Really I see 3 primary philosophies when it comes to pool maintenance. Pool store, big box store, and BBB.
-Pool store philosophy is really popular because it requires no thought, just deep pockets. You don't know anything about your pool, you just bottle up some water once a week and take it to them and follow their instructions. Usually you have the TC/pH test and know when the colors change too much to add something, but mostly it is the weekly additions. They will spend lot's of time selling you on the products because they know you don't know what they do and you need convinced it's worth the cost. It tends to work, the water usually stays mostly clear, and they are the experts, right? Also all natural, mineral, ionizer, ozone, baquacil, etc. programs fall under this as there is always somebody selling them on the supposed benefits of these more expensive alternatives.
-Big Box philosophy is the big HTH signs you see at Walmart, Meijer, or Kmart (yes, there are still a few around!). Popular with smaller intex pools that are sold there, this is the "1. Balance, 2. Chlorinate, 3. Shock, 4. Algaecide" thing. It is a DIY, usually involves a better test kit, but still has it's shortcomings. Tends to work for small pools that will just be drained at the end of the season, or if things get too out of hand. Cheaper than a pool store but still involve the weekly "shock" and algaecide treatments.
-BBB is the TFP way. We don't sell it, we educate. We want somebody to understand what is involved with the pool store program, to understand their pool chemistry, to understand how the BBB method actually works and what is involved, and to make their own choice. We do this because we know that it is better results at a lower cost. You cannot just pass the buck though, you must test your own water with a kit up to the task. You must learn what all the complicated words and acronyms mean. You must learn the tricks, like TA increaser is nothing but sodium bicarbonate and that that is baking soda. You must learn the relationship between CYA and chlorine. In the end though it becomes simple, and so does maintaining a crystal clear pool that people will swear doesn't have chlorine in it.
So why doesn't everyone follow the BBB method? Firstly are those who would rather pay thousands a year to not have to learn. But, IMO, the biggest reason is the pool store. I learned from my business some tricks that some of our competitors use that I see in them. If you make your living off of selling something overpriced to people who do not know any better, you will do anything to keep them from switching to a lower cost better result system. So if you can't compete by educating the consumer, you must lie. To save business they will lie about bleach destroying your liner and use lines like "would you use pool chemicals in your laundry?" They will tell you that chlorine burns eyes and causes itchy skin. They will do whatever they can to keep the cash flowing.
So remember, BBB isn't necessarily a good versus bad scenario. But when one side uses education to help you make an informed decision, and another side uses the hard sell and spreads misinformation to keep you from switching, well, I will let you make your own decisions on that.
borax has the opposite affect as muriatic acid.
Very well said Donaldson
+10 Donaldson!!!! 