cyanuric acid?
While cyanuric acid is important in helping chlorine kill bacteria, a high level of cyanuric acid does take away chlorine’s effect on killing bacteria, thus allowing algae and other harmful organisms to thrive in the water. Hence, it is not advisable to swim in a pool with high cyanuric acid.
Is pool stabilizer the same as baking soda?
No, baking soda’s main purpose is to raise the total alkalinity level of the pool and not stabilize or protect the chlorine from UV light, so they are both different.
Do chlorine tablets have cyanuric acid?
Chlorine comes in two different forms: stabilized and non-stabilized.
Stabilized chlorine tablets contain cyanuric acid, while those without stabilizers do not contain CYA.
There are two types of stabilized chlorine, sodium dichlor and trichlor.
Sodium dichlor is known for its near-neutral pH level of 6.5. This makes pH level fluctuations in the water less likely.
It can also be used as a shock treatment and is very effective at killing bacteria.
Trichlor is the preferred stabilized chlorine for pools. It has a low pH level of 3 and is 90% chlorine.
How often do you put a stabilizer in a pool?
Always use your test strips to check the chlorine stabilizer levels. If the level or number falls below 40 ppm, add a stabilizer.
Unless the season is an extremely hot one, the level will hardly decrease if you always maintain your pool’s chemicals.
