What is pool stabiliser?
Stabiliser or sometimes commonly known as sunscreen is made up of Cyanuric Acid (CYA) and comes in granule or liquid form. Stabiliser can also be found as an additive in stabilised chlorine such as Trichlor and Dichlor.
Stabiliser creates a chemical bond with the pools chlorine to protect it from the suns UV rays, extending the life of the chlorine making it more effective in the summer months. Stabiliser is usually added at the beginning of the swimming season.
Does my pool really need stabiliser?
In short yes. Due to chlorine being one of the most important levels in the pool it’s imperative that the free chlorine levels have an adequate availability to kill bacteria in the pool. That’s where stabiliser comes in, it protects the chlorine from being burnt off by the harsh Australian summer sun. The sun can consume about 90% of your pools chlorine in a matter of a few hours if not protected.
What level should it be at?
Stabilise levels in the pool should be between 30-50ppm. As a rule of thumb it’s best to test for stabiliser (CYA) once a month to maintain a correct level.
Roughly add 2kg per 40,000L to raise the stabiliser level by 30ppm, but always read the guide on the packaging. When adding to the pool, first clean the filter then mix desired amount into a bucket of pool water and broadcast into the pool.
Effects of unbalanced stabiliser?
Low Stabiliser levels may cause:
- Chlorine to be killed off with a few hours
- Vulnerable to algae growth
High Stabiliser levels may cause:
- Suppresses chlorine
- Creates a chlorine lock
- Chlorine becomes ineffective
So there you go, now you know what Stabiliser does and why you need it, but if you need some extra help, do not hesitate to give us a call on 1800 625 123 for advice on what products are best suited to your needs.
