A New Technique to Eliminate Pool Cyanuric Acid

In the past couple of years, if you’ve been keeping up with the news on the pool industry, you might have encountered a few things on cyanuric. This includes the required levels of cyanuric to maintain the pool safe and what transpires when the levels are too high and cause problems. We are familiar with suggestions like diluting or even draining and refilling as a way to eliminate pool cyanuric acid. However, did you know there was an alternative method without the need to drain your pool? Draining and refilling tons of pool water may not be a problem to some, though this method is appreciable to those with water restrictions or those all about conservation.

A year ago, at the IPSPE in New Orleans, Rudy Stankowitz pronounced a pool cyanuric acid removal technique from a swimming pool centered on his study. He presented on the use of Aluminum Sulfate, or Alum, a coagulation agent responsible for water purification. The agent eliminates some cyanuric (CYA) out of the pool water in the coagulation process. Moreover, it minimizes phosphates and gets rid of any other microscopic impurities.

Process and outcome of eliminating pool cyanuric acid

Alum-CYA elimination method:

1. Regulate the pH to 7.0.

2. Alter the Total Alkalinity to 80-120 ppm, Water Temperature to 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit, Calcium Hardness to 200-400 ppm.

3. Make sure the pool has no heavy debris that could disintegrate the floc when vacuuming to waste.

4. Measure the levels of Cyanuric acid.

5. Preparing for the filtration process;

• Sand and DE Filters: While the pump is off, control the multiport valve to recirculate position.
• Cartridge Filters: While the pump is off, eliminate the filter element, then reassemble without it.

6. Add the Aluminum Sulfate. For every 10,000 gallons of water, add 8.33lbs of Aluminum Sulfate.

7. Set the timer at 2 hours and let the pump run before shutting it off.

• Do away with the ‘ON’ tripper on the time clock or set automation to service, and set an egg timer to prevent unintended circulation.

8. Let the pump stay off for a minimum time of 12 hours. Do not let the pump run till the whole procedure is complete; all valves are in their accurate position and all elements substituted.

9. Using a portable vacuum system, vacuum the floc to waste slowly to avoid stirring or disintegrating the floc.

10. Asses the remaining aluminum level (ought to be less than 0.2 ppm).

11. Examine the level of Cyanuric Acid.

Generally, it is quite an easy procedure. The water temperature, pH, alkalinity is crucial. Have these three factors set, measure the pool volume, calculate your doses and follow the guidelines above to get your pool water clear, a content customer, and a proud you. It is a cool process if you are yet to try it. The water becomes cloudy, and on returning the following day, all the floc is on the pool bottom waiting vacuuming. Gather your tools and equipment, clean, refill and rebalance the water, and that’s it.

Observe the outcome

Many people can confirm that this method works, including these two experts below who narrate their experience.

John Poma, A+ Pool Service, Lakeland Fla, states that he has seen an approximate 50% drop in pool cyanuric acid by only dispensing 8 lbs aluminum every 10,000 gallons of water in a 19,000-gallon pool with a water temperature of 80 degrees in about 12 hours.

Aimee Clark Olds, All N One Pools, Lafayette La, also affirms that Alum has been their go-to when in need to minimize CYA without draining water. He also notes that they have had up to 10 ppm levels dropped with a small dose of 3 Ibs per 10,000 gallons in a single treatment.

From a small but increasing number of field tests, levels of CYA drop constantly in the range of 20-30%. Using a SpinLab for experiments, pool cyanuric acid levels drop from 165 to 130 and 140 to 115. In addition, interaction with people online gives similar successful outcomes. From the statistics we have, we are beginning to perceive that this is a viable option for reducing pool cyanuric acid. Alum was a way to treat water from way back in ancient Egypt, so it’s not a new product, neither is it too expensive, though it is effective for water treatment.

Currently, it is essential to have more testing to collect more data and validate the outcome. The conversation over the past year has been positive, but we’d require more persons to aid in the collection of more data to test this theory. That’s where you come in, test the process and add your feedback to help in our research.

Few Facebook groups involved in this conversation are 14PSI Pool Industry Lounge and Talking Pools. We would appreciate hearing your feedback on the matter as well. Considering the events of 2020, we are efficiently using social media platforms like the two above to assist the public and encourage better practices while keeping safe. We are anticipating your comments to better our industry for all stakeholders.