Biolab Shelter-in-Place, Cyanuric Acid/Chlorine, and SEO

In this conversation, Rudy Stankowitz delves into the intricate world of pool chemistry, focusing on the critical role of cyanuric acid in maintaining chlorine levels. He emphasizes the importance of digital marketing strategies for pool service companies, including SEO and social media engagement. The discussion also covers the delicate balance between chlorine and cyanuric acid, offering practical tips for pool professionals to optimize their maintenance practices.

takeaways

• Cyanuric acid is essential for effective chlorine use.
• Digital marketing is crucial for pool service visibility.
• Social media can enhance customer engagement.
• SEO strategies can drive more traffic to pool services.
• Understanding molecular dynamics helps in pool maintenance.
• Balancing chlorine and cyanuric acid is key to sanitation.
• Regular testing of water chemistry is necessary.
• Using Google My Business can improve local search results.
• Dilution is a practical solution for high cyanuric acid levels.
• Aluminum sulfate can effectively lower cyanuric acid levels.

Sound Bites

• "Cyanuric acid plays a crucial role in maintaining your chlorine level."
• "You must be in the arcane rituals of molecular dynamics."
• "It's all about how the sunlight glistens off the water."

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Transcript

Rudy Stankowitz (00:00)
Hey guys, it's a Friday. We made it again. Despite the hurricanes. Despite the fires. We are here. And as usual, I want to talk about two topics that don't really have anything to do with one another, but both have a lot to do with you. First off, the chemical part.

I want to talk about the molecular dynamics of cyanuric acid binding to chlorine. Okay, that's number one. The next one I wanted to talk about is marketing in the digital age, specifically SEO. We're going to discuss the shit out of those things today. And hopefully by the end of the episode,

you leave with a little bit more information than you came in with. That's the goal every single time to help you better your business, your service, to make things easier, to make things more profitable, to make things more efficient for you. That's our goal. But first, we're gonna hit Pete with this tip of the day.

Okay, are you ready to enter the mind-boggling world of pool chemistry? Because you see, it's not just enough that you're out there valiantly scrubbing algae off walls and rescuing insects that otherwise would have bravely met their watery demise. no, no, no. You, my dear technician, you must be an expert in the arcane rituals of molecular dynamics. Yes.

the science of chemicals playing a demented game of musical chairs in your swimming pools.

Today's session, the ominous music, cyanuric acid, also known as the creepy babysitter of the pool world. You see cyanuric acid or CYA, it stabilizes the chlorine, which sounds nice, doesn't it? But stabilizing in this case is a lot like locking the chlorine in the basement with promises of letting it out later.

Chlorine is really some brilliant stuff. It sanitizes your pool. It makes everything sparkle like magic. It's actually quite delicate. It's like that guest at the summer barbecue who turns red after only a couple of minutes in the sun and then demands sunscreen. Chlorine, you see, gets absolutely fried.

by sunlight. Useless. Gone. Poof. It exists no more. Enter cyanuric acid, the chemical equivalent of a helicopter parent. It hovers over the chlorine, muttering, no, no, no, my little chlorine, you shall not be destroyed by the big scary UV waves.

Okay, we want a little Dracula on that one. But there is a catch. There's always a catch. Cyanuric acid doesn't just protect the chlorine. No, no, no, no, it. It grabs a hold of it like a clingy Ex

While chlorine can be out there valiantly disinfecting your pool, it's too busy being wrapped up in cyanuric acids, overprotective embrace. And it doesn't bond to just one cyanuric acid molecule. It grabs hold and lets go and moves to another, grabs hold and lets go and moves to another. So somebody, some parent, somewhere is constantly ripping up that child and grasping it in its arms promising it'll let you sanitize.

Maybe a little bit later if we decide that you're allowed. Now let's get scientific for a minute. Because that's always required. Cyanuric acid is what we call a triazine ring. Sounds fancy. Sounds like something you'd order at a posh restaurant. I'll have the triazine ring with a side of hydrogen bonds please. Anyway.

This little ring loves to form weak, flirty little bonds with chlorine, specifically, hypochlorous acid. The part of the chlorine that's actually effective at killing bacteria. So instead of chlorine being out there bravely slaying germs like the knight in shining armor that it is, it gets distracted by the cyanuric acid.

