by The Importance of Proper Water Chemistry for Your Swimming Pool Cyanuric acid is a chemical you may use as a stabilizer for your chlorine but one that pool owners tend to forget. However, too much cyanuric acid can inhibit chlorine’s effectiveness and cause a slew of other pool problems. But if you’re facing elevated cyanuric acid levels, relax. In this blog, we’ll explore how to decrease the level of cyanuric acid in your pool, and how tools such as an automatic pool cleaner can facilitate this process.
What Is Cyanuric Acid and Why Should I Care?
Cyanuric acid — or pool stabilizer — is used to protect chlorine from the ultraviolet rays of the sun in outdoor pools. In the absence of cyanuric acid, chlorine would be consumed much more quickly by sunlight, requiring more frequent chemical treatment. Though it’s critical for the stability of chlorine, too high of a level of cyanuric acid in the pool can become an issue.
Elevated levels of cyanuric acid can inhibit the sanitizing power of chlorine, which will lead to your pool being more difficult to keep clean and safe for use. Cyanuric acid is best at a level between 30–50 parts per million (ppm), but levels above 100 ppm present problems. This is usually noted as a high level that needs immediate action.
What to Do to Lower Cyanuric Acid Levels in Your Pool
There are several options available to you if you need to lower your pool’s cyanuric acid levels. The best method is watering it down. Here’s how you can do it:
Drain and Refill Your Pool
The simplest method to lower cyanuric acid levels is to partially drain your pool and fill it with fresh water. This is especially beneficial if you have dangerously high cyanuric acid levels, greater than 100 ppm.
How to do it: Use your pool’s drainage system or a submersible pump to remove some of the pool water. Replace old water with fresh one (i.e. refill the pool) after draining it. Remember that you will want to test the water frequently so you know when you are getting to that desired cyanuric acid level.
Caveats: This method is effective but labor-intensive. It can also dilute other chemicals in the pool, so you might have to re-adjust your chlorine levels, pH, alkalinity, and other pool chemicals after refilling the water as well.
Use a Cyanuric Acid Reducer
However, some products can reduce cyanuric acid without requiring you to drain the pool. Those products have compounds that bind with cyanuric acid so they can be filtered out or neutralized and chemically neutralized. Certain brands have Cyanuric Acid Reducers or Stabilizer Removers that you can put on your pool and will be filtered with the system.
How to do it: Refer to the product label for guidance on the appropriate dose for your pool’s volume. Usually, you just dump the chemical into the pool, and it cycles through the system.
Considerations: I find these products tend to be convenient, but they usually are expensive and not necessarily the best option — they probably should not be seen as a replacement for “draining and refilling the pool,” especially if cyanuric acid levels are very high.
Increase Pool Circulation
If you are working on reducing the cyanuric acid levels in your pool, please make sure that the filtration system is operating as well. This is done by properly circulating water throughout your spa to help mix the chemicals used to sanitize the water and maintain proper water balance.
How to do it: Keep the pool circulating and clean with a pool vacuum or a robotic pool cleaner like the Beatbot AquaSense Pro. This will also help prevent debris builds up, which can lead to more cyanuric asaic.
Note: Circulation helps keep the pool clean and aids in even chemical storage, but will not directly reduce cyanuric acid levels. But combining it with other approaches does help.
How to Avoid a Build-up of Cyanuric Acid in the Future
Now that you have successfully reduced the cyanuric acid in your pool, the next step is to keep it from building up again. Here are some tips:
Use Stabilizer Sparingly
Knowing that this cyanuric acid helps to keep this chlorine away from the sun, but if you have too much, you can run into some problems. Always add the stabilizer after testing the water, and do not add it if it isn’t loomed.
Regular Pool Cleaning
Keep your pool clean and well-maintained as chemical buildup can lead to high cyanuric acid levels. That’s why investing in a robotic pool cleaner (like the Beatbot AquaSense or Beatbot iSkim Ultra) is a good option for providing your pool with primary upkeep and keeping it clear of dirt and leaves. A cleaner pool means less need for chemical treatments and fewer chances of chemical imbalances.
Test cyanuric acid levels regularly.
Regular testing is essential to ensure proper chemical levels. Invest in a trusted test kit or routinely take water samples to the local pool supply store so you can keep your cyanuric acid levels in the sweet spot.
Minimize the Use of Chlorine or Transition to Alternatives
If you consistently notice your cyanuric acid levels creeping up, you could consider using alternative chlorine products or lessening how much stabilizer you’re using. Some saltwater chlorination systems produce chlorine from natural salt and could reduce dependence on cyanuric acid.
Robotic Pool Cleaners – Maintenance in Your Swimming Pool
Also helping you keep your water chemistry in check, a robotic pool cleaner is key to keeping your pool clean. Pool cleaners, such as the Beatbot iSkim Ultra, are built to thoroughly clean your pool, scrubbing the walls, floor, and waterline and removing debris from the process.
Pool Cleaner: A swimming pool robot cleaner is absolutely great for cleaning regularly which promotes good circulation and filtration. The less debris that’s introduced to the pool, the less opportunity it has to alter the water chemistry, including raising the cyanuric acid level. What’s more, the reduction in chemical usage will help to balance pool health overall.
Final thought: Maintain your cyanuric acid levels
Preventing water from becoming excessively cyanuric acid-heavy is critical for crystal-clear water and optimal chlorine performance. Draining and refilling the pool, introducing a cyanuric acid reducer and increasing circulation all can help to reduce cyanuric acid levels.
A robotic pool cleaner like the Beatbot AquaSense Pro or Beatbot AquaSense—also provides an efficient and effective way to keep your pool conveniently clean regularly, optimizing bathtub condition to protect water balance. By keeping on top of your pool’s chemical levels and regular cleaning, you can ensure that your pool stays a safe, enjoyable spot for swimming in the summertime swim season without the worry of high cyanuric acid levels.
So, have more control over your pool’s health today and invest in the right tools to keep your pool sparkling clean!
