If you are unable to keep chlorine in your pool on sunny days, you may want to consider using a stabilized chlorine. Chlorine can be stabilized, or protected from the deteriorating effects of the ultraviolet rays of the sun, by adding cyanuric acid. Cyanuric acid helps to protect and "stretch" the life of chlorine. Sounds good, right? Nonetheless, stabilized chorines are a controversial topic in the swimming pool industry.

The problem with cyanuric acid is that once it enters the pool water, it's difficult to remove. To lower the levels of cyanuric acid levels become greater than 100/mgl, chlorine may become bound-up and be less effective. Some people claim that when cyanuric acid levels get too high, liver and kidney damage may result. There's no agreement on exactly how much cyanuric acid is too much, however. Two of the most popular stabilized chlorines that use cyanuric acid are dichlor and trichlor. Other disadvantages of stabilized chlorines are that they can be used only in outdoor pools and that a separate test kit must be used to monitor cyanuric acid levels. Ideally, a pool's cyanuric acid levels should be between 30 to 50 ppm/mgl.

Water Chemistry • Popular Disinfectants • Chorine • Calcium Hypochorite • Sodium Hypochlorite • Stabilized Chlorines •
Bromine • Other Disinfectants • Water Balance • pH • Total Alkalinity • Calcium Hardness • Total Dissolved Solids •
Balancing Pool Water • Water Testing • Pool Vacs & Sweepers •

Pool Maintenance • Daily Chores • Weekly Chores • Solving Common Problems • Cloudy, Milky Water • Malodorous, Irritating Water
Green Water • Red or Brown Water • Blue - Green Water • Blue or Black Water • Pump Problems • Sand in Pool •
Excessive Water Loss • Excessive Foaming