Now, in this chemically induced soap opera, the cyanuric acid and chlorine form a complex, a relationship if you will. Chlorine ties up, and a web of Van Der Waals forces and hydrogen bonds. Which, let's be honest, sounds like a setup for a very niche romance novel. The chlorine can't break free until something shifts.

the temperature change or perhaps a really awkward breakup conversation where cyanuric acid finally lets go? Dear cyanuric acid, says the chlorine, it's not you, it's me. I really need to disinfect things now. And the cyanuric acid tearfully responds, but I was only trying to protect you.

So what does this mean for you, dear Pool Tech? Well, when cyanuric acid levels are too high, your chlorine is essentially tied up in a bad relationship. It's there, technically, but it's not available. to leave the bathroom stall during a fight. Unless, right?

And here's where it gets really fun.

The more cyanuric acid there is, the more chlorine binds to it, which means there's less free chlorine to actually disinfect the pool. This does not mean we have the mythical creature called chlorine lock, because we can always add more chlorine. Keep in mind, again, it binds it let go, it binds it let go, binds it let's go, continuously over and over and over again, but...

enough is bound at one time, it does slow down disinfection. So we add more chlorine.

Now, of course, if the cyanuric acid would disappear, poof, like a magician's assistant, you'd be left with unprotected chlorine, ready to run screaming from the sunlight, which you know sounds like a brilliant idea until you realize the sun will barbecue your precious chlorine in about five minutes. So you see, we need cyanuric acid, but only enough, just enough.

so it doesn't act like a suffocating parent with too many rules.

But, and this is the final hit, there's no exact formula. Nope, we're just guessing. You keep adding chlorine and cyanuric acid, hoping that somewhere in this mad juggling act, your pool stays clean. It's like trying to balance your grocery list on a unicycle while juggling flaming torches, avoiding Mrs. Henderson's complaints about her pool just doesn't have that sparkle anymore. Let's not forget, my dear pool tech,

that this whole molecular debacle isn't static. no, there's kinetics involved. The speed at which chlorine releases from the cyanuric acid all depends on all sorts of things. Water temperature, pH levels, planetary alignment, and whether or not you've recently upset any of the ancient pool gods.

The warmer the water, the faster the chlorine escapes cyanuric acid's grip. Too cold, and your chlorine's stuck like a penguin in quicksand.

Now you may be thinking, well, Rudy, why not just drain the pool and start over every time cyanuric acid gets clingy? And to that I say, ha! Have you tried draining a pool lately? You'd have better luck convincing a walrus to dance the tango. No, no, no, we must dilute. Yes, you simply induce fresh water.

Naive water into the pool, reducing the cyanuric acid's grip on chlorine. It's like bringing in a mediator to break up the unhappy couple. Lovely, really. But homeowners, commercial facilities, no one likes to drain their pools. It's gonna be a battle, a fight, if you will.

Plus, depending on what part of the world you're in, you have to take groundwater level into consideration. If you don't have familiarity with well points, maybe it's just something that you shouldn't do. And then again, there are parts of the country where a contractor's license is required to move water from a pool. So don't do anything you're not supposed to do. Don't do anything you're not sure of. And don't do anything without pop-up insurance.

the only insurance that will protect you if that sucker decides to come out the ground.

So if you can't dilute, you could always switch to non-stabilized chlorine. Yes, you release chlorine from its cyanuric acid chaperone. Let it run wild and free, burning up in the sun like a vampire at a beach party. The upside? Your chlorine will be a lot more available. The downside? It'll vanish faster than your patience with a customer who insists on pouring vinegar in their pool because they read it on the internet.

So there you have it, cyanuric acid. Well-meaning, but an overbearing friend that keeps your chlorine from getting anything done. Too little and the chlorine goes AWOL in the sunlight. Too much and it's tied up tighter than a tax return in bureaucratic red tape. Your job, noble pool tech, is to strike the perfect balance between freedom and control.

Like a poolside Buddha enlightened in the ways of chlorine and cyanuric acid. And remember, while pool chemistry could be, might be, probably is utterly mad, you're the one with a clue. Keep testing, keep diluting, and for heaven's sake, don't let cyanuric acid and chlorine get too cozy because you could end up with a pool that's as effective as a sun bathing penguin. And then do remember, earlier this year,

OnBalance, Que Hales from OnBalance, Kim Skinner, they have actually taken my method of reducing cyanuric acid chemically with aluminum sulfate and they tested it in a lab and have proven that it does indeed work. Aluminum sulfate will indeed lower cyanuric acid levels. If you need instructions on how to add it to make it do that, hit us up, talkingpools at gmail.com.

