New Water Test Results

[PoolDoc]

1. Chlorine is fine for CYA=0ppm
2. Raise the pH ASAP -- low pH damages both liners and concrete pools.
3. Use borax, now. You do NOT have to be able to test it, to begin using it. Use it to raise the pH.
4. Do not try to adjust the Alk or Calc until you have the pH in range, and have some CYA present.
5. You NEVER need to *raise* Calc (CH) in a liner pool.
6. If you have a Sams Club in your area, you may want to purchase a 24# box or 50# bucket of dichlor. Of all the big retailers, Sams Club is the ONLY one we know of consistently selling undiluted dichlor -- and for an excellent price. Dichlor will add chlorine + CYA, and you need both. But it will tend to drive the pH down, so stay on top of the borax.

[ZackCB]

Ben - Thanks for the quick response. I will get the borax today to raise the pH. When I posted above about adding borates, I meant up to the 50 ppm level.

[PoolDoc]

Yeah I doubt you will reach that, just fixing the pH, but if you do, so much the better. BTW, a number of folks who've used borax for years try to keep it higher.

[ZackCB]

What concentration of borax should I shoot for in the pool for the most benefit? Would it still be safe for young children at higher than 50 ppm?

[PoolDoc]

We've seen no evidence for concern at levels under 100 ppm* . . . unless you have male breeding dogs who frequently drink from the pool. Apparently, if male dogs drink a LOT from pools with borax levels greater than 50 ppm, it may reduce their fertility.

Of course, if you have teen boys in the pool, that might be a *good* thing.

(Just kidding!)

* FYI: Haven't seen evidence for problems at 200ppm, either, but I haven't heard of anyone trying to reach those levels.