Boric Acid?

Hi,

The previous owner left me 4 containers (5 gallons each) of Boric Acid. What would that be used for?

I took a pic of one container but it came out a bit blurry.

http://www.entermyworld.com/temp/boric.jpg

Thanks,

Ilan

It is often used as a pesticide.

From the EPA web site: it can be used as for algae control in swimming pools.

It will lower your pH (it is acid after all). EDIT: I am not saying that you should use it to lower your pH. I am just saying that it will do that. :)

It is an ingredient in some types of antibacterial ear drops and there are Boric Acid eyewashes you can get at the pharmacy. (DISCLAIMER: Do not try to make either of these yourself!)

There are many uses for Boric Acid.

Not sure what the former owners used it for. Maybe pH with that amount?

I am sure someone else can answer this better than I can. After all, I am a newbie as a pool owner.

Hmm, all I was told was it was for the pool. Makes sense that it was probably used to lower the ph but until I get a definite answer, I'll stick with Washing Soda for that.

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Originally Posted by iardon

Hmm, all I was told was it was for the pool. Makes sense that it was probably used to lower the ph but until I get a definite answer, I'll stick with Washing Soda for that.

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Washing soda (sodium carbonate) will NOT lower your pH...it will raise it along with your TA! The 'dry acid' used for pools is sodium bisulfate. I know of no use for boric acid in a swimming pools although it is sometimes combined with sodium tetraboarate in propriatery mxitures as a water conditioner like ProTeam Weekly Treat (which is used in conjunction with ProTeam Supreme),
I notice from the picture that boric acid was hand written on the contaier. Are you sure it is boric acid in there?

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Originally Posted by waterbear

Are you sure it is boric acid in there?

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I'm not sure about anything. ;) Hence thinking washing soda lowers ph.

Anyhow, I can just throw it out I guess.

I'm am using Borax to raise my ph, unsuccessfully so far. Hopefully that's the correct thing to do.

Since I already bought some washing soda (sodium carbonate), can use that with the Borax to raise my PH?

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Originally Posted by iardon

I'm not sure about anything. ;) Hence thinking washing soda lowers ph.

Nope. It RAISES pH.

Anyhow, I can just throw it out I guess.

Since you have NO idea what it all is, you may want to find a hazardous waste disposal depot and bring it there. You can't just chuck dangerous chemicals in the trash, generally.

I'm am using Borax to raise my ph, unsuccessfully so far. Hopefully that's the correct thing to do.

That is correct. You aren't using enough.

Since I already bought some washing soda (sodium carbonate), can use that with the Borax to raise my PH?

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I would not mix them. But you can use them alternately to raise your pH--Borax one day, washing soda the next. WS will raise your Total Alkalinity as well. See the Alkalinity forum.

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Since you have NO idea what it all is, you may want to find a hazardous waste disposal depot and bring it there. You can't just chuck dangerous chemicals in the trash, generally.

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Sure. I'll be taking them to one of my local fire departments that take paint and stuff that the garbage people won't take.

Thanks for the info.