I was interiged about adding 50 ppm of borate to my residential pool to see what if the benefits I would find in my own experience. Here is what I found with my experience over the past month.
- Reduced chlorine demand: I tried to do a cost analisis of the chlorine cost before and after but I was not very consistent going into it. I have noticed a small reduction in demand from day to day but it probably only amounts to a few less ounces a day of bleach; $10 down to $9 per week. I am a bit inconsistent about testing at night as this is my parent's pool. I can say that the days when my chlorine falls below the min. for my CYA requirement I have not seen any sign of Algae as I did before the treatment. I feel like the Borax now gives me a short buffer that I didn't have between Chlorine testings before the algae can take hold.
- Look/Clarity: I can absolutely say that the water has a constant cool blue color improvement than it did before the treatment. It may just be me but I feel like in the past I could see clear water as slightly aggressive. Now it looks calming; this may just be my imagination/placebo.
- Comfort improvement: Absolutely. The water is noticeably softer. I can open my eyes under water with little discomfort and improved clarity.
- ph buffer: probably positive. I can't speak to this as I rarely need to add MA. I assume this is a consistent benefit to the addition of Borax. Still use the same amount MA just less often.
Overall a it has been a good decision for me as I spent aprox $110 worth of borax, MA, & Lamont Test strips. I would do it agin and will continue to add this as needed.
Considering it for the big pools I run, also.
- Reduced chlorine demand: I tried to do a cost analisis of the chlorine cost before and after but I was not very consistent going into it. I have noticed a small reduction in demand from day to day but it probably only amounts to a few less ounces a day of bleach; $10 down to $9 per week. I am a bit inconsistent about testing at night as this is my parent's pool. I can say that the days when my chlorine falls below the min. for my CYA requirement I have not seen any sign of Algae as I did before the treatment. I feel like the Borax now gives me a short buffer that I didn't have between Chlorine testings before the algae can take hold.
- Look/Clarity: I can absolutely say that the water has a constant cool blue color improvement than it did before the treatment. It may just be me but I feel like in the past I could see clear water as slightly aggressive. Now it looks calming; this may just be my imagination/placebo.
- Comfort improvement: Absolutely. The water is noticeably softer. I can open my eyes under water with little discomfort and improved clarity.
- ph buffer: probably positive. I can't speak to this as I rarely need to add MA. I assume this is a consistent benefit to the addition of Borax. Still use the same amount MA just less often.
Overall a it has been a good decision for me as I spent aprox $110 worth of borax, MA, & Lamont Test strips. I would do it agin and will continue to add this as needed.
Considering it for the big pools I run, also.
