Cyanuric acid—also known as CYA, stabilizer, or conditioner—protects chlorine from being burned off by the sun. Without it, chlorine can disappear within hours. But too much CYA can actually prevent chlorine from working properly. The ideal range for most pools is 30–50 ppm (saltwater pools can go up to 80). Once CYA gets above 100 ppm, chlorine becomes less effective—even if your test strip says there’s enough.
High CYA binds chlorine, meaning you need more to get the same sanitizing power. That’s when you see cloudy water, algae, or rising chemical costs—often caused by overusing trichlor tabs or dichlor shock, which add CYA each time.
Many think a partial drain will solve the issue, but once you’re past 100 ppm, full drains are usually the better fix. At Lanterra Pools, we monitor CYA levels and let you know when it’s time to take action—keeping your water clean, safe, and balanced.
