borax in the pool

[deep_blue]

I have followed the borax discussion and have added "slowly" the rate of 1 box per 1000 gallons.
The goal is 50 ppm.

I have noticed some cloudiness or "very small particles in the water " that might be undisolved borax. Is this possible?

What can I do to clear the water and still benefit from the algecide benefits of borax as weel as the imporved clarity that I thought I might see?

Any suggestions , please feel free.

indoor pool
vinyl liner
cl 2
cc 0
ph 7.6
ta 80
ch 100

deep_blue

[aylad]

It is very possible that you're seeing undissolved Borax....if so, just continue to run your filter and see if it clears over the next few days--the particles should either stick in your filter or dissolve. You might want to do some extra brushing, also, just in case some has settled to the bottom. When you add your Borax, are you dissolving it in water first, or just pouring it into the skimmer? I've found that by dissolving it most of the way in water before putting it into the skimmer hasn't caused any cloudiness in my pool so far.

Janet

[chem geek]

Don't forget that Borax raises the pH so you need to add acid after you add Borax in order to maintain the pH. If you didn't add acid, then the higher pH can cause cloudiness as there is more saturation of calcium carbonate.

Richard

[waterbear]

The proper way to add borax is to add about half the amount of acid needed then immediately add half the borax needed and brush until it is dissolved. Then add the rest of the acid and the rest of the borax and brush. Check the pH in 48 hours and adjust to 7.6
There have been no reported problems when it's done this way, either with 20 mule team or with Proteam Supreme (both are borax!)

[Poolsean]

Waterbear,

Is the dosage 1 box 20 mule team borax per 1000 gallons? I'm trying to do my pool and I think I'm way below what I need to be at to establish 50 ppm. I've added 4 boxes so far to my 19,000 gallon pool.

[chem geek]

Sean,

1 box of 20 Mule Team Borax is 76 ounces weight and increases Borates by about 6.5 ppm in 10,000 gallons. So it takes 7-3/4 boxes to raise the Borates by 50 ppm in 10,000 gallons.

The rate of 1 box per 1,000 gallons would yield 65 ppm which would overshoot your 50 ppm target. Adding 4 boxes to 19,000 gallons would raise the Borates by 13.6 ppm.

Also, one box of 20 Mule Team Borax requires 36.3 fluid ounces of Muriatic Acid (31.45% Hydrochloric Acid) to keep the pH the same.

Richard