Adding Stabilizer to adjust CYA

[waltham41]

I have one of the walmart aboveground vinyl pools with the inflatable ring at the top. It is a 3800 gal pool. I did my first readings and they are not too bad, but my CYA is 0.

I am going to get some powdered stabilizer at wal mart today, instructions on container says to add it slowly to the skimmer but my question is I am going to have to add about a pound and a quarter, and last year that seemed to clog the filter up (filter is not very big on this pools pump) so bad that it would not let water pass through hardly at all. Is there a more effective way of doing this?

THanks!

[famdog]

You can simply mix it with water in a plastic pail first then add it.

[prh129]

The problem is I don't think it will dissolve that easily in a pail even with warm or hot water.

Some people put the CYA in an old sock (or nylon hose) and tie a knot to keep the CYA from coming back out then hang the sock in the pool so it will slowly dissolve.

Peter

[tphaggerty]

BUT, it all depends on what you are using to chlorinate your pool! If you are going to use ANY "stablized" chlorine (DiChlor, TriChlor, pucks etc), these will also add CYA, a little at a time. This CYA will add up pretty quickly in a small pool like that! If you are going to use bleach, then go ahead and add the CYA. If you are going to use Di- or TriChlor, I won't add the CYA, I would just let it build up over the summer (you will need test for FC/CC more). Assuming you empty and refill for next summer, you are golden.

(I use dichlor in my Softub - 300 gals - it is required to maintain the warranty. Last time I changed the water, I had a CYA level of over 400! That is from using a tablespoon of Dichlor 2 or 3 times a week).

[waltham41]

Thanks for the nylon hose idea, thats a good one. I plan to use plain 6% bleach in the pool, we are for sure on a budget here

Thanks for the help!