Cya Test ===> Very Odd Resuts

[TomC]

Hi All,

We followed the drop test instructions (fill small bottle to 7ml and then add 7ml of R-0013 Cyanuric Acid Reagent), then transfer to small tube until you can't see the black marker in the bottom of the tube. From the instructions, it is apparent that the solution should be cloudy - thus eventually reducing the visibility of the black dot.

Well, our solution remained clear. Absolutely no problem seeing the black dot even after the entire sample was transfered to the small tube. What does this mean?

Thanks Again...Tom

[quantumchromodynamics]

If you did the test correctly, then a clear sample would indicate that there is no cyanuric acid in the water.

What level did you estimate you would get?

Did you mix and wait the required amount of time?

[TomC]

If you did the test correctly, then a clear sample would indicate that there is no cyanuric acid in the water.

What level did you estimate you would get?

Did you mix and wait the required amount of time?

Hi,

To the best of my knowledge, I did the test accurately. I tried to logically think through the result and I thought that a non-cloudy mixture would mean high levels of CYA.

Honestly, I have never tried the test before and had no expected results in mind. The water is about two months old, plain old city water. Where does CYA come from, should I have accumulated some, somehow? What is a normal result?

Thanks...Tom

[quantumchromodynamics]

The only sources of cyanuric acid are dichlor, trichlor and pure cyanuric acid. If you haven't used one of those, then you should not have any cyanuric acid.

[TomC]

The only sources of cyanuric acid are dichlor, trichlor and pure cyanuric acid. If you haven't used on of those, then you should not have any cyanuric acid.

Is CYA important? Should I go about getting some into the water somehow?

Thanks...Tom

[quantumchromodynamics]

It's not necessary. However, it does help to have about 20 to 30 ppm. You can use dichlor as a source of chlorine for a while to add cyanuric acid.

Use thepoolcalculator.com to calculate how much dichlor you need to add to reach 20 to 30 ppm.

First put in the number of gallons and then go to the section Effects of adding chemicals to calculate the effect of adding a certain amount of chemical.

For a 400 gallon tub, 3 ounces (cumulative, not all at once) will add 28 ppm of cyanuric acid.

[TomC]

It's not necessary. However, it does help to have about 20 to 30 ppm. You can use dichlor as a source of chlorine for a while to add cyanuric acid.

Use thepoolcalculator.com to calculate how much dichlor you need to add to reach 20 to 30 ppm.

First put in the number of gallons and then go to the section Effects of adding chemicals to calculate the effect of adding a certain amount of chemical.

For a 400 gallon tub, 3 ounces (cumulative, not all at once) will add 28 ppm of cyanuric acid.

Hi,

Thanks for the advice.

For the time being though, I think that I will focus on the potential things that are giving me this crazy itch. Since I have ruled out bacteria, I am now focusing on the chemicals. I have stopped using MSP and I have brought the pH down from 8.2 to 7.5. If there has been an improvement in the rash, it has been minimal - even after those adjustments.

We have a salt water system and we are keeping the FC at around 2.0. Sort of scratching my head over what next to try (literally ;o)

Tom

[chem geek]

An FC of 2.0 ppm with no CYA in the water is quite high and could be irritating, especially if you are sensitive to chlorine. You should use some CYA in the water even with your salt system -- 30 ppm would be good.