How To Test Pool Stabilizer (Cyanuric Acid)

How To Test Pool Stabilizer (Cyanuric Acid)

This guide shows how to test your swimming pool’s stabilizer (cyanuric acid, CYA) level. Cyanuric Acid is chlorine’s sunscreen, preventing its burnoff when exposed to the Sun.

The Effects of CYA Imbalance

  • Not Enough – The pool’s chlorine is exposed to the sun’s UV rays, causing chlorine burnoff. Burnoff drops active chlorine levels in your pool.
  • Too Much – It acts as a barrier, preventing active chlorine from attaching to and acting bacteria and other organic material in the pool. Can cause Chlorine Lock.

What the Ideal CYALevel for My Pool?

  • Traditional Chlorine Pools – 30 – 60 ppm
  • Saltwater Pools – 60 – 80 ppm

What’s Needed to Test My Pool’s CYA Level?

Most basic pool test kits will include a stabilizer tab on their strips. To guarantee the accuracy of your test results, we recommend using Pentair Stabilizer Test Kit or Taylor Water Test Kit – K2005

How To Test Pool Stabilizer

  1. Fill test tube to Line-A with pool water.
  2. Pour the testing solution into the test tube, up to Line-B
  3. Miz test sample using the  plunger attachment
  4. Pull the plunger to the top to see the black dot on the end of the dipstick.
  5. Slowly lower the plunger while watching the black dot. Stop lowering the plunger once you can no longer see the black dot.
  6. Using the sample as the marker, read the plunger’s CYA scale for your test results.
  7. Adjust CYA level as needed. Then, use Inyo’s Cyanuric Acid Calculator to determine the amount for your pool size.
    • Guide on lowering CYA levels – Lowering Your CYA Without Draining
    • Raise your CYA by slowly pouring into your skimmer while the pump runs. Do not dump the CYA into your skimmer because this can clog your plumbing and equipment.

Do you have any topics you’d like covered in our Pool Care Basics series? If so, feel free to leave a comment down below with any questions you’d like answered.

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