After having our pool replastered at the beginning of summer, I took over the pool maintenance from my husband and have had wonderful luck with the TFP method. I'm planning to add borates via the Borax & acid method after reading such positive discussions on this site. I did have one question - I always use PH Down instead of Muriatic acid mostly due to convenience. Normally on the site, and in the calculator they are presented as either/or but everything I've been reading on adding borax only says to use the muriatic acid. I'm sure there must be a reason but wanted to understand why before I go making trips to Home Depot or wherever to buy muriatic acid.
Adding Borax - Why muriatic acid vs PH Down?
- Thread starter AustinChica
- Start date
Another option is to use boric acid. Then you don't have to worry about the MA or pH down.
You want to use MA with new plaster in particular as pH Down products leave sulfites in the pool which can be harsh on the plaster.
- May 22, 2013
- 2,796
- Pool Size
- 12000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
The Boric acid is the way to go. I did my 32K with 20 Mule Team and it's a lot of boxes and a lot of acid. If I have to dump the water and do it over again like when the liner is replaced I'd go with the one step Boric Acid.
DudaDiesel - - > Google
DudaDiesel - - > Google
Attachments
- Jun 12, 2011
- 3,763
- Pool Size
- 19500
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pureline Crystal Pure 60,000
Having done both the 20 mule team and boric acid methods, I agree. Just order granular boric acid from Duda Diesel. The total cost will be similar and it's so much easier. Just toss the correct amount in and brush it around a bit, and you're done.