Yes, most pools need conditioner (cyanuric acid) to protect chlorine from UV rays. Target 30-50 ppm for regular pools or 70-80 ppm for salt water pools.
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Yes, most outdoor pools need conditioner (cyanuric acid or CYA) to protect chlorine from being destroyed by UV rays. Without it, you'll use 3-5 times more chlorine and struggle to maintain proper sanitization. Target levels are 30-50 ppm for regular chlorine pools and 70-80 ppm for salt water generator pools.
Pool conditioner, also known as cyanuric acid (CYA) or stabilizer, acts as sunscreen for your chlorine. When UV rays hit chlorine molecules in your pool, they break them down rapidly - sometimes within hours on a bright sunny day. Conditioner forms a weak bond with chlorine molecules, creating "stabilized chlorine" that resists UV degradation while still maintaining its sanitizing power.
Without conditioner, you'd need to add chlorine multiple times daily during summer months, making pool maintenance expensive and frustrating. However, too much conditioner reduces chlorine effectiveness, creating its own set of problems.
There are specific situations where conditioner isn't necessary or beneficial:
Target range: 30-50 ppm. This provides adequate UV protection while maintaining chlorine effectiveness. At these levels, your free chlorine should be 2-4 ppm for proper sanitization according to the FC/CYA relationship.
Target range: 70-80 ppm. Salt water generators work more efficiently with higher CYA levels, and the constant chlorine production compensates for the slightly reduced effectiveness. Maintain free chlorine at 5-6 ppm with these CYA levels.
Target range: 30-50 ppm, though many spa owners prefer lower levels (20-30 ppm) due to higher temperatures and faster chemical reactions.
Use a Taylor K-2006C test kit for accurate CYA testing. Test strips are notoriously unreliable for cyanuric acid. The turbidity test in quality kits measures cloudiness when reagent is added - the cloudier the sample, the higher the CYA level.
Test CYA levels monthly during swimming season and after adding any stabilized chlorine products. Always test in shade and read results at eye level for accuracy.
Pure cyanuric acid dissolves very slowly and can damage pool surfaces if added improperly. Follow these steps:
Safety Warning: Never add conditioner directly to pool surfaces or through skimmer. Always pre-dissolve and add slowly with proper circulation.
CYA levels above 100 ppm create "chlorine lock" where even high chlorine levels can't effectively sanitize. The only fix is dilution through partial water replacement.
Dichlor and trichlor products contain CYA. Regular use will gradually increase conditioner levels beyond optimal ranges. Use liquid chlorine or cal-hypo for routine shocking once conditioner is established.
Many pool owners add conditioner without testing current levels, leading to over-stabilization. Always test before adding.
CYA doesn't evaporate or break down naturally, so levels remain stable unless diluted. During winter, conditioner protects any residual chlorine. In spring, test CYA before adding chemicals - you may not need additional conditioner.
If you partially drain your pool for winter or maintenance, recalculate conditioner needs based on fresh water percentage added.
A 25-pound bucket of cyanuric acid costs $60-80 and treats a 20,000-gallon pool for an entire season. Without it, you'd spend 3-5 times more on chlorine - potentially hundreds of dollars extra annually. The investment in proper conditioner levels pays for itself within weeks of summer swimming.
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