5 Easy Steps to Increase Cyanuric Acid in Hot Tub
Learn how to increase cyanuric acid in hot tub in 5 easy steps. Find out why CYA is important, how to test it, and how to balance it with other water parameters. Read more now!
Cyanuric acid (CYA) is a chemical that helps stabilize chlorine in your hot tub water. It protects chlorine from being broken down by the sun’s UV rays, which can reduce the amount of chlorine you need to add to your hot tub.
However, CYA also has a downside: it lowers the effectiveness of chlorine, making it harder to sanitize your water and preventing algae growth, cloudy water, bad odors, and skin irritation. Therefore, you must keep your CYA level within the optimal range of 30-50 ppm (parts per million).
Hot Tub Cyanuric Acid (CYA) Chart
Cyanuric Acid, often referred to as “stabilizer” or “conditioner,” plays a critical role in protecting chlorine in hot tub water from being quickly degraded by the sun’s UV rays. Here’s how to manage CYA levels for optimal water quality.
| Cyanuric Acid Level (ppm) | Water Condition | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 30 ppm | Too Low | Add CYA to reach the recommended level, especially for outdoor tubs. |
| 30 – 50 ppm | Ideal Range | Maintain these levels to effectively stabilize chlorine. |
| Above 50 ppm | Too High | Dilute with fresh water, as high CYA can reduce chlorine efficiency. |
Adjusting Cyanuric Acid Levels
- Test the Water: Determine the current CYA level using a test kit that includes CYA measurement.
- Calculate the Addition: If CYA is low, calculate the required amount of stabilizer based on your hot tub’s water volume.
- Add Stabilizer: Follow the product’s instructions for adding CYA to your hot tub.
- Allow for Circulation: After adding CYA, allow it to circulate for several hours before retesting.
- Dilution: If CYA levels are too high, partially drain the hot tub and refill with fresh water.
Increase Cyanuric Acid in Hot Tub
But how do you increase cyanuric acid in your hot tub if it is too low? Here are five easy steps to follow:
Step 1: Test Your CYA Level
The first step is to test your CYA level using a test strip or a liquid test kit. You can buy these from any pool or spa store or online. To use a test strip, simply dip it in your hot tub water for a few seconds, then compare the color with the chart on the package.
To use a liquid test kit, follow the instructions on the label. You will need to add some drops of reagent to a water sample and observe the color change.
If your CYA level is below 30 ppm, you need to increase it. If it is above 50 ppm, you need to lower it by draining and refilling some water. You don’t need to do anything if it is within the range.
Step 2: Choose a CYA Product
The next step is to choose a product that contains cyanuric acid.
Two main types of products:
- Granular: Are more common and cheaper, but they take longer to dissolve and may leave some residue in your hot tub. You can check these products on Amazon here.
- Liquid: Are more convenient and faster, but they are more expensive and may not be available everywhere. Check the products here.
You can also use stabilized chlorine products, such as dichlor or trichlor, which contain CYA in their formula. However, these products will also increase your chlorine level, so you need to be careful not to over-chlorinate your water. You can see the products from Amazon here.
Step 3: Calculate How Much CYA You Need
The third step is calculating how much CYA you must add to your hot tub to reach the desired level. You can use this formula:
CYA needed (ppm) = (target CYA – current CYA) x volume (gallons) / 10,000
For example, if your current CYA level is 20 ppm and you want to raise it to 40 ppm, and your hot tub holds 500 gallons of water, you need to add:
(40 – 20) x 500 / 10,000 = 1 ppm of CYA
You can also use our Volume (gallons) calculator to know the size of water.
Calculator for Cyanuric Acid in Hot Tub
This calculator will help you determine how much CYA you need to add to your hot tub to reach the desired level.
The formula is: CYA needed (ppm) = (target CYA – current CYA) x volume (gallons) / 10,000
Step 4: Add CYA to Your Hot Tub
The fourth step is to add CYA to your hot tub according to the product instructions. If you use granular CYA, dissolve it in warm water before adding it to your hot tub. If you are using liquid CYA, you can pour it directly into your hot tub. If you are using stabilized chlorine products, you can add them as usual.
Distribute the product evenly throughout your hot tub by stirring the water with a paddle or running the jets for a few minutes. Avoid adding too much CYA at once, as this can cause cloudiness or scaling in your water.
Step 5: Retest and Adjust Your CYA Level
The final step is to retest your CYA level after 24 hours and adjust it if needed. You may need to add more or less CYA depending on how accurate your measurements were and how much chlorine you used. Remember that chlorine consumption will reduce your CYA level over time, so you must check it regularly and maintain it within the optimal range.
For additional information, visit Hot Tub Patio, or if you’re interested in more reading, see Guides and Reviews.
Final Thoughts:
Cyanuric acid is a useful chemical that helps stabilize chlorine in your hot tub water and protect it from the sun’s UV rays. However, too much or too little CYA can cause problems with your water quality and sanitation.
Therefore, you must keep your CYA level within the optimal range of 30-50 ppm. To do that, you need to test your CYA level regularly, choose a suitable CYA product, calculate how much CYA you need to add, add it to your hot tub, and retest and adjust your CYA level as needed. See the more hot tub calculation tools here.
You must also balance other water parameters, such as pH, alkalinity, hardness, and sanitizer level, as they may be affected by adding CYA. Following these steps can increase cyanuric acid in hot tub or pool and enjoy a clean and safe soaking experience.
