A few thoughts about CYA

[OddJob]

The pool is an above ground pool that holds ~21000 (I think it is 18'x39'). We had a pool party yesterday with ~12 swimmers and last night I added a gallon of bleach. I just tested it (the kids are already back in the pool) and FC=2 CC=0

Some stats: I'm in CA. Our elevation is ~3000'. We have a solar cover that we use every night; to get the water warm, to keep out the debris, and help keep the water level constant. I vacuum ~2 - 3 times a week. I run the filter (sand filter - 6way valve - if you need more details let me know, i'm not sure about the pump/filter) at night when I add the bleach and turn it off before bed.

Any other thoughts/questions?

[aylad]

According to my calculations, 1 gallon of 6% bleach in your pool should take you to about 3 ppm chlorine. Have you ever tested it again in the morning before the sun hits it to see what your residual is? Do you ever add bleach again during the day?

Janet

[OddJob]

I haven't tested it in the am before the sun hits it, but I will and post the results. I do not add bleach until the evening, when we are done for the day.

I don't know the cost saving measures (yet) because in the previous years we were pool-stored and bought $$ chlorine there. So, compared to previous years we are saving money just by buying bleach at WalMart.

I will have to add CYA soon because of our vacation. I'd like to swim for perhaps a month more, but it won't be daily since the kids go back to school right after vacation and it will start cooling off at night. We are spoiled by our warm water!

I haven't had to add the other two B's, yet. Just bleach so far.

[waterbear]

I haven't had to add the other two B's, yet. Just bleach so far.

If you are staying with unstabilized chlorine such as bleach you will need very little baking soda since unstabilized chlorine and lower TA is a more pH stable combination. Also, you would probably never need borax unless you actually overdose on acid when lowering your pH (unless you decide to add 50 ppm borates to your water for their algaestatic and pH control benefits, but that is a whole different thing).
The chemicals you are most likely to need are
Acid (either muriatic or dry)
Bleach (for chlorination and shocking)
CYA (stabilizer)

Just goes to show that pool care is REALLY as easy as ABC!

[OddJob]

Just goes to show that pool care is REALLY as easy as ABC!

I agree!

I'm somewhat tempted to ask my parents to come by the house and add some bleach when we are gone and run the filter. And *not* add CYA ... what do you guys think? (I don't add bleach everyday ... if we aren't swimming, I'll check it at night and only add it if necessary. I haven't kept track, but it seems if we aren't swimming, I haven't had to add bleach). Therefore, if the keep an eye on it and add bleach every other day or so ...????

[Watermom]

Sure. Why not. I can't imagine how you aren't losing all your chlorine to the sun every day. That is strange to me.

[aylad]

It's strange to me too, that you aren't losing all your chlorine to the sun, but if it's worked for you so far, then I don't see any reason to "fix what ain't broke". If they can add the bleach at the same frequency that you do, then I don't see where the pool will know the difference............

Janet

[gordyjamz]

Hi there, I originally started this thread last week. I was thinking of trying no CYA next year after a full drain/refill after liner replacement. I was talking to a friend of mine down in AZ yesterday, and he was telling me I should consider bromine. He said he uses it and has had far less problems than when he had chlorine. He also said that bromine doesn't require stabilizer, and that CYA has no inhibiting factors to it. I told him that I thought they only use that stuff on spas and jacuzzis. HE said they do, but a lot of people use it for pools also. Would this be an alternative to bleach? Maybe just another crazy idea poppin in my head, as I am skeptical about it. Any thoughts?


Ken

[chem geek]

I'm somewhat tempted to ask my parents to come by the house and add some bleach when we are gone and run the filter. And *not* add CYA ... what do you guys think?

As I posted before, you should have SOME CYA in the water, even if it's a low 20 or 30 ppm amount. Not having any CYA at all in a chlorine pool is bad on several counts. Not only will the chlorine break down in sunlight quickly, but it will be too strong unless you keep the level very, very low and that is pretty much impossible to do without automated dosing equipment and even then it's hard to maintain anything lower than 0.5 ppm FC reliably. So again, please add at least a small amount of CYA to the water.

[gordyjamz]

Thanks for the info on the bromine. I really don't have an aversion to CYA, just am curious, really. Like I said earlier, if it ain't broke don't fix it. I will probably land up going back to my current levels after the refill in spring, since it's what's been working for some years now. Though maybe a little lower on the CYA (currently at 40). Maybe shoot for 20 or 30. What did they do in the old days before CYA? Must've had to check levels every few hrs during the day, is my guess. Anyways, thanks for bearing with my inquiries and maybe crazy ideas

Ken