The Hidden Costs of Tricolor Tablets: Understanding CYA Buildup in Your Pool
Maintaining a clean and safe swimming pool is essential, especially in the hot desert climate of Arizona. Many pool owners rely on tricolor tablets to sanitize their pools, but there's a hidden cost to this convenience: the buildup of cyanuric acid (CYA).
What is CYA?
Cyanuric acid, or CYA, is a stabilizer that helps protect chlorine from being broken down by the sun's ultraviolet rays. While a small amount of CYA is beneficial, too much can lead to problems. Tricolor tablets, which are commonly used for pool sanitation, contain both chlorine and CYA. Over time, the use of these tablets can cause CYA levels to build up in your pool water.
The Problem with High CYA Levels
As CYA levels increase, the effectiveness of chlorine decreases. This means that more chlorine is needed to achieve the same level of disinfection. High CYA levels can lead to several issues:
Increased Chlorine Demand: More chlorine is required to keep the pool water clean and free of bacteria and algae.
Algae Growth: Ineffective chlorine can lead to algae blooms, making your pool water green and unsightly.
Health Risks: Insufficient disinfection can pose health risks to swimmers.
Environmental Impact
When CYA levels become too high, the only solution is to drain and refill the pool. This process wastes a significant amount of water, which is not environmentally friendly, especially in the arid climate of Arizona.
Better Alternatives
To avoid the problems associated with CYA buildup, consider using alternative methods for pool sanitation:
Liquid Chlorine: Unlike tricolor tablets, liquid chlorine does not contain CYA. This allows you to maintain proper chlorine levels without the risk of CYA buildup.
Salt Water Generators: These systems convert salt into chlorine, providing a steady and consistent level of chlorine without adding CYA to the water.
Conclusion
While tricolor tablets may seem like a convenient option for pool sanitation, the long-term effects of CYA buildup can lead to increased chlorine demand, algae growth, and the need to drain your pool. By switching to liquid chlorine or a salt water generator, you can maintain a clean and safe pool while being more environmentally conscious.
At Founder's Pool Service, we recommend having your pool serviced twice per week so that proper chlorine levels can be achieved without the use of tricolor or chlorine tablets.