Rudy Stankowitz (11:07)
At a microscopic level, the interaction between cyanuric acid and chlorine, particularly hypochlorous acid, can directly impact the availability and strength of the sanitizer that you use. Understanding that these molecular dynamics are essential for Pool Techs to know, because it enables

more precise control over the water chemistry and improves your overall pool management. When chlorine is added to the water, it primarily exists in two forms. We've discussed this hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite ion, both of which are responsible for sanitizing the water by breaking down organic contaminants and eliminating harmful pathogens. Cyanuric acid, often referred to as stabilizer or conditioner,

that binds with hypochlorous acid to protect it from degradation by ultraviolet light.

While this interaction is beneficial for outdoor pools that are exposed to sunlight where unstabilized chlorine would break down rapidly, also introduces a trade-off because cyanuric acid's ability to form a bond with hypochlorous acid actually decreases the amount of free active chlorine available for immediate sanitizing action.

The molecular binding between cyanuric acid and the hypochlorous acid occurs through hydrogen bonds. This complexation results in a significant reduction in the concentration of free hypochlorous acid in the water. So in practical terms, the stronger the interaction between CYA and chlorine, the less hypochlorous acid remains unbound and ready and available to sanitize and disinfect. That's why

higher levels of cyanuric acid, they do provide additional protection from sunlight, can also lead to decreased sanitizer effectiveness.

I do know from research that's out there, that's been conducted by my friend Dr. Roy Vor, who used to be at BioLab, once upon a time, that you can actually maintain a level up to 180 parts per million and have that be no less effective, have your chlorine be no less effective than if your cyanuric acid level was at 90 parts per million. But it's still less effective than it would be at 50.

and that's less effective than it would be at 30. 30 to 50 being the ideal level.

That's where you achieve the best balance between UV protection and sufficient free chlorine for disinfection. However, even at that range, some chlorine will always be bound to cyanuric acid, it less effective at sanitizing. So to counteract this, we add more chlorine.

Remember, you've all heard about ratios. we said that your chlorine level needed to be 7.5 % of whatever your cyanuric acid level was. So just to make the math easier, if your cyanuric acid level was at 100 parts per million, that would mean you would need a 7.5 part per million level of chlorine in order to prevent algae and to destroy bacteria.

So they did change that to 5%. I don't know that a lot of you saw that, but it was changed a lower amount. So at a hundred parts per million, we really only needed a five part per million free chlorine level to keep our pools free of algae and bacteria. So understanding that balance.

understanding that balance and understanding that the binding interaction is influenced by other factors such as pH, water temperature, and et cetera. As the pH rises, the proportion of hypochlorous acid in the water decreases since more chlorine converts to hypochlorite ion, which is a weaker sanitizer and also does not have that same attraction to cyanuric acid. So you'll see those hypochlorite ions peel off.

You won't see it, but it's going to be what's happening. And then those are left open to UV degradation. So you'll actually burn off more chlorine, at least chlorine more quickly at a higher pH than you would at a lower pH because of the ratio when cyanuric acid is in use.

So this day.

So this delicate interplay highlights the importance of consistent testing and careful adjustment of both your CYA and chlorine levels. In real world pool conditions where factors like bather load, organic contaminants, and weather can cause chlorine demand to fluctuate, managing your cyanuric acid levels becomes even more complex.

This underscores the importance of regular testing with specialized equipment that can accurately measure free chlorine, total chlorine, and cyanuric acid levels separately.

So the molecular dynamics of cyanuric acid binding to chlorine, it's a key consideration for you pool techs out there aiming to maintain optimal sanitizer efficiency. So by understanding how cyanuric acid interacts with hypochlorous acid at the molecular level, you can make better decisions on how much chlorine you need to add and how frequently you need to test that water.

Remember.

No cookie cutter pools. There's no cookie cutter pool care. Every pool is different. Every pool is a different patient. You're the doctor bedside with that pool, bedside with that patient. You're the person who determines what levels of what are best for that specific pool. Don't forget that.

