How to add CYA?

[mphare]

I know there is a thread that discusses this, but I can't find it.

I need to add several lbs of CYA to my pool (running at 0 at the moment)

It's a power.. do I broadcast it onto the pool surface?
Do I put it in a skimmer?
Do I mix it in a bucket of pool water first?

[CarlD]

OK.
CYA takes a LONG time to dissolve, but the easiest way to add it is backwash (if you have a sand filter) then add it to the skimmer. Let it take up to a week to dissolve in.

As for the amount to add: When you calculate the amount you need add 1/3 of that amount. The reason? It's MUCH easier to add CYA if you are still too low than to get rid of CYA if you go too high. It's better to take 3 installments to reach your target than to go past it in by adding the CYA all in one swell foop.

You'll thank me.

[mphare]

I have a DE filter and just did a backwash and filter maintenance last weekend.
I agree to add it slowly. I'm starting with just 1 lb and will add it about a lb a week until I'm at my target (about 80 ppm or so).

Thanks!

[caustik]

A couple threads on the topic.

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?p=6645


http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=5377

[waste]

Mike, Hi

I found this thread which covers adding cya. I suppose I could have linked another post with my 'method' of ascertaining how much cya to add - but it's probably easier for me to just say the when I add cya to a SWCG pool I tie it to the salt - 1 lb cya/ 100 lbs salt gets you to 30 - 40 ppm , if you're shooting for 60 - 80 ppm cya, add 1 lb/ 50 lbs salt. If you know how much salt you originally added to the pool to put you in the 2800 - 3200 range, you'll know ~ how much cya to add to get it where you want it to be. (& you'll also know how much to add when you need to raise the salt)

[chem geek]

If you put the Cyanuric Acid (CYA) in pantyhose in the skimmer basket, be sure to keep the pump running 24/7 until it all dissolves (which will take a while). CYA is about as acidic as Trichlor (pound for pound -- CYA is slightly more acidic) so if the pump isn't running and the CYA dissolves during that time, then there will be a locally high concentration of acid that will flow through your system when the pump turns on. It will be brief, but generally it is safer to either keep the pump on the whole time or to put the pantyhose in front of a return jet in the pool. Perhaps this is overkill since CYA takes so long to dissolve, but Trichlor also takes days to dissolve and we know that damage has been caused by Trichlor in the skimmer basket unless the pump is always running.

Pat's option (the first link caustik put in above) of putting the pantyhose over a return jet makes the dissolving go faster (24 hours) and is safer with regards to the acidity.

There are other options for adding CYA to the pool. There is a quick-dissolving and fairly pH neutral formulation of a CYA salt called "Instant Pool Water Conditioner" made by "Natural Chemistry" and may be seen at this link. I've never used it, but I've been in communication with the chemist who developed it so it's certainly an alternative (it's a sodium salt of CYA in a slurry). Another alternative is to use Dichlor since that is also quick-dissolving. Of course, that also increases FC, but chlorine is something you need to add every day anyway so doing a "shock" with Dichlor is one way to add a lot of CYA relatively quickly. I haven't checked comparative prices for these options.

Richard

[Poconos]

Since I use trichlor pucks when I need to add CYA, and also get the chlorine, I have smashed up pucks with a small hand sledge hammer They pulverizes easily. Take the powder and dump it in the skimmer and the sand filter traps it and it dissolves very quickly. A few hours. You may be able to dissolve it in a bucket of warm water and do it faster yet. With a DE filter I'd try the bucket to prevent spots of high acid concentration from damaging the filter grids. Also, when you pulverize the puck place it between sheets of newspaper or plastic or something and clean off the hammer right away if any powder gets on it, or it will rust. Obviously wear protective gloves and eye protection. To repeat, I do this with my sand filter and have not heard of anyone trying it with a DE filter.
Al

[eljefe281]

I would like to tip my cap to PatL34. His method of adding CYA is outstanding.

From one chemical engineer to another, I thank you.

[jagwire22]

Will large amounts of CYA granules destroy your liner. I made the mistake of dumping CYA in through my skimmer before reading these great posts, I now have lots of granules on the bottom of my pool.

Thanks for your input!!

[waterbear]

There are other options for adding CYA to the pool. There is a quick-dissolving and fairly pH neutral formulation of a CYA salt called "Instant Pool Water Conditioner" made by "Natural Chemistry" and may be seen at this link. I've never used it, but I've been in communication with the chemist who developed it so it's certainly an alternative (it's a sodium salt of CYA in a slurry). Another alternative is to use Dichlor since that is also quick-dissolving. Of course, that also increases FC, but chlorine is something you need to add every day anyway so doing a "shock" with Dichlor is one way to add a lot of CYA relatively quickly. I haven't checked comparative prices for these options.

Richard

Richard, Did the chemist tell you why the product is not approved for use in California? (Then again California also does not allow borates in swimming pools so maybe they just are a bit too strict out there!)

Edit: Don't get me wrong. NaturalChemistry makes some excellent products! Their enzyme based products work very well. I have found that their EDTA based metal remover does not prevent stains from returning in a fiberglass pool as well as phosphinic acid based products such as Jack's Magic or Proteam's Metal Magic. Not trying to hijack the thread. Just want more info on the NaturalChemistyr stabliizer!