You may already know that swimming pool chlorine levels need to be adjusted regularly, but balancing cyanuric acid levels is equally important. Cyanuric acid is often sold as a conditioner or strengthener because it prevents the weakening of chlorine from the sun. Use a device or test strip designed to measure cyanuric acid levels so you can determine the amount of acid you need to add to your pool. To drastically increase the cyanuric acid levels in your pool, dilute the powdered version of cyanuric acid with the liquid version. You can also include stable chlorine for pool maintenance.
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Part 1 of 2: Testing Cyanuric Acid Levels
Step 1. Plan to test the water at least once a week
Because cyanuric acid needs to be balanced with other chemicals in the pool, you should check this balance weekly. For example, maybe the cyanuric acid level in the pool is within normal levels, but the chlorine level is not.
Step 2. Retest the water after defrosting
If your pool doesn't have a cover and it's raining, the cyanuric acid will dilute and become ineffective. Don't forget to check the cyanuric acid level if the pool water is diluted.
You can test your cyanuric acid level as often as you want. If you believe the pool balance level is not correct, test the cyanuric acid level again even if it has not been a week since the last test
Step 3. Use a test strip
Purchase a strip that is chemically designed to detect cyanuric acid. Keep in mind that most common test kits are only capable of testing chlorine and pH levels so you may need to look for a more sophisticated test kit. Dip the test strip into the pool water for 30 seconds and compare the colors on the strips with the colors on the chart provided in the package. That way, you can find out the cyanuric acid level in the pool.
Test strips can be purchased online or at a lab supply store, or at a pool supply store
Step 4. Consider using a liquid turbidity testing device
Some test kits include a small container for taking a water sample. Add the powder solution and stir the container until the powder dissolves in the water. Wait for 1-3 minutes and fill the sample cells with untested pool water. When the time comes, fill the other sample cells with the tested pool water. Now you can compare test results with untested samples. Use the chart that came with the device to determine the cyanuric acid level of the pool.
If you don't want to test your pool water yourself, fill a container with pool water and take it to a pool supply store to have it tested there. A minimum of 30 ml of water must be taken
Step 5. Determine if you need to add cyanuric acid to the pond
Cyanuric acid levels in pools should be between 30 and 50 bpd, although some say it will be more effective closer to 80 bpd. Remember, the higher the cyanuric acid level, the weaker the chlorine.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that cyanuric acid levels do not exceed 100 ppm
Part 2 of 2: Entering Cyanuric Acid
Step 1. Purchase cyanuric acid
Purchase powdered or liquid cyanuric acid from a pool supply store. Please note that if you buy online, you will need to order in bulk.
Step 2. Adjust the chlorine level, alkalinity and pH, if needed
If you need to adjust other chemicals in the pool water, start by adjusting the levels of freely available chlorine. Then, add the chemical to adjust the total alkalinity and correct the pH level before adding the cyanuric acid. Wait for 3 hours and test the cyanuric acid level again.
Step 3. Calculate the amount of cyanuric acid that needs to be added
Follow the manufacturer's user manual for cyanuric acid to determine how much cyanuric acid you need to add. You need to know how many liters of water the pool can hold and the amount of bpj (parts per million) of cyanuric acid that needs to be included.
For example, if you need 10 bpj of additional cyanuric acid in a 37,850 liter (10,000 gallon) pool of water, the required amount of acid is 2 kg
Step 4. Dissolve powdered cyanuric acid in warm water
If you are using powdered cyanuric acid, fill a 20 liter bucket half full with warm water. Pour in the cyanuric acid and let sit for at least 10 minutes until it dissolves. Water can be poured into the pool when the acid has dissolved.
Don't forget to wear goggles and protective gloves when handling cyanuric acid
Step 5. Pour the cyanuric acid powder or liquid into the pool
Put the cyanuric acid solution directly into the pool water, instead of in the filter tanks, skimmers or gutters. If so, check the pH of the pool and adjust it if necessary.
Wait until no one is using the pool before adding cyanuric acid. The pool can be used again for swimming when 2-4 hours have passed, or the pool filter has done a complete cycle
Step 6. Use stabilized chlorine if the cyanuric acid level is only slightly elevated
If the increase in cyanuric acid levels is insignificant (less than 10 bpj), buy stabilized chlorine. These tablets or bars are chlorine combined with cyanuric acid. Follow the manufacturer's user guide to determine the number of tablets or rods that need to be inserted into the pool.
- Stabilized chlorine is great for maintaining pool cyanuric acid levels because it doesn't drastically change acid levels.
- Don't forget to check the chlorine level for a few days after adding the stabilized chlorine.
Step 7. Turn on the pool pump for a few hours
The pool pump needs to continue running for 2-4 hours after the cyanuric acid has been introduced. The pump will move the water so that the cyanuric acid spreads evenly in the pool.
