Borates - Help

[kevinm]

Thanks Dave and Evan.

Dave, I took your advice yesterday.

Evan, this morning I read the thread, and have now added 15 boxes (thats all the store had on the shelf), and 4 galloons of acid.

I'll test this afternoon. I don't have the borate strips, so I won't be able to test this change.

We've noticed that the water doesn't feel as silky this year. From what I've read, this should help get that feeling back. I've been using plain salt (the blue bags from Lowes) instead of Beginnings and Renewal. They must include this?

Thanks again, I'll let you know how it goes.

Evan, by the way I have a cartridge filter, so why no increase from the 3 boxes I added before is still a mystery?

Regards,
Kevin

[waterbear]

Thanks Dave and Evan.

Dave, I took your advice yesterday.

Evan, this morning I read the thread, and have now added 15 boxes (thats all the store had on the shelf), and 4 galloons of acid.
should still get you into the 30 -50 ppm 'sweet spot'
I'll test this afternoon. I don't have the borate strips, so I won't be able to test this change.
I buy mine online from www.diywatertesting.com good prices and fast ship.
We've noticed that the water doesn't feel as silky this year. From what I've read, this should help get that feeling back. I've been using plain salt (the blue bags from Lowes) instead of Beginnings and Renewal. They must include this?
yep, along with CYA and dry acid at a very high price!
Thanks again, I'll let you know how it goes.

Evan, by the way I have a cartridge filter, so why no increase from the 3 boxes I added before is still a mystery?
IF they are testing with strips and a strip reader that is not a very accurate test method (but close enough for borates). I suspect that the pH of the sample will have an impact on the results with strips just from what I have seen testing my own pool but I have not proof. If they are doing the titration test (which acutally tests for boric acid) then it is prone to error if done imporperly. Instead of using indicators this test should really be done with a pH meter. Either way I would not lose much sleep over it. Did your salt level also go down in the period between the tests? If so it was just probably splashout.
Regards,
Kevin

Hope this helps. Proteam makes a titration test for borates (their brand is Supreme) but the test kit is very expensive. I believe retail is about $75 or so and I have not been able to find it. We sell Proteam where I work and even our Proteam distributor does not stock it (although they can get it for me). If you can find them the LaMotte borate strips are supposed to be easier to read than the AquaChek or the Proteam strips (according to LaMotte tech support. I do put some faith in what they say since we use LaMotte water testing at work and their tech support has always been right on the money every time I have consulted them). I have not been able to find them except one place online that only sells them by the case!