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What is Overstabilization?

Overstabilization is the build up of cyanuric acid in swimming pool water resulting from the use of stabilizedsanitizers and stabilized shock products. It significantly decreases the effectiveness of chlorine in killing germs,bacteria and algae. While small levels of cyanuric acid do serve a purpose in protecting chlorine from sunlightdegradation, too much will negate any benefit and cause problems.

HTH and calcium hypochlorite (cal hypo) offer the only complete solution to overstabilization. Cal hypoproducts do not contain cyanuric acid and will not cause overstabilization.

What are the Symptoms of Overstabilization?

Cloudy water

High chlorine reading with algae

Adding chlorine does not get rid of algae

What is the Solution to Overstabilization?

1. Turn on the pool pump and make sure it does not need to be backwashed orcleaned and make sure it is running properly.

2. Test and adjust the stabilizer level to 25-50 ppm by partially draining some waterfrom the pool and top-off with fresh water.

3. Adjust the total alkalinity to 80-120 ppm, the pH to 7.2-7.8, and the chlorine

to 1.10-3.0 ppm.

4. Continue with routine pool maintenance program.

What is over stabilization?The build-up of Cyanuric acid in swimming pool water, which usually results from theextended use of stabilized sanitizers in conjunction with stabilized shock products.

Over stabilization will significantly decrease the effectiveness of chlorine in killinggerms, bacteria and algae. Small levels of Cyanuric acid do serve a purpose inprotecting chlorine from sunlight degradation. However, too much will negate anybenefit and cause problems. The recommended levels of Stabilizer (Cyanuric acid) arebetween 40 and 60 ppm.

POOLIFE calcium hypochlorite sanitizers and shock products offer the completesolution to over stabilization. Calcium hypochlorite based products (read the activeingredient on the label) are Cyanuric acid free and will not cause over stabilization.Several state health departments have eliminated or banned the use of Cyanuric acidbased product in public swimming pools. Ensure you practice responsible pool careand have a reliable and balanced pool care program.

The use of stabilized sanitizer in conjunction with stabilized shock products can cause theformation

of algae when the cyanuric acid levels reach 70ppm. This can occur within 6 - 7 weeks.

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