Long time forum reader

[steve52]

But a new member. I've been using the BBB method for about three years, and I love it. Less work, less $$$, and better quality water. What's not to like?

I want to start using borate as an algicide and water conditioner. How much borax and acid do I need to use in my 13000 gallon AG?

[aylad]

The Bleachcalc calculator I use says that for around 50 ppm borates in 13k gallons of water, it will take roughly 215 oz of Borax. However, it does not have the acid calculation, so I'll let Pooldoc, waterbear, chemgeek, or one of the others do that calculation for you....

Welcome to the forum!!

[steve52]

Thank you! This place has already helped me a lot. No more expensive and usually counterproductive pool store chemicals for me, and my pool is much easier to deal with using the straightforward methods recommended here, and the knowledge I've gained by browsing posts. You guys rock!

[PoolDoc]

I want to start using borate as an algicide and water conditioner. How much borax and acid do I need to use in my 13000 gallon AG?

Borax is NOT an effective algicide; it inhibits algae, but does NOT prevent it. You MUST maintain adequate chlorine levels or you WILL have problems. Also borax is NOT a "conditioner", at least in the sense often used in the pool industry, of a 'chlorine stabilizer'. Borax does help stabilize pH somewhat, and it has some mild optical effects on the water's 'sparkle', and it does seem to make it harder for algae to get a start. However, these are all benefits 'on the edges'.

Maintaining adequate chlorine and pH between 7.0 and 8.0 is STILL the CENTRAL issue.

[steve52]

Hi PoolDoc-Thank you for your quick reply. I'm aware that I must still keep my chlorine and pH at the proper levels. I'm looking mainly for the effects and benefits touted by waterbear in this thread: The-Great-Tetraborate-Experiment!

I did manage to also find the full directions here: Need-instructions-on-raising-borates after I posted this question (of course).

Is there a downside to using borax?

[PoolDoc]

Not unless you have dogs that:

(a) drink a lot of pool water, and
(b) are not 'fixed', but that
(c) you are planning to breed.

[steve52]

I do have a pair of dogs, but they don't drink pool water and they are fixed. So I guess I'm in the clear :^)

I think I'll go ahead with the borax, and I'll post back with my results.

Thanks!