Sodium Tetraborate

[waterbear]

Teja, in answer to your ? 'will adding borates to the pool absolutely prevent the algae,esp the floating clumps or strands?' The answer is NO! Just a couple of hours ago I opened a pool which had a thin coat of algae on the bottom and the clumps floating on the surface (however the water was crystal clear). The homeowner came out an asked why the pool was green when he had paid extra to have the 'oxygen out stuff' (ProTeam/ borates) added to the pool. On the other hand, his water tested 'ballanced', which with over 1' of rain in the past 2 weeks, was a little supprising , other folks we've opened have needed to increase both pH and alk. (Can't even do an "f-test" [statistics speak] on this 1 sample, but perhaps it does help the pool, even if it doesn't fully keep the algae at bay, and last year the pool was much further to the 'swamp side' of green than this year [and he opened 3 weeks later this year] and other pools without the borates have been much worse)

However, I'll still refer to them as Pro Tease til I get some straight answers

Waste,
Perhaps the levels of nitrates and phosphates in the water are coming into play here. (Might be interesting to track them) If there is enough algae "food" then algae cangrow. The conept of what is the 'limiting factor' affecting the algae growth is most likely coming into play. Oxygen level of the water is just one of the factors that affect algae growth. If the nutrient levels are high then you could possibly still get some growth.
"Food" for thought on this subject

[waste]

Evan, quick response!
I came back just to check the post # (I plan on updating the China Shop rant to include what I've newly posted here). I remember a thread about 'limiting factor', but haven't 'loaded' it into my knowledge base - perhaps I should give it another look. Thanks for the immediate and, as per usual informative, input However, they claim that 'you will not have any algae in the pool when you open it', this is completly untrue! I realize that there are 'other factors' involved, but they make a claim that can not, and is not supported (I'm sure you are right about the 'food'). Most pools I open that are 'swampy' have a lot of leaves,etc on the mesh cover, and the cover has standing water on it (thanks to all the rain we've recently recieved). I'm sure you are on to the cause of the problem. Thanks for all your help, not only here, but throughout the forum!

[waterbear]

However, they claim that 'you will not have any algae in the pool when you open it', this is completly untrue! I realize that there are 'other factors' involved, but they make a claim that can not, and is not supported

They are not the first company to do so and won't be the last. See if you can figure out the company that has this misleading statement on their pristine website....

"When considering no-chlorine in your pool or spa, look for products that are EPA registered. Products that bear an EPA registration number have undergone extensive third-party testing to prove their effectiveness."

Isn't that enough to make you feel blue? Just what exactly are they saying there anyway?
or the 'natural' company with all the magic and perfect products that states time after time on their website....

"Clear, Perfect Water…
Unconditionally Guaranteed!"

Somehow the 'chemistry' just isn't there for me with this guarantee unless you are talking about bleach, borax and baking soda!

Marketing hype is nothing new. Companies make unsubstantiated claims all the time and not just in the pool industry. Unfortunately it leaves it up to us, concerned consumers and caring professionals, to try and figure this whole mess out on our own and when we do to spread the word to others in venues such as this forum that allow us to exchange our ideas and findings with each other.