Different types of CYA??

[drako4]

Hi,

We have a new 12 x 30" Intex pool for our guys. I plan on following the BBB method with my Taylor test kit. The pool does not have a skimmer. I was advised by a pool store that the particular type of CYA that they carry has to be put into a sock in the skimmer. Should I be looking for a different type or is there even such a thing.

Thanks in advance.
Carrie

[CarlD]

Hi Cary!

First thing: CYA is CYA--ultimately all the same in your pool. But there are 4 ways to get it there:

1) Add powdered CYA. This normally goes in the skimmer or in a sock near the drain. Since few Intex pools have skimmers, you put it near the drain. It can take from 2 days to 2 weeks to dissolve.

2) Tri-Chlor Tablets or powder. Tri-Chlor is form of chlorine, usually sold as tablets, that you put in a floating dispenser, an in-line chlorinator, or in the skimmer you don't have...as it dissolves it adds chlorine AND CYA to your water--it also lowers pH as it's very acid.

3) Di-Chlor Powder. Di-Chlor is similar to Tri-chlor although it's almost always sold as a powder. This, too, chlorinates your pool and adds CYA more than Tri-Chlor. It also lowers your pH, but not as much.

4) Liquid stabilizer. This is a VERY new and VERY expensive product. Those here who have tested it have liked it for its rapid distribution into the water. I've not seen or used it, yet.

If you very high pH, you could use either Tri-Chlor or Di-Chlor and you'll get CYA with it. Or you could just buy CYA and use that.

Hope this helps.

[waterbear]

I used to sell the intex pools and recommended starting them with a set amount of dichlor as a fast and easy way to get the CYA up to speed and then switching to liquid chlorine (bleach). Dichlor is extremely fast dissolving and raises the CYA 9 ppm for every 10 ppm of chlorine added. Given the ease and speed of this method it is relatively cost effective.
The easy set (donut) 12 x 30 pools holds about 1500 gallons while the metal frame holds a bit less than 1700 so if you decide to go this route you would need to chlorinate with dichlor granules until you have used a pound total and then switch to bleach. Once the pound of dichlor has been used your CYA will be in the neighborhood of 40 ppm and within the recommended range of 30-50 ppm. If you find that the pH is dropping from the dichlor then add between 1/4 to 1/4 cup borax to bring it back up. Safest way is 1/4 cup at a time, wait a day ,and retest pH.

EDIT: almost forgot, 1 tablespoon dichlor (1/2 oz.) will raise the FC in this size pool about 1 ppm for the metal frame and closer to 1.5 ppm for the easy set. Not exact but close enough for government work!

[drako4]

Hi,

Thanks CarlD and Waterbear... Very useful info for the newbie. I have an Intex metal frame that holds 1718 gal at 90% capacity. With the dichlor, since it is a powder, do I still have to do the sock method near the drain or can it go directly into the pool? Pardon me, if some of my questions seem silly. As stated before, we figured this was an okay way of seeing if the pool thing was something that I could actually do! I have no idea.

Cheers
Carrie

[CarlD]

It depend on how much Di-Chlor you add. However, while your chlorine will go up and down as it's used up, your CYA won't go down until you drain your pool. CYA doesn't get used up.

[drako4]

Hi,

Since the pool has no water in it yet, do I have to wait till all of the numbers are where they should be before boys can go in? I will test the water prior to filling and post numbers to see what I need to do..

Many thanks,
Carrie

[Watermom]

No. If it is a fresh fill, it should be clean and fine for them to get in. But, get some chlorine in there ASAP. I know they will be anxious to get in so let them in. EXCEPT if the pool sits for a day or two in hot sun with no chlorine, then I would NOT let them get in. It doesn't take long for trouble to start brewing in an unchlorinated pool on hot sunny days.

[drako4]

Hi,

Thanks for weighing in Watermom.. Just came back from pool store. I purchased a product called Boom by Sani-Marc. It is stabalized chlorinating granules that is fast acting with neutral ph. Not suppose to effect PH levels. I was told that I could put directly in the pool and they would dissolve fast. I guess once I use this as per Waterbears post, then I would make the switch to the bleach? Contents of product:
Sodium Dicloro-s- Triazinetroine 100% and available chlorine content 62%.

Carrie

[waterbear]

Hi,

Thanks for weighing in Watermom.. Just came back from pool store. I purchased a product called Boom by Sani-Marc. It is stabalized chlorinating granules that is fast acting with neutral ph. Not suppose to effect PH levels. I was told that I could put directly in the pool and they would dissolve fast. I guess once I use this as per Waterbears post, then I would make the switch to the bleach? Contents of product:
Sodium Dicloro-s- Triazinetroine 100% and available chlorine content 62%.

Carrie

That is dichlor...use only 1 lb total over the next weeks to maintain the FC at about 3ppm then switch to bleach. Once you have used one lb of the dichlor your CYA should be perfect. You can just broadcast the granules over the water, it will be dissolved before it hits the bottom.
It actually can have a slight effect on pH because it is very slightly acidic and the reaction when chlorine gets used is acidic. Therefore, the net effect of using it is acidic. Once you switch to bleach you still have the acidic reaction of the chlorine but the bleach is alkaline and so the net effect is bascially pH neutral.

[waterbear]

Hi,

Thanks CarlD and Waterbear... Very useful info for the newbie. I have an Intex metal frame that holds 1718 gal at 90% capacity.

Cheers
Carrie

Most pools are not filled to 90% which is why I said a bit less than 1700 gal.
100% would be to the very top and most pools are filled to about 6" below. 90% would be 3" below the top.