What is stabilizer for a pool?

Author: Prof. Alex Wisoky DDS  |  Last update: Monday, May 23, 2022

What is a pool stabilizer? It is often referred to by several names—chlorine stabilizer, pool conditioner, chlorine pool stabilizer, among others—but basically, it is a chemical additive that functions to stabilize and extend the active life of the chlorine in the pool water.

Is baking soda a pool stabilizer?

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate is naturally alkaline, with a pH of 8. When you add baking soda to your pool water, you will raise both the pH and the alkalinity, improving stability and clarity. Many commercial pool products for raising alkalinity utilize baking soda as their main active ingredient.

What does it mean when stabilizer is low in pool?

Low stabilizer in a pool is a common issue that can be easily fixed. When a pool is exposed to sunlight, chlorine breaks down and no longer sanitizes causing the sanitizer to be low. This happens quickly and on sunny days the chlorine level can go down to an unacceptable level in a matter of hours.

What does adding stabilizer do to a pool?

Pool stabilizer is also sometimes called pool conditioner, chlorine stabilizer, or cyanuric acid (CYA). Its purpose is to stabilize the chlorine in your pool water, so the sanitizer lasts longer. This will ultimately help keep your water clean for a longer period of time.

Do I really need stabilizer in my pool?

The addition of a cyanuric acid stabilizer to pool waters treated with chlorine is necessary to protect the active life of chlorine and its derivatives in the waters from the damaging effects of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. When exposed to UV rays, chlorine evaporates rapidly.

What Is Pool Stabilizer?

When should I use pool stabilizer?

What is Swimming Pool Stabilizer & When To Add It?
  1. A swimming pool stabilizer is a chemical that helps protect your chlorine chlorine so it can effectively sanitize your pool. ...
  2. You should only add stabilizer if your levels are below 30ppm. ...
  3. If stabilizer levels are below 30ppm, then you should add some to your pool.

What is a substitute for pool stabilizer?

Because of the importance of stabilizer, there are unfortunately no alternatives. If you stopped using it, you would continually struggle with chlorine levels, bacteria, and algae. We understand that all the chemicals needed to keep a pool looking healthy can add up and become costly.

Can you swim after adding stabilizer?

You may swim immediately if Stabilizer was added through the skimmer, otherwise wait 12 hours to swim until all product in the pool is dissolved. For pools with bleachable surfaces, such as colored plaster or vinyl, do not allow product to sit on the bottom of the pool.

Can you put stabilizer directly in pool?

There are two methods you can use to dissolve stabilizer into your pool water. You can either add the stabilizer to a pool skimmer box sock and hang the sock in front of the return jet or place it in the skimmer box. Or you can simply mix it in a bucket of water first and dump it into the skimmer box.

Does pool stabilizer dissolve?

Because stabilizer granules are slow to dissolve, certain manufacturers recommend dissolving cyanuric acid in warm water before adding it to the pool. Others recommend broadcasting the granules over the pool by adding the product near a jet or return line.

Does stabilizer affect pH?

Cyanuric acid, also called stabilizer, is commonly used in outdoor pools to reduce photodecomposition of available chlorine. When added to pool water, a fraction of the cyanuric acid (H3Cy) ionizes to form cyanurate (H2Cy-). The fraction that ionizes is pH-dependent.

Does stabilizer damage pool liner?

Stabilizer, or cyanuric acid, is a _very_ weak acid, it can takes a few days to completely dissolve in pool water, it will not however ruin or damage your liner. Sprinkle the stuff on the water surface, let it drop to the floor and in a few days it'll be all gone.

How do I make my pool water crystal clear?

In theory, if you have a cloudy swimming pool, you can add chlorine to “shock it” and clear things up. Chlorine will get the job done. But, the amounts may vary and you may have to really pound the pool with chlorine to get the water totally clear.

Does chlorine increase pH?

Using liquid chlorine raises the pH of the water.

When added to water, liquid chlorine (which has a pH of 13) makes HOCl (hypochlorous acid – the killing form of chlorine) and NaOH (sodium hydroxide), which raises pH.

What happens if pH is too low in pool?

Low pH water will cause etching and deterioration of plaster, grout, stone, concrete and tiling. Any vinyl surfaces will also become brittle, which increases risk of cracks and tears. All of these dissolved minerals will hold in the solution of your pool water; which can result in staining and cloudy pool water.

How often should I add acid to my pool?

We recommend adding Acid weekly! Adding a little and often is better for your water and can actually save you money overtime. Large doses over longer periods of time take a larger portion of your 'Total alkalinity' away.

Should I backwash after shocking pool?

When the chlorine has completely finished working, the algae in the pool will turn a white/gray color and will either settle to the bottom of the pool or be suspended in the water. There shouldn't be any more green color and the water visibility should be improving. Run the filter 24/7 and backwash as needed.

When I add chlorine to my pool it turns cloudy?

Chlorine issues often cause cloudy water. Adding a recommended dose of pool shock to your pool can clear it right up. Poor circulation or filtration can contribute to cloudy water. Make sure your pump and filter are working properly.

Is baking soda a substitute for pool stabilizer?

Baking Soda is used for raising the total alkalinity of the pool, which is the key to keeping the ph in balance. It's not a stabilizer.

Does granular chlorine have stabilizer?

Liquid chlorine and granular shock have the same active chemical that sanitizes your pool, what changes is the strength and the way you use it. Liquid chlorine is less costly, unstabilized and comes in liquid form. Granular shock is stabilized and comes in a solid form that dissolves in your pool.

Can you use chlorine and stabilizer at the same time?

Yes! Just make sure that you wait at least 20 minutes after adding chlorine stabilizer (and that it's completely dissolved into the water) before you go swimming. The same rule applies to all other swimming pool water chemicals including adding alkalinity increaser, chlorine, algaecide, and more.

Does chlorine stabilizer lower chlorine levels?

Correct levels of chlorine stabilizer (Cyanuric Acid or CYA) will protect chlorine from the sun, and will slow the natural degradation of chlorine.

What is salt water pool stabilizer?

Stabilizer is a chemical added to offset the harshness of chlorine. Because saltwater pools don't have the chemical chlorine, a stabilizer isn't required. Salt Pool Facts: • Salt pools are still sanitized using chlorine.

Do I add chlorine or stabilizer first?

Open your pool under normal procedures, and let the filter run with its normal amount of chemicals. When all the other chemicals, such as chlorine. pH and alkalinity, are balanced, add the chlorine stabilizer. Add the stabilizer only after the filter has been backwashed to ensure it is cycled through a clean filter.

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