Quote Originally Posted by smileitsachoice View Post
aerating water to raise ph as I am waiting on Borate test strips to be delivered. . . . . Water this morning is absolutely crystal clear (the addition of the borates WOW!)
Aeration will only raise pH if CARBONATE alkalinity is present. You don't have much, except the bicarb you just added. I don't know that I'd worry much about adding bicarb in the future. The only real reasons to use bicarb are to (1) buffer the pool and (2) add carbonate alkalinity on pools where you need a near positive Langlier index (based on pH, carbonate alkalinity and calcium levels). On your pool, with a SWCG, your pH drift will be upwards, and a high borate level will work well for you, so you won't necessarily need the carbonate alkalinity for that. And, since you have a liner pool, you don't need a positive Langlier's or SI.

I'm surprised the borate addition made such a visible difference in clarity.

By the way, thanks for the subscription!