Borax Floater in Closing Kit

[Jakebear]

I have resolved not to buy a kit to close this year.

With all these posts about Borates and Borax, I am wondering why the pool thieves include it in their kit. What would the function be to add a pound or 2 slowly from a floating half gallon jug with an ice pick hole or two in it.

I'm guessing it is more for pH than algaecide since the kits come with Quat.

[chem geek]

I have resolved not to buy a kit to close this year.

With all these posts about Borates and Borax, I am wondering why the pool thieves include it in their kit. What would the function be to add a pound or 2 slowly from a floating half gallon jug with an ice pick hole or two in it.

I'm guessing it is more for pH than algaecide since the kits come with Quat.
I believe you are correct since the algaecidal properties of the Borates don't work until the amount is high enough, at least 30 ppm. In fact, some algae actually like a small amount of borates so the low concentrations certainly aren't helpful (that brings up controversial issues with using Borax for pH control, but I don't think it's a problem so long as chlorine levels are maintained). So yes, I suspect that the Borax is just used for pH control in these kits assuming that something else they have is acidic, probably Tri-Chlor.

Richard

[Jakebear]

OK, Thanks for the confirmation. I just spent the last hour reading and trying to digest "The Great Tetraborate Experiment" in the China Shop. I never paid much attention to it since I don't have SWG. It appears the benefits are the same with non-SWG pools too.

[CarlD]

There are all these GREAT winterizing kits out there. They really work wonders at magically transporting money from your account to the pool store's.:( :eek:

So, for the pool store, they are GREAT!;)

I only use polyquat and bleach to treat my water for the winter. I don't need a kit for that.:D

[Jakebear]

CarlD,

I know that now!!! ----- Where were you 4 years ago when I was a real newby?

Yeah, I know, right here!!! Some of us just take a while to smarten up. :D

Maybe this thread belongs in the closing section now.:)