Question about the Borax sticky note.
I'm looking to add Borax to my newly refilled pool (it was just too much of an algae mess so I bought a submersible pump, drained and refilled). My TA has always been high due to our city water and I managed to get it down from 200 to about 150 over the last few weeks by adding muriatic acid daily and aerating, but it's been tough trying to keep the PH down to 7.2 -7.4 as it keeps jumping back to 8.0 by the next day.
To aerate I set up my submersible pump attached to a pvc pipe in the deep end to shoot water into the air but the splashing was too noisy (have to keep the neighbors happy) so I put an elbow joint on it and now have a 'periscope' sticking up out of the water. (Hey mister, there's a submarine in your pool!). At least now when I add acid to the deep end it should be getting quickly dispersed by the pump down there.
So my question is, how low do I need to get the TA before I can start adding Borax? It says in the sticky: "If your TA is over 140ppm, or your CH is over 400 ppm, ASK, before you start this process." My CH is 200 ppm so I'm good there.
Seems like I'm using a lot of acid just getting the TA down, then I'll have to use even more when I start adding Borax. Have to wonder if the pool store employees think I have some sinister purpose buying all this acid, but they seem to be the only ones with the 31.45% strength. Lowes and Home Depot only sell the Kem-Tek 15% mix, and for the same price, so you are paying twice as much.
Re: Question about the Borax sticky note.
patience....get the TA down first to your target. If you are going to be using bleach as your primary chlorine source I would shoot for about 70 ppm and maintain the pH in the 7.6-7.8 range to take full advantage of the secondary borate buffer you will be introducing to the pool. Once you get the TA down you will find that your pH becomes rock stable for an extended period of time! If you are gong to be using trichlor as a primary chlorine source (which is probably not a good idea unless you have a very short swim season and winterize every year) then shoot for a TA of around 100-120 ppm.
Re: Question about the Borax sticky note.
I purchased the 31.25% MA at Home Depot just hours ago. I had to ask, and they sent me to the back of the outdoor center near the pool supplies. It is called SMART (brand) and come in 2 gallons for $12.95. I was real tickled because the new products are so low a whole gallon bought yesterday (thinking it was the real stuff) only brought my ph down from 8.0 to 7.6 or there about.
Waterbear, how long before I can swim after adding the MA and Borax? My TA is 100, and I use trichlor when I leave for 10 days ( which will be in 2 days), and bleach while I am here. BTW the CACL2 cleared up my pool. I can see all the irregularities in the floor tonight. What I thought was dead algae or sand must have been leeching from my plaster. It is gorgeous. Hope it lasts!
Re: Question about the Borax sticky note.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Redwolf
Waterbear, how long before I can swim after adding the MA and Borax?
I would wait about 24 to 48 hours with the pump running to allow the pH to stabilie, readjust the pH if needed, and then enjoy the water.
Re: Question about the Borax sticky note.
Thanks again. It is looking great this am.
