No CYA - How to raise it?

[mortimay]

How do I determine what my CYA should be? I see where some keep their's higher than others. If using granular, can yous till swim while it's dissolving?

[AnnaK]

Use the Pool Calculator to figure out how much CYA you need to add. You're shooting for something between 30 and 50 ppm. One of our moderators who lives in the South and has full sun on her pool uses 80 ppm (I think). Yes, you can swim while it's dissolving.

[aylad]

Anna's right, I would shoot for around 30-40 at first, but only add about 1/2 the dose, then test in 4-5 days, and add more if you need it. CYA is one of those levels that you want to sneak up on, not overshoot and have to drain water! Once you get to the 30-40 range, see if you're able to maintain adequate chlorine levels through the day. If not, you might need to increase it a little, but the bottom line is that the "right" amount of stabilizer depends on your pool. I do keep mine in the 80-90 range, but I'm in a very hot, humid climate with full sun on my pool all day. Without that high level, I can't keep chlorine in the pool--but the down side is that I have to maintain higher chlorine levels than those with lower CYA in order to keep my pool clear. It's a tradeoff.

Janet

[Watermom]

If you decide to add it to the skimmer and let it dissolve in the filter, which is what I do, run the pump 24/7 for 4-5 days afterwards. Do NOT broadcast it across the pool like some containers tell you to. You don't want CYA granules sitting on your liner. And, to answer your question -- yes, it is safe to swim after CYA is added.