Rudy Stankowitz (16:51)
Hey there, welcome back. Keep in mind that you, yes, you, are the brave, noble, unsung hero of backyard swimming pools, the savior of green water, the slayer of algae, the one who knows the profound mysteries of pH balance and skimmer baskets. But in this strange and twisted universe, it seems that mere

pool cleaning excellence is no longer enough. Nope, no more. Now, the world demands you to be a digital marketing mastermind as well. Why? Because apparently it's no longer sufficient to rescue Mrs. Henderson's pool from becoming a breeding ground for swamp creatures. Now, you must save her from search engine obscurity.

So let's dive into the wonderful world of social media for a bit, as I like to call it, the great dystopian land of infinite distractions. Picture it.

You're the pool tech. You are a genius in chlorine. But now you must become the master of Instagram filters. because if you don't have a perfectly timed boomerang of sparkling pool water, how on earth will the world ever know that you exist?

You see Instagram, my friend, is where you post artful photos of your pools. Forget about your actual skills. No one cares about those anymore. What they want to see are angles. The angles. Forget your pools, forget your tools, forget your knowledge. It's all about how the sunlight glistens off the water and whether or not you can slap a hashtag on it. and let's not forget TikTok because...

Apparently, somewhere along the way, the key to customer retention became doing a pool cleaning dance challenge. Yes, that's right. You must perform theatrically while scrubbing tiles or else face eternal irrelevance.

for the uninitiated, you might think, surely this social media business isn't that important, but ha! That's where you'd be wrong. Social media is where Karen, from down the street, will post about how you saved her precious pool from the clutches of doom. And that's worth more than all the chlorine in the world, because once Karen approves,

The floodgates open. In fact, the whole neighborhood will be begging you to take a selfie with their filters while you scrub the algae stains into oblivion. A new form of heroism, truly. But wait, that's not all. If you think the fun ends there, let me introduce you to the beast known as SEO, that's search engine optimization, which sounds very official and entirely made up.

This, my dear friend, is where strategically you sprinkle keywords like pool cleaning services near me, as though you're scattering breadcrumbs to lead Google's confused algorithms to your doorstep. the joy. SEO, my friend, is the magical practice of convincing Google that you are worthy of the front page of search results,

Not for your skill with a skimmer or a net or a telepole. no. Google cares not for your actual abilities. It wants to know how many times you've used the word chlorine on your website. Because apparently, the true mark of pool expert is whether or not you've mastered the dark art of keyword density. Genius, isn't it?

so when you're done saving the Henderson's from the slimy testicles, tentacles of pool neglect, rush home to write a 3000 word blog post on the unheralded majesty of pool filters or how to avoid turning your pool into the Amazon rainforest. That's the real ticket to fame in this twisted digital circus.

Don't forget the local SEO. You need to ensure Google knows where you physically are. Lest it assume you're wandering pool cleaner from the North Pole. Claim your territory like a majestic lion of the chlorinated savanna. Register on Google My Business. Demand reviews from everyone you've ever met.

and watch as the digital gods smile upon your localized efforts. But if Google still doesn't deliver, fear not. You can always throw money at it with Google Ads.

Because nothing screams professional pool company more than paying to be at the top of search results. Why wait for organic success when you can bribe the system? It's like a back alley deal with an algorithm. Just pick your keywords, hand over your credit card, and voila, instant prominence. Think of it as the digital equivalent of putting up a neon sign that reads, pool hero for hire.

reasonable rates will work for SEO rating. Your website will rocket to the top in no time.

But what's the point of all of this if your website looks like it was designed by a confused octopus with a typewriter? No, your website must be a gleaming beacon of professionalism, a digital shrine to your pool cleaning prowess. Your future customers don't just want to know what you do. They want to be awed by the elegance of your site. They want to marvel at how you've turned the art of

pool cleaning into a sleek online experience. So make sure your website loads fast. I mean, what's more important, your actual services or how quickly a stranger on the internet can access a picture of you holding a pool pole? I think the answer is obvious. And don't forget your website must be mobile friendly Because yes, people will absolutely be browsing for your

pool cleaning services while teetering precariously on a toilet.

Now, once you perfected your website, it's time to ensure that every visitor is herded like sheep into a convenient call to action. Book now, get a quote, hire a pool genius. Yes, these are the sacred phrases of the internet age. Without them, your website is nothing but a digital void where customers will float aimlessly, never quite sure how to contact you or what to do next.

