Rule of Thumb for Adding Borates to Bring Your Pool to 30-50 ppm
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- Опубліковано 10 вер 2024
- Adding borates to your pool and the pools on your pool route has some great benefits. But how do you know the correct amount to add to a pool? This app is a great way to calculate the correct amount and to be within the range of 30-50 ppm of borates: www.poolcalcul...
Here are the proven benefits of having a Borate level of 30-50 ppm:
Lower Chlorine usage: The Borate helps reduce chlorine usage by eliminating Carbon dioxide and also by keeping the pH stable. Chlorine lasts longer when the pH is right at 7.6-7.8. When the chlorine is in the ideal range the killing element in chlorine the HOCI is at the most balanced percentage so the chlorine in a pool with a pH of 7.4 is 30% more effective than in a pool with a pH of 8.0. This is a big factor in creating the safest swim environment and the borates will keep the pH much more stable and in turn, make the chlorine much more effective.
pH is stable: The pH won't change much in a pool with Borate in it. So, if you have a Salt Water Pool this is a must since the pH tends to rise dramatically. In fact, in a Salt Water Pool the pH can rise to over 8.4 very rapidly. You will find yourself putting tons of acid in each week just to keep the pH below 7.8. With borates in the pool, the pH will be stable and easy to control. It is a must for a pool with a Salt Water Generator. It also will keep your salt cell from building up calcium rapidly since it sequesters the Calcium in the water. This means the salt cell will remain clean and your salt system will run much more efficiently.
Water is more sparkling: The Borate is more reflective so when the sun hits the pool the water will really sparkle. The fact that it sequesters calcium will give the water an added clarity and you will notice the sparkle is almost blinding. The difference is very marked and noticeable and it is a good bonus benefit of borates.
Softer and less irritating water: The water feels softer and doesn't burn your eyes. It also will keep your skin and hair hydrated so after swimming your skin won't be as dried out. Borax has been used for a very long time as a softener for laundry. You will find it in the laundry aisle and it makes sense that it will also make the water feel softer and prevent dry skin.
Less Algae growth: Boric Acid is a known Biostat. This prevents the algae cell from forming and multiplying. Thus, a pool with a Borate level between 30-50 ppm will prevent algae growth. Since borate prevents the algae cell from growing, algae blooms will be a thing of the past. No more algaecides or shocking the pool, algae just won’t grow in your pool any longer.
Borates in the water also don’t evaporate so the initial dose will not need to be added every season. Simply measure the borate level at the beginning of the season and add a maintenance dose to bring the level back up to 30-50 ppm. It can leave the water through filter backwashing, splash out and is diluted by freshwater.
In some estimates, you will use 40% fewer chemicals in your pool during the season. Imagine cutting your chemical use and cost in half! This is one of the best benefits of adding borates. Since it buffers the pH you will need less acid week to week. Since it enhances the chlorine by keeping the pH stable you will use less chlorine each week. And since it prevents algae from growing you will not need to add algaecides or add large amounts of a shock to your pool. There really is no good reason not to add borates to your pool.
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Thanks for the tips. I love ur show
Hey Brother do you have a work around for a main drain leAk at the skimmer I put the plug in it’s leaking at the elbow but skimmer is fine otherwise I though about trying to rig something to allow intake from skimmer and maybe run pvc to bottom of pool till I get skimmer replaced any suggestions would be super appreciated thanks love n respect Roy from Philadelphia
David, I finally am going to try and get this into my pools! But apparently finding it is difficult lol
So true. But I think the more pool guys that are looking for it - maybe a distributor will catch on. 👍
I found it on Amazon. I have not added it yet because I first need to drain my pool this Fall and add fresh water.
Any RELIABLE borate test strips on the market??? - - I've used the online pool calculator and its spot on for any adjustments I need to make on my pool - but when it comes to the boric acid (borates) test strips the color from 25 to 50 can not be differentiated. I know borates are not an "exact" but having a better idea would be a huge help. fyi - currently using Industrial Test Systems Pool Check borate test strips and the color never changes from 25 - when I've added the recommended amount of Optimizer - - water is definitely softer, but I have NO IDEA what the actual reading is. TIA
The strips as you know are just okay. The only other way is with the $1,000 Spin Touch. Maybe in your area a local pool guy has one with the Borate disk and can test it for you.
So my ph and alkalinity are almost nothing. I added four pound of baking soda and tested it the next day. Nothing changed. So I repeated the same thing yesterday and just tested it again and nothing has changed. My pool is 30,000 gallons. What am I doing wrong. The chlorine is perfect and the hardness as well. What are your thoughts? Please know that last year I was using the pool leap system and this year I’m using just a chlorinator.
Try adding 20 Mule team Borax. If everything is that low you will need several of the 4lbs. boxes. Try your local Walmart in thel aundry department.
@@SPL Ok 👍. I have two boxes from last year in my pool cabinet. I will start with them but when you say several…… 2-4-6. What is a good starting number?
Bob Lowry mentioned 70 ppm for swg pools. Is this correct?
Yes.
He also recommended cya to 70 for salt pools?
Is it beneficial to dissolve the powder into a bucket of water, then add it to the pool?
For boric acid powder I just add it straight in. I think it is a bit safer with the granular form to dilute it in a bucket.
Is it normal to add 3 - 4 gallons of muriatic acid a month? Large pool about 35k gallons +
I would say for a pool that size, yes. Big pool.
@@SPL One last question. Is this true for the entire year? Summer and winter? In So Cal.
Thank you as usual for your responses.
what difference does it make if you go with powder VS granular boric acid?
I don't think it makes a difference. You just need to know what type of Borate you are adding. Boric Acid is my first choice.
great -- thanks for advice!
How about using MaxAttrax 1 lb. Roach Killing Powder with Boric Acid
MSDS STATES it's 99.9% H3B03 or B( 0H) 3. Orthoboric Acid or Boric Acid . It's easy to find at Lowes and Home Depot for about 2.98 a pound . Sometimes 99 cent store for 99 cents a pound 👍
Thanks for the tip!
Is using borates, pool rx, and enzymes in a pool overkill?
Naw. I assume you have no algae. 😜
@@SPL I'm currently kicking the idea around of starting my own pool service business and I wanted to have something that would separate me from the competition. Thank you btw for the great information
Is it normal for apartments to ask you for the chemical balance on the pool and ur signature ??
It is normal to keep a chart at an apartment for the health department. And to initial the reading.
@@SPL thanks
I keep getting buildup of soft white stuff in salt cell that will not clean out with muriatic acid. I was told that adding boric acid to the pool might help with that. Do you know anything about this white stuff in the cell that will not clean out?
Try using a phosphate and enzyme product like PoolPerfect. See if that helps. It sounds like organic build up of some type. Does it hose off when you clean the cell?
@@SPL no but it is squishy and breaks up if I jab it with something like plastic knife or something.
I just added a pooorx unit earlier this month can I still add the berates
Or is there a side effect for using together
They are compatible. No issues
Great thanks Brother
Hey Brother do you have a work around for a main drain leAk at the skimmer I put the plug in it’s leaking at the elbow but skimmer is fine otherwise I though about trying to rig something to allow intake from skimmer and maybe run pvc to bottom of pool till I get skimmer replaced any suggestions would be super appreciated thanks love n respect Roy from Philadelphia