Maintaining proper stabilizer levels in your above ground pool is important for safety and water balance. If you’ve noticed your stabilizer becoming depleted but want a more eco-friendly solution, there are some natural ways to increase stabilizer in above ground pool.
By following a few simple steps using ingredients likely already in your home, you can increase your level of pool stabilizer naturally.
As a homeowner with an above ground pool, stabilizer maintenance was always a headache until I discovered these organic techniques. Not only have they saved me money on chemicals long-term, but keeping my family pool balanced naturally has brought me peace of mind.
In this article, I’ll share the exact methods of How to increase stabilizer in above ground pool naturally
What is Pool Stabilizer?
Pool stabilizer is a chemical that is use to maintain proper chlorine level in swimming pool. Pool stabilizer protects chlorine from breaking down too quickly when exposed to sunlight and heat. Without a stabilizer, chlorine would dissipate rapidly.
Proper stabilizer levels are important for sanitation and safety. Too little stabilizer makes it hard to maintain an adequate free chlorine residual, leading to declining water quality. However, excessively high CYA can also cause issues by interfering with chlorine’s effectiveness at common doses.
Most pool experts recommend stabilizer concentrations between 30-50 ppm for above ground pools. This ensures chlorine remains potently disinfected while allowing for adequate turnover. Stabilizer gets depleted over time and needs periodic adjusting, usually once a season or as indicated by test strips.
Types of Pool Stabilizer
Cyanuric Acid
Cyanuric acid is the most commonly used stabilizer use for chemically binding to free chlorine molecules, shielding them from UV light degradation. Proper levels range from 30-50 ppm. Cyanuric acid is safely dissolved into the pool water over time.
Dichlor Stabilizer
Also called dichloroisocyanurate or “Dichlor” tablets, these compact powdered sticks provide two essential pool chemicals at once. As the tablets dissolve gradually, they release both free chlorine and cyanuric acid.
One tablet treats around 10,000 gallons. Used regularly, Dichlor ensures a stabilized free chlorine residual with less maintenance.
Trichlor Stabilizer
Very similar to Dichlor but with even greater chlorine potency, Trichlor tablets contain higher percentage of available chlorine as well as CYA.
Each Trichlor tablet packs a stronger initial sanitization punch per dosage. This intensifies the initial kill power for severe algae or bacterial blooms in the water.
Bromine Stabilizer
Pools using bromine rather than chlorine require special stabilizers designed to shield the bromine molecules from UV breakdown.
Various forms include granular and liquid CYA stabilizers, bromine tablets combining bromine and stabilizer, and non-chlorine shock treatments. Proper bromine levels are 2-4ppm.
Natural Stabilizers
Alternatives purported to form chlorine bonds are vinegar, sodium bicarbonate and citric acid. However, research showing their effectiveness as true stabilizers is still limited.
They are generally not recommended for long-term pool balancing due to lack of regulatory oversight and processing potential issues over time.
How to Pick Right Pool Stabilizer
The right type of pool stabilizer will depend the amount of sunlight the pool received in a day.
When to add Stabilizer in Pool
Here are a few guidelines for when to add pool stabilizer:
- At the start of the season before filling the pool: It’s best to establish a baseline CYA level of 30-50ppm at the onset. This protects chlorine all summer long.
- After heavy rain or backwashing: Significant water dilutions may decrease stabilizer concentrations. Test and adjust as needed post-dilution events.
- When new chlorine is added: Always add stabilizer any time fresh chlorine is dosed, whether it’s initial chlorination, shock treatment or daily chlorine additions.
- With a new chlorine or bromine system: Promptly establish the recommended 30-50ppm CYA range if switching chemistries or opening a formerly untreated pool.
- Weekly during regular swimming season: Most established vinyl pools require 1-2 pounds of granular or 1 inch of liquid CYA monthly to maintain levels.
- Before closing in fall: Topping off the CYA to 50ppm max means you’ll be covered through the winter freeze/thaw cycle.
- After rain or snowmelt in closed season: Standing water dilutions may deplete stabilizer levels even when the pool is covered.
- Upon spring opening: Test stabilizer and replenish any losses from months under snow/ice before returning the pool to service.
How to Add Pool Stabilizer
Here are simple steps to add pool stabilizer:
- Test the water – Use a test strip or kit to find out your current CYA (cyanuric acid) level in parts per million (ppm).
- Determine how much is needed – Compare the result to the ideal range of 30-50ppm. Calculate how many pounds or ounces of stabilizer to add.
- Prepare to add it – Have stabilizer chemical, test results and any needed safety gear like gloves and goggles ready by the pool.
- Scoop and sprinkle – For granular CYA, carefully pour it evenly around the entire pool perimeter. Go slow and do not dump it all at once.
- Stir it in – Use a long-handled pool skimmer to disperse the stabilizer and ensure it fully dissolves. Sweep from deep to shallow areas.
- Check the filter – Backwash your filter within 24 hours to remove any large undissolved granules trapped inside.
- Test the water again – After 24-48 hours, recheck the stabilizer level via test strip. Adjust as needed to reach the right range.
- Enjoy! – Your pool is now protected and balanced. Maintain weekly and seasonally with further moderate stabilizer additions as water evaporates.
How to increase stabilizer in above ground pool naturally
Here is a simple 5 step guide on How to increase stabilizer in above ground pool naturally that any pool owner can do.
Step1. Prepare the Citrus Fruit
Slice 3-4 medium oranges, lemons or limes very thinly, cutting into pieces around 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Increasing the surface area will speed up the leaching process.
Step 2. Secure the Fruit Bundle:
Place the sliced fruit into a fine-mesh fruit or vegetable bag. Tie the bag securely shut once all slices have been added.
Step 3. Placing the Bundle in the Pool:
Add the bag of citrus fruit to the pool water, floating it near the filter intake or water draining system. Locating it here allows better dissolution through water circulation.
Step 4. Testing and Monitoring Stabilizer Levels:
Test the stabilizer or CYA levels daily for the first week using test strips or a liquid kit. It may take 7-10 days for the citrus to naturally increase stabilizer levels.
Step 5 . Removing the Used Bundle:
Once no more juice is being released, remove the empty fruit flesh from the bag and discard. The citrus method will then be complete.
Pros and Cons of High Stabilizer in Above Ground Pool
| Pros of High Stabilizer Levels | Cons of High Stabilizer Levels |
| Chlorine lasts longer before needing replenishment since it breaks down more slowly. | Chlorine becomes less effective at killing germs and purification. Higher doses are needed. |
| Less chlorine needs to be added on a regular basis to maintain protection. | Increased risk of algae growth, bacteria, and contamination issues. |
| May provide perceived better protection against germs and contaminants entering the water. | Difficulty maintaining balanced pH level optimal for swimming. |
| Less effort required for routine chlorine dose monitoring and additions. | Buildup of irritating chloramines occurs more readily. |
| Stabilizer acts as a buffer against fluctuations in chlorine levels from environmental factors. | Oxidation power of chlorine is reduced, allowing more organic pollution. |
| Extended swimming season possible before closing requires less effort. | Shock/initial chlorination treatments become less effective. |
| Slightly lower operating costs by reducing chlorine chemical purchases. | Regulators may require full drain/refill if levels get too high long-term. |
| May extend time between backwashing filter due to less chlorine use. | Eye and skin irritation issues are more common for swimmers. |
