How to Raise Cyanuric Acid in Your Pool
Cyanuric acid, usually called CYA, stabilizer, or conditioner, protects chlorine from being destroyed too quickly by sunlight. This calculator estimates how much granular cyanuric acid to add based on your pool volume, current CYA reading, and target level.
Granular stabilizer dissolves slowly, so follow the product label and allow the product to dissolve and circulate fully before relying on the next test result.
Why Pool Stabilizer Matters
Outdoor pools need enough CYA to slow the loss of free chlorine caused by ultraviolet sunlight. With little or no stabilizer, chlorine can disappear rapidly on a bright summer day.
More CYA is not always better. As CYA rises, the pool generally needs a higher free-chlorine level to remain properly sanitized. Excessive CYA can make chlorine management difficult and may require water replacement.
Recommended CYA Levels
Many traditionally chlorinated outdoor pools are maintained around 30–50 ppm CYA. Saltwater chlorine-generator pools often operate higher, commonly around 60–80 ppm, depending on manufacturer guidance and operating conditions.
Common Stabilizer Mistakes
- Adding stabilizer without confirming the current CYA level.
- Guessing the pool volume and accidentally overdosing.
- Raising CYA too far in one treatment.
- Retesting before the stabilizer has fully dissolved and circulated.
- Using stabilized chlorine products without accounting for the CYA they add.
If your test shows CYA near the top of your acceptable range, stop before adding more. Confirm the test and pool volume first.