CYA, an abbreviation for cyanuric acid, is what you may have heard pool pros call the pool stabilizer, and.. It's a big deal when it comes to protecting your chlorine.
Its main job? Think of it like an umbrella for your chlorine! Shielding it from the UV rays so it may stay in the water longer and do its job. Without it, chlorine can burn off in just a few hours (especially on hot, sunny days).
But more isn’t always better.
Too much CYA can begin to reduce chlorine’s effectiveness, leading to:
- Cloudy water
- Algae growth
- Or, the feeling that you’re constantly adding chlorine with no results.
This is called "chlorine lock."
Ideal Levels
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Chlorine pools: 30–50 ppm
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Saltwater pools: 60–80 ppm
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Over 100 ppm? It’s definitely time to act.
How to Adjust CYA
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Low CYA: Add a stabilizer (cyanuric acid). It dissolves slowly, so give it time.
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High CYA: Unfortunately, the only real solution is to perform a drain and refill.