You’ve decided to use a salt system in your swimming pool. I don’t blame you – there are many advantages. You can say goodbye to the “chlorine smell,” the stinging eyes and the itchy skin (among other things).
It is important to understand, however, that there are differences in the way you care for and maintain your salt water pool (as compared to how you maintain a traditional pool system). One particular area where this is true is when it comes to stabilizer (Cyanuric Acid or CYA).
As you know, CYA is a granular chemical added to the pool water which provides a shield to chlorine for protection from UV radiation. CYA is extremely important to creating and maintaining healthy, clean and clear swimming pool water (plus using it properly can save you hundreds of dollars!)
If you don’t have any CYA in your pool, the sun causes the chlorine to disappear within an hour or two. If you have too much CYA, it inhibits the chlorine and it can’t do its job. The key is to strike a balance between those two extremes.
Where that balance is, and how much CYA to use, is different for a traditional system than it is for a salt system. And if you have a salt system, you need to be aware of the appropriate levels of CYA that you need to maintain.
Specifically, when you have a salt system you need to have a higher level of CYA than you do with a traditional system. If your CYA level is too low with a salt system, then the sunlight will burn up the chlorine and the saltwater system will not be able to keep up with the demand.
Okay, so now we know that the level needs to be higher, but how high should the level be? Remember that the purpose of CYA in the water is to help keep the chlorine from being so quickly dissipated by UV rays. Keeping the CYA at a level of 60-80 ppm is usually good for achieving that.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
terry for years i’ve been trying to purchase some of your pool guides. i have a problem constantly with paypal. tell me how i can mail you a check for your products so i can purchase as needed. thanks for the help. jack r.
@ Jack,
I just sent you an email.
Terry