Information, please?

[TX Daisy]

Thanks for all the info, everyone. I'm wondering how the CYA figured in with the regimen we've followed for the past 10 years. We have been using BioGuard's 3-step chemical program since the pool was built. This consists of 1)"SmartSticks" chlorine; 2) "Burnout" shock and 3) "Back-Up" algicide. None of these products list CYA as an ingredient, so maybe they use a different stabilizer?? Ack! I'm so corn-fused! We have a pool store test kit that does 5 or 6 drop tests but as far as I can tell CYA isn't one of them. Another $40 down the drain. Are there other types of stabilizer besides CYA? Will a pool-store test tell CYA results? I'll have to order the test kit from Pool Solutions asap.

Except for the trips to the pool store over the years, we have had fairly good results with the BioGuard treatment. Since our pool is small the chemicals don't really cost a lot. Unfortunately last year they changed the formula for the "Burnout" and it doesn't dissolve very well. In fact, it just lies in the bottom of the pool for a few days looking grainy and aggravating, after it has clogged the DE filter and raised the pump pressure 6 or 7 pounds until it finally dissolves. This poor performance is what made me start looking around for a better solution and here I am. Pouring liquid bleach into the system will be a huge improvement over the granulated Burnout.