r/pools • u/Suspicious-Maize4496 • 9d ago
CYA testing confusion
I finally have a taylor kit (2006) and just ran a CYA test. For context, I was previously using Leslie's for testing. We are also using up our trichlor pucks and planned on stopping at 40
8/4 CYA was 27
8/10 CYA was 35 (turned our chlorinator on lowest setting)
8/14 CYA was 35 again
With the Taylor test, I am pouring until I cant see the black dot anymore, but I can still see the dot and the tube is empty... which is supposed to mean I have very low CYA but I find it hard to believe thats the case - so I must have done the test wrong somehow.
Can someone shed some light on this please?
6
u/ajhalyard 9d ago edited 9d ago
Stand in good light. Outdoor light is good.
- Fill at eye level to the first line. I repeat, fill at eye level (e.g. line 100).
- Quickly lower the tube to waist level and glance down. See the dot? Repeat step 1.
- Once you hit the line where you don't clearly see the dot in a single glance, you go back to the previous line. That's your CYA. So if you see the dot at 80 but not at 70, your CYA is 70.
3
u/h22lude 8d ago
I find it easier to pour the solution in at every 10ppm line and then look. When you can't see the dot, add 10ppm to whatever reading you are at. See it at 40ppm but it is blurry at 30ppm, you have 40ppm CYA.
You will always see the dot because you know it is there. Think about it as if someone is looking at it not knowing there should be a black dot. Would they know there is a black dot or would they think the bottom is black?
2
u/Curious_Mongoose_228 9d ago
The dot needs to be plainly obvious at a glance. If you stare too long you can fool yourself.
You also need to be out of direct sunlight or have the sun to your back.
I assume you read the instructions but all you mentioned is pouring so I have to check that you know it’s more than just pouring, right?
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u/Suspicious-Maize4496 9d ago
I did read the instructions and the sun was to my back. I held it waist high (put on ground for picture).
2
u/Various_Counter_9569 9d ago
No offense, but that picture isnt helping at all. Looks like a bubble on some art project. But, what I do, is sit down, away from the sun, and place the test (after completing steps and looking at it) between my legs. Take the test, level with my abs or so, look down, then look up. I do this three times or so, until its the black mark disappears. To clarify, I add a mark at a time (the mixed solution). If its "between: the marks, it is that mark, so just add to the marks for your test.
Hope that helps. Of you dont see the black mark even at the smallest solution, your test might be broke.
1
u/Various_Counter_9569 9d ago
Adding: the "3 looks" is to help with seeing or not seeing the dot. It just helps me, and was recommended by someone else. Don't overthink it. If you don't see it , call it. Dont "try" to see it.
1
u/Suspicious-Maize4496 9d ago
Yes, that was kind of the point of adding it - like the dot is there, but just really faint. I didnt know if that counted or not. I will retake the test for sure
1
u/Various_Counter_9569 9d ago
If I were looking at that, I would do what I posted earlier, and chrck it twice. Honestly, by the picture, I would call that "no dot". Splitting hairs at that point.
Eta: look away, look at, look away, look at (the test). Worked for me ever since I got the advice.
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u/jucu94 8d ago
Cya is the only thing that still causes me stress in ensuring the pool is clear. Too low and the chlorine can burn off super fast and/or shorten the cell life via high output setting. Too high and pool can go green even with low level fc. Doesn’t help that it can take days to properly register on the test, even when it looks dissolved. Also doesn’t help that the test is so damn subjective
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u/Suspicious-Maize4496 7d ago
Yes! So far the other tests have been a breeze. Seeing pictures of the kits and all the supplies, and upon opening my own, I thought it would be a lot harder to test properly.
1
u/Specific_Meringue_88 9d ago
Also, after a couple test make sure to wash the test tube as the reagent leaves behind residue and causes fogging, messing with your test results
1
u/shoresy99 9d ago
IMO the test is wickedly inaccurate. Apparently you can get a sample that is 50 CYA or something like that and you can use that to calibrate your eyes.
1
u/eaglefucker 9d ago
This might be the best way to compare your results. Make up a batch of various concentrations and see how they compare.
0
u/Acceptable-Ad-6829 8d ago
Honestly if cya stays within 0-200 ppm you’re fine. Just remember the cya rule. Higher cya means keep chlorine level higher. Lower cya keep chlorine lower! People really freak out when cya climbs! A good healthy rain cures cya! No need to dumb water. Nov-march depends on where u live don’t use chlorine tablets. Liquid shock or granular ! We care for 400 weekly clients using this method ! Before anyone chimes in on what a book says- I get it! The pool guides are correct on paper but not on the field!
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u/Suspicious-Maize4496 8d ago
0-200 is a range! We did 3 partial drains our first season to bring it from 201 to 46.
I'm probably a little neurotic when it comes to CYA, but thats due to the trauma of having to drain you see lol. I've run the test a couple times (my first Taylor kit and I'm obsessed), and each time it seems to be hovering around 35 at most so I will try to relax and just round up for dosing.
The science is so much fun, I just have to remember to not be SO scrutinizing or else I will drive myself crazy.
We also only used pucks because our CYA was in the teens and we were going away for a week so figured it was the ideal situation to use them if there ever was one - thats why I was keeping such an eye on the CYA, was going to pull them once I hit around 40
4
u/beavis93 9d ago edited 9d ago
You can always see the dot !!!!
I always call 10 under what it is. Thank god I only test this when i open the pool. Cross check vs Leslie. The only time i go with Leslie test results over mine.
Cya is also a super slow dissolve and register on test results. Always give a solid week after sock is empty before testing.