It's tragic! Really?

So my friend, my pool pro, pool warrior, while you're out there conquering algae and preventing Mrs. Henderson's pool from turning into the Black Lagoon, don't forget, you gotta also conquer the digital realm because it's not your physical prowess that's gonna win you customers. It's your ability to bend the internet to your chlorinated will.

You need Google to bend the knee. So go forth, brave pool professional. Armed with hashtags, SEO, and the almighty Google Ads, embrace this absurd digital battlefield for while it makes absolutely no fucking sense, one thing is clear. You're the only one who has a fucking clue to what's going on. You're the only one who truly knows what you're doing.

That's all I have for this week. Until next time, be good, be safe.

Rudy Stankowitz (25:01)
So breaking that down, search engine optimization, it is a crucial element for companies wanting to rank higher in the search results where potential customers actually look for pool services in their area. Everything that comes up on the first page is prime real estate by optimizing your website content with relevant keywords, improving your site structure and

creating valuable blog content, we talked about that a few episodes earlier, you increase the chances that your business will appear on that front page of Google every time. Local SEO in particular can provide significant traffic by targeting people searching for pool service near me or cleaning in whatever city you're in.

Using tools like Google My Business to ensure that your business details, your hours of operation, and location are accurately listed will further boost your visibility. An optimized website that loads quickly, works well on mobile devices, and is easy to navigate also plays a critical role in improving that SEO.

Google Ads do offer a faster route to visibility by allowing you to create targeted advertisements that appear at the top of the search results. Unlike SEO, which takes time to produce organic traffic, Google Ads deliver instant results by placing your business directly in front of potential clients who are searching for pool services. The benefit of Google Ads is the ability to target specific demographics

locations and even behaviors, ensuring that your ads reach the right audience. You can set a budget that works for your business and adjust your campaign as needed to maximize the return on investment, your ROI. Google ads also provide data to you that allows you to track which ads perform best, enabling you to refine your marketing strategy over time.

Website optimization is the foundation for any digital marketing strategy. Your website serves as the central hub for your online presence. And it's the first point of contact for potential clients a lot of the time. A well-designed website that clearly outlines your services, includes contact information, and features high quality images can convert visitors easily into paying customers.

You need something that's going to drive them to pick up the phone or to click on that contact me now button. so offering an easy to use booking system or contact form that just streamlines the process for users and encourages them to take action. The easier you make navigating your website, getting to that point where they can contact you.

the more Sales it's going to generate. It shouldn't be hard to get a hold of you.

Speed and usability are crucial factors in retaining visitors. If your website takes too long to load, they're just gonna move on to another site. They're not even gonna see what you have to offer.

So incorporating these digital strategies, social media we talked about the other week, SEO, Google Ads, and website optimization, you can greatly enhance your ability to reach new customers and grow. By staying active and engaged online, you also increase your company's visibility, which then builds trust with your audience.

and it positions your brand as a leader in the industry in that market. That's what we want.

Digital Age offers us

a lot of opportunities for pool service companies to connect with customers if we use them correctly. And to do that, you need to invest in those strategies, whether it's time or financially, you need to make it happen because like I said the other day, if you think word of mouth is all that you need,

You've probably never been through a recession. The last one was 2008.

It was crippling for a lot of folks. I don't know when the next one's gonna be. We're long overdue. All I can tell you for sure is that it's coming. So keep that in mind. That's all I had for this week. Hopefully you enjoyed everything. I took a little bit of a sarcastic approach to some of those things initially, but you know, we nerded out on the end. So just trying to keep it light and fun.

If you liked the episode, give me a lot of love. Give me five stars. Give me a good review. Share me with a friend. Share me with a friend. Share the episode with a friend. Listen to our other episodes. We got a lot of great shows each week, Wayne and Steve on Thursdays. Andrea and Paulette on Tuesdays. And of course, that Down Under team is Peter, Shane and Lee. All fantastic shows each week. If you have a question that you think would be good or a topic,

or something you'd like us to address on the show, send it to TalkingPools at gmail.com. If one of our hosts uses it, and you can direct it to a specific host that you want to answer it if you want, just say, hey, Rudy, this question's for Wayne, or this question's for Steve, whatever. If they use it on the show, we're going to send you out a Talking Pools What the Flock hat. How cool is that?

everybody, until next time, be good, be safe.