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Just got my water tested after 3 years with this Hayward chlorinator - CYA is over 200 ppm! My beautiful gunite pool looks like a science experiment gone wrong. Hayward should put warning labels on these things! I'm traveling full-time and trusted this system to maintain my pool while I'm away, and now I'm looking at a $5k+ drain and refill. Never buying their products again. #poolfail

Kevin, I feel your frustration, but blaming the equipment is like blaming the spoon for making you fat. The real issue here is **stabilized chlorine** - those trichlor tabs are pure chemical overload! Your body (and your pool) needs balance. Have you considered switching to a **natural mineral system** or even **saltwater conversion**? The CYA buildup is a symptom of chemical dependency. Heal your pool from the inside out!

Actually, let's clarify the science here. CYA (cyanuric acid) accumulates from stabilized chlorine products (trichlor/dichlor). Hayward chlorinators are just delivery systems - they don't create CYA. The manual *does* mention monitoring CYA levels (section 4.2). At 200+ ppm, chlorine effectiveness drops dramatically. You'll need to partially drain, but first test your calcium hardness and TDS. Also, consider switching to liquid chlorine or cal-hypo tabs to avoid future CYA buildup.

GummyGuru - I'm not looking for holistic pool therapy, I need solutions! And TideTitan, I get the science, but Hayward markets these as 'maintenance-free' systems. If they know CYA builds up, why don't they build in alerts or automatic dilution? I'm literally in Bali right now dealing with this via my pool guy. Total nightmare for a digital nomad.

The universe is giving you a sign to **detox** your pool! All those chemicals are disrupting the water's natural energy. I switched to an **ozone generator** + occasional hydrogen peroxide and my pool has never been clearer. No CYA worries, no harsh chlorine smell. Your gunite will thank you for moving away from corporate chemical solutions. 🌿✨

Practical steps: 1) Drain 75% of your water (check local regulations). 2) Refill and retest. 3) For maintenance: Use liquid chlorine (sodium hypochlorite) OR if you must use tabs, switch to cal-hypo (but monitor calcium). 4) Test CYA monthly - keep it 30-50 ppm. Hayward could improve with smart sensors, but ultimately water chemistry is owner responsibility. PS: Ozone systems still need supplemental sanitizer - they're not EPA-approved as standalone.