Will adding borax to 50ppm kill Mustard algae

[Tredge]

Borax "Helps" and in my experience it does a great job. Certainly better than all the algecides I've dumped dollars into in the past. I dont need to keep insane levels of chlorine anymore since 50ppm borax.

But thats all it does. Helps.
Chlorine, proper PH and CYA levels are what does the heavy lifting and if you don't have those stable at least twice a day all the borax in the world isnt going to keep the algae away.

My advice is to add the borax to 50ppm and get your Chlorine much much higher and KEEP it there till the algae goes away.
After that my guess is that your current chlorine levels and borax will prevent the problem from recurring.

[KirstenHW]

How does one test for Borax & dissolved solids levels? I have the Taylor kit k2006 kit.

[waterbear]

fuelman, I am confused a bit by your test results. If you don't have a SWG then why are you testing for salt at all?
I am also a bit concerned by the fact that you have no CC yet you think you have mustard algae. If there was mustard in the water you would have some CC. How was your water tested? something does not seem right.

[fuelman]

confused a bit by your test results. If you don't have a SWG then why are you testing for salt at all?
I am also a bit concerned by the fact that you have no CC yet you think you have mustard algae. If there was mustard in the water you would have some CC. How was your water tested? something does not seem right.

Waterbear, My neighbor has a SWG and a very expensive Taylor K-1741-C test kit. The Mustard algae turned out to be pollen. As for the salt test he just tested it out of habit. The phos level and the TDS level was tested at the pool store.
I have been using a lot of bleach lately, 1/2 gallon a day. Seems more than I used last year. Do you have any idea why?

[waterbear]

Probably the pollen. It is an organic that will increase the chlorine demand.

[CarlD]

The pollen has been very heavy this year, like last year. I find the BEST thing for pollen is a skimmer sock and cleaning it out twice daily. Sometimes it looks like yellow spackling paste!

BTW, That's why I like Evan. He's a pool store guy who doesn't lie to us or give us the usual BS (Barnyard Slush ) about "TDS" and, now "Phosphates". I had one guy go on and on about how bleach is bad for TDS. I nodded, figuring, "Why prick this guy's bubble?" knowing FULL well the "TDS" bleach adds is....salt. If you use bleach for 5 years your salt level STILL won't be as high as you'd need it for an SWG.

(Bleach is made from saltwater--NaCl and H2O--and is dissolved in it--that's what the other 94% is of the 6% ultra Bleach)

[waterbear]

Aw, shucks!

[waterbear]

How does one test for Borax & dissolved solids levels? I have the Taylor kit k2006 kit.

Best test for borates for home use is the LaMotte borate test strips. They are far superior to the AquaChek and Protream strips.
TDS is a bogus measrement for the most part. The only way to test for it is with a conductivity meter, which is an expensive piece of equipment. Don't worry about TDS.