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How Do I Lower Cyanuric Acid (Stabilizer) in My Pool?

The only reliable way to lower cyanuric acid (stabilizer) is to replace some of the pool water. It does not burn off, evaporate, or filter out. To cut the level in half, you replace about half the water. Aim for 30 to 50 ppm, or 60 to 80 ppm for a salt pool. In Bakersfield, do a partial drain in spring or fall, not in summer heat, and switch some or all of your chlorine to liquid so it does not build back up.
Pentair variable-speed pool pump sold and installed by Top Dog Pool Supply in Bakersfield

Why does stabilizer get too high?

  • Chlorine tablets. Every tablet adds stabilizer as it dissolves.
  • Stabilized granular shock. Some granular chlorine adds it too.
  • A long season. Bakersfield pools use chlorine most of the year, so it adds up faster.
  • Evaporation. The water leaves and the stabilizer stays. Topping off does not lower it.

How do I know it is too high?

  • A test reads over about 80 to 100 ppm.
  • Algae keeps coming back even though chlorine tests in range.
  • You are using more and more chlorine to keep the pool clear.
  • The water turns cloudy or green soon after you stop shocking.

How do I lower stabilizer?

  • Step 1: Get an exact reading. Bring in a sample so you know how far you need to go.
  • Step 2: Work out how much water to replace. Going from 100 ppm to 50 ppm means replacing about half. Going from 80 to 50 means a little over a third.
  • Step 3: Call us before you drain. Never fully drain a pool in summer heat, and never when groundwater may be high. Plaster can crack, and a pool can shift or lift.
  • Step 4: Drain and refill in stages if you need to replace a lot. Do not let the pool sit empty.
  • Step 5: Run the pump for 24 hours after refilling, then bring in a new sample.
  • Step 6: Rebalance. Fresh fill water changes pH, alkalinity, and calcium too.

How do I keep it from building up again?

Use liquid chlorine for most of your chlorine, or alternate liquid and tablets, and check stabilizer every month or two. Liquid chlorine adds no stabilizer and no calcium. We carry HASA liquid chlorine in disposable containers and in a returnable 4-pack crate. If you use tablets, use fewer in winter, when the pool needs less chlorine.

Is there a chemical that removes cyanuric acid?

Products sold for this are hit or miss. Replacing water is the only method that works every time.

What happens if cyanuric acid is too high?

Chlorine gets weak and slow, so algae and cloudy water keep coming back even when chlorine tests fine.

What should my stabilizer level be?

30 to 50 ppm for most pools, and 60 to 80 ppm for salt pools.

Does backwashing lower stabilizer?

Only a little. Backwashing removes some water, and the fresh water you add dilutes it slightly. It is not enough to fix a high reading.

Don't cry, we can help

Bring a water sample to Top Dog Pool Supply. Local pool owners get a free water test on our Taylor Xpress Flex system, and we'll tell you what to add, and how much, for your pool's size. Visit us at 7440 District Blvd Suite B, Bakersfield, CA 93313, or call (661) 664-9000. We're open Monday to Friday 9 to 5, Saturday 9 to 4, and Sundays 10 to 4 from April through September.

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ADDRESS
7440 District Blvd Suite B Bakersfield, CA 93313
Phone: (661) 664-9000
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Bakersfield, CA, with Zip Codes 93301, 93304, 93305, 93306, 93309, 93311, 93312, 93313, and 93314 HOURS Mon–Fri: 9am–5pm Sat: 9am–4pm Sun: 10am–4pm (April–September)
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