Cyanuric Acid

[aylad]

First time I"ve heard of it....but my pool is very rarely calm so it wouldn't matter!

Janet

[waterbear]

I slightly remember years ago I read somewhere that if the pool is calm for a while that the CYA will "float" to the top and then you can remove that water, e.g. via the skimmer, thus removing a higher concentration of CYA. Also I believe that the article/post/whatever it was suggested siphoning off the top while having a water hose in the bottom of the pool slowly adding water and "pushing" the higher concentration CYA water towards the siphon.

About a year ago a co-worker told me a pool store guy verified the idea that the CYA will stratify in a calm pool and that to remove the most CYA let the pool settle and then remove the water from the top.

I have been meaning to test my water with the pump running for the "normal" cya level and then after letting the pool sit overnight test the water from a couple inches and then a couple of feet down to see if there is any difference.

Anybody else hear anything similar to this?

I have heard that and I have also heard the opposite, that it sinks to the bottom and it is removed by shutting off the skimmers and opening the main drain. I have heard these conflicting stories at product trainings put on by manufacturers that I attended.

BTW! I can tell stories about some of the slight of hand "demos" that I've seen at these too, like the one that 'proved' that MPS makes chlorine 'reappear in the water --glass of tap water which will have chlorine, add OTO so it turns yellow, stick in finger which uses up the chlorine so water turns colorless, add a pinch of MPS (non chlorine shock) and yellow returns but NOT because the chlorine reappeared ad the trainer (who was president of this particular product company!) said but because OTO will turn yellow in the presence of any oxidizer and is not specific for chlorine!)

Is it any wonder that many pool stores give out so much misinformation? Most of what they learn about water chemistry comes from 'trainings' like this!

Getting back to CYA, both are false. Once CYA dissolves it exists as an ionic species in the water and will be evenly distributed as cyanuate ion through out the water. It's basic chemistry!

[Sue225]

My pool liner is puckering like crazy and idea why? I read somewhere that damage can be done to the liner if Ph is too low. Mine was 6.? for a week or so. Do you think it will last through the summer?

Thanks in advance.

[aylad]

pH getting too low WILL pucker the liner--is it on the sides, or has it started on the bottom? I would measure your pH and adjust it to 7.2-7.8, ASAP--as far as how long it will last, I have no idea--depends on whether any water has gotten behind it, in what shape the seams are, etc. You'll just have to adjust your water chemistry and hope for the best!

Janet

[Sue225]

ph has been 7.5 since I started this thread, than to you folks. The puckering is only on the sides. We also patched a hole at the top of the liner this year.
Ph 7.5
Alk 130
Chlorine 8
can't measure cc because I am waiting for more regeant to arrive. I ordered the wrong stuff instead of 0871 I ordered R-0002 DPD Reagent #2!
Water looks great!

[Sue225]

PS I got my cya down to 85-90!!

[aylad]

PS I got my cya down to 85-90!!

Yay!!

Now at least it should be more manageable. Your other numbers look good to me--hope your liner holds the rest of the season!!

Janet

[Sue225]

After lots of rain and vacuuming to waste then refilling, my CYA is down to 50!!
Last night I vacuumed to waste and cleaned the bottom of the pool, backwashed, then shut the pump off. This AM the pool was crystal clear with nothing at the bottom of pool. After 2 hours of filtering this AM I noticed the brown stuff gathering again. So, I am thinking that the problem is the filter. I am going to add DE this PM or, do you think I should flock?
You people are the best! I don't think in all the years I have owned a pool, my pool has been better balanced and beautiful! Thanks again

[aylad]

You can always add a little DE if you want--just enough to make the pressure rise by 1 ppm--and it may help filter out smaller stuff. Don't forget that the pressure rise takes a few minutes though, so add it slowly.

I don't think adding floc is going to help--it is designed to make smaller particles that won't settle to the bottom stick together so it will settle. Sounds like yours is settling fine, so there's no need for the floc.

Good job getting the CYA down to 50--now just maintain your chlorine in the 3-6 ppm range. Actually, I would keep it on the upper end of that, but it should be easier to maintain your pool now.

Janet

[CarlD]

You can always add a little DE if you want--just enough to make the pressure rise by 1 ppm--and it may help filter out smaller stuff. ...

Janet

Janet means 1 psi, not 1 ppm. (Pound/square inch, not parts per million).