On hot, sunny days, cyanuric acid acts as a protector for the chlorine in the pool. It is important to understand the role cyanuric acid plays in a pool. Regular tests are recommended to ensure the ideal level of cyanuric acid, and for users, to guarantee that the chlorine is performing under optimal conditions.
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Test of free chlorine,
Cyanuric Acid, pH and
Total Alkalinity
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How Cyanuric Acid works?
Sunlight and its UV radiation can destroy sanitizer in a very short time. Sanitizers act as the pool protector, killing unwanted invaders like bacteria and algae in the water, yet they too have weaknesses. The more intense the sun and UV, the quicker the sanitizer degrades, the pool protector can’t work well. Chlorine is the most commonly used sanitizer.
On a bright sunny day, nearly all of an ideal level of chlorine in an unstable (unprotected) pool can be lost in less than two hours. However, chlorine has an advantage, it can be protected from the sun. Cyanuric Acid is used as a “stabilizer” for chlorine so that it is more enduring when exposed to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. It is like sunscreen for chlorine.
Cyanuric Acid combines with chlorine to protect it from the UV rays of the sun, but releases it on demand when it is needed to sanitize the water. Cyanuric Acid, Triazine-2,4,6-Triol in scientific terms, is an acid with a pH of approximately 4.0. Therefore, Cyanuric Acid may also shift the pH of the water downward when added directly to a pool.
What is the right level of Cyanuric Acid?
If Cyanuric Acid is present in the water in sufficient levels, less chlorine degradation occurs. Keeping chlorine in the water longer will help to protect the swimmers in the pool. An ideal level of Cyanuric Acid, 30 to 50 ppm (parts per million), should be maintained to prevent rapid chlorine loss. Some chlorine compounds have been developed that already contain an amount of Cyanuric Acid. If a “dichlor” or “trichlor” is being used as the primary sanitizer, Cyanuric Acid is being introduced along with the chlorine.
Usually, no additional Cyanuric Acid is needed when using a stabilized chlorine compound. However, Cyanuric Acid levels may build up with the continued use of one of these sanitizers. When Cyanuric Acid levels are high, it will reduce chlorine efficiency and contribute to high total dissolved solids. Under these conditions it may take chlorine longer to kill bacteria and other microorganisms introduced to the water. If Cyanuric Acid is high, it is necessary to drain and refill with fresh water in order to lower the level.
Aquachek Test products
Local health authorities often require swimming pools to be maintained less than 100 ppm. Cyanuric Acid levels in pools should not exceed 150 ppm. Low Cyanuric Acid levels (less than 30 ppm) indicate that chlorine will dissipate very quickly when exposed to sunlight.
Cyanuric Acid levels should be tested upon the addition of fresh water until properly balanced. Cyanuric Acid should then be tested a minimum of monthly throughout the season. If using “dichlor” or “trichlor”, Cyanuric Acid may need to be tested more frequently to ensure that the level has not exceeded the upper limit.
Test strips
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Digital Strip reader
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Test strips offer the easiest and most accurate way to measure Cyanuric Acid.
AquaChek® offers a patented chemistry that allows for the direct measurement of Cyanuric Acid using a color reaction proportional to the concentration. This color reaction takes place on the test pad that is compared to a color chart to analyze the level present. A recent improvement in chemistry allows users to measure up to 300 ppm directly, without the need to dilute a pool water sample. In addition, greater color distinction allows for greater accuracy and ease of use.
AquaChek® Select® 7-in-1 Test Strips, AquaChek® Yellow 4-in-1 Test Strips, and AquaChek® PRO Silver 7-in-1 Test Strips are all dip-and-read tests that are completed within 15 seconds, and test for Cyanuric Acid levels.
It is important to understand the role Cyanuric Acid plays in the pool. Test routinely to ensure that an ideal Cyanuric Acid level is present to give confidence to the user that chlorine is operating under optimal conditions.
AquaChek® is the leading brand of recreational water testing products for the swimming pool and spa industry. AquaChek® maintains the highest quality standards for its products and has achieved a 5+ Sigma Quality Rating for its most popular test strip product.
The brand serves not only the swimming pool and spa market but also the pet and medical markets. AquaChek®’s diverse product line consists of test strips, digital test strip readers and sensor based testers. Those testing products are used in residential, in-store, service and commercial application and test chemistries from chlorine to pH to total dissolved solids.
