BBB method and vacation???

[chem geek]

I've found similar results after adding 50 ppm Borates. My pool is very high in phosphates (3000 ppb) and probably nitrates as well and is very reactive so if the chlorine gets too low it doesn't take long for algae to grow. However, since the Borates are in the pool it seems far less reactive. It doesn't completely stop such algae growth, but seems to slow it down significantly.

Though not cheap upon first addition, it's better than something like copper ions that can stain. Thank you Evan for getting us onto the Borates bandwagon. It's not necessary since one can prevent algae using chlorine alone, but is very nice insurance to have.

Richard

[sturev]

Evan, do you have a post about the Borates? I'd love to learn what you guys are doing...

[Watermom]

I think this is the thread.

http://www.poolforum.com/pf2/showthread.php?t=4712

[sturev]

Thanks Watermom!

[BeenPoolStored]

Back from vacation. Before we left, I brought the water up to shock level, then added 7 pucks, set the chlorinator on 2-1/2 and put the cover on. Came home this evening and the water is clear. No algae! The pH was a little low (7.0). I added Borax to bring it up. I'll test again in the morning.

[AnnaK]

Great job!

Hope you had a good time and didn't worry too much about the pool. Since it's clean you can extend your vacation and go swim!