Comments for High TA, CYA, Low FAC and Trying To Understand This All!!!

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Jul 07, 2015
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High CyA
by: First Year Pool Owner

Is partially draining the pool the only way to balance the cya? Our level is approximately 250-260 ppm right now.... Is it safe to swim in?

Thanks for the question. Chlorine's effectiveness is dependent upon the CYA. 50ppm CYA seems extreme as most dependable test kits can only test to 100ppm, and some may go as high as 120ppm. If you've been using dichlor or trichlor granular chlorine you must stop. This may be the reason the CYA is that high. The best remedy for high CYA is a drain and refill. In your case it'll need to be a full refill.

CYA is different than muriatic acid. MA is very caustic and will burn while CYA simply helps the chlorine hold better in the sun and heat. All things being considered the pool would be safe to swim but I'd suspect your chlorine's effectiveness is non-existent. I'd encourage you to do a full drain/refill and start over once again.

If you feel your situation is more complex than this, I do phone and/or SKYPE consultations. It makes things go much faster and many people have found it extremely beneficial, saving them time and money in the long run. All your questions will be answered. I have nothing to sell you so you know I'm not bias. If you purchase a personal phone consult you'll get all 3 eBooks for free.

Pool Consultation

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How To Clear Up A Green Pool eBook

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Hope this helps and have a great Summer.

Robert

Apr 24, 2015
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Thank you!
by: myra, SA texas

Robert, Thank you so much for your advice and your sharing your knowledge/expertise. After constant googling and online research, all of your advice seem to sincerely come from a place to help people manage their pools, safely, most economically, and wisely. You are genuine in your desire to help and break it all down in a simple, understandable way. I truly appreciate that! My CYA is still high, BUT we will be draining the pool, have some calls out to recommended certified pool people. I will recommend your site, to everyone I know and darn I wish you lived in San Antonio!!!! :)

Apr 20, 2015
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HIGH TA (not anymore), low FAC (not anymore), but.... even higher CYA than I originally thought! :(
by: Anonymous

Hi Robert! Thank you for your prompt response! Im the overwhelmed pool owner, in San Antonio "High TA, CYA ... no longer low FAC" Trying to not throw up my hands in defeat. I went back to a pool store that is able to read CYA over 100 these are my readings: This was after some draining of the pool yesterday and running the filter all night.

FAC 10
TAC 10
CH 430
CYA 300 (UGH!!)
TA 120
PH 7.8
copper/Iron 0
TDS 800
PHO 500

I know you advised on a 1/2 drain, with my 9440 gallon pool and the CYA being 300 (not 100) do I have to drain the whole pool? How? I guess I will research how to safely drain. The CA is 430 does that matter? I don't have a heater FYI. I know you mentioned this was easy to fix, I feel scared to drain my pool, do I backwash and drain? the readings are so different from my original post. FYI I ordered the Taylor kit your recommended, cuz I WILL master the balancing of my pool! I sooooo appreciate your sharing your advise.

Thanks for the follow up. I would advise you to get a qualified pool tech to drain your pool. Get a written detailed contract if something does go wrong. It is risky but there are ways to mitigate the risks. 300 CYA is just way too high. A complete drain and refill is in order. The tech will do a drain either by WASTE on the multiport valve or use a submersible pump. Many of them can push 50 gallons per minute so your pool can be drained in about 3.5 - 4 hours.

It's good that you're getting the Taylor K-2006 kit. Go to my YouTube, Clean Pool & Spa, channel. I have detailed videos that show how to take all the tests.

The question says "CA" but I will assume that means CH for calcium hardness. 430ppm is a bit high. The range is 150 - 250ppm. If your fill water is hard there's really nothing you can do about it short of getting pool water trucked in. You can keep the pH at 7.2 -7.4 to reduce the chances of getting a calcium ring around the water line. This keeps the water a bit more acidic. And DON"T use calcium hypochlorite for chlorine. As the name implies, it's calcium and you don't want to add more to the water. Use liquid chlorine.

Don't throw your hands up. Once you have the new water in the pool it'll be just a matter of days before you're swimming again. And remember I'm available for consultations as well. Due to the amount of questions I receive this time of year it may take a couple of days to get back to you.

Pool Consultation

Robert

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