Adding borax or dry acid?

[Gardenmom]

I also want to thank all the experts, for all the great advice over the years! My pool is crystal clear after the ‘ice tea’ water at opening, happens every year. We have trees. Just took chlorine and a bit of time. My question today is- I would like to add either Borax, which makes the water feel nice, or dry acid, which has no effect on pH. My borates are rather low. Values are:
FC 7.5, PH 7.6, TA 60, CH 50, CYA 45, Borates 25, CSI -1.00,which isn’t important on vinyl pool, Temp 84°
What is your recommendation?
Thank you!
( Before and one day later!)

 

[PoolStored]

How are you measuring Borates at 25?

If you add borax (20 mule team), it will raise pH and add a little borates. Dry acid will reduce pH, and should not be used in a pool. It add sulfates which will attack your metal pool shell. To reduce pH (which you don't need to do now), you should use muriatic acid.

I would focus on clearing the pool by following the SLAM process. Link-->SLAM Process

 

[Gardenmom]

Thank you for the quick response! I am using those lovely little Borate test strips, as there is no other choice, to my knowledge. I have added Borax in the past, it makes the water silky and sparkling. I may have record somewhere on Pool Math. I believe Borax has some algaecide properties, may be negligible. I got the dry acid idea on the Pool Math( which I love, invaluable tool) toggle. Currently, the pool is clear, looking good, just missing that sparkle and smooth feeling. I will try adding the Borax, a bit at a time then adjust the pH with muriatic acid as needed. Again, thank you! I too have been PoolStored!

 

[proavia]

Dry acid will lower the pH.
We don't recommend dry acid as it leaves sulfates in the water.
Use muriatic acid to lower pH.

 

[Gardenmom]

Dry acid will lower the pH.
We don't recommend dry acid as it leaves sulfates in the water.
Use muriatic acid to lower pH.

Thank you!

 

[Shapshftr]

I also want to thank all the experts, for all the great advice over the years! My pool is crystal clear after the ‘ice tea’ water at opening, happens every year. We have trees. Just took chlorine and a bit of time. My question today is- I would like to add either Borax, which makes the water feel nice, or dry acid, which has no effect on pH. My borates are rather low. Values are:
FC 7.5, PH 7.6, TA 60, CH 50, CYA 45, Borates 25, CSI -1.00,which isn’t important on vinyl pool, Temp 84°
What is your recommendation?
Thank you!
( Before and one day later!)

When I decided to add borates to my pool, I read up on the different forms of borates before taking the plunge. I followed the guidelines of The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals. I didn't want to have to fight the rise in pH, so I used Boric Acid because it doesn't raise the pH. I got a 2 lb tub of it off Amazon. Also your calcium hardness is too low. According to my Taylor K-2006 test kit, CH should be between 150 and 400 ppm. And follow their borate to total alkalinity correction, because borates give a false high TA.

 

[Gardenmom]

When I decided to add borates to my pool, I read up on the different forms of borates before taking the plunge. I followed the guidelines of The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals. I didn't want to have to fight the rise in pH, so I used Boric Acid because it doesn't raise the pH. I got a 2 lb tub of it off Amazon. Also your calcium hardness is too low. According to my Taylor K-2006 test kit, CH should be between 150 and 400 ppm. And follow their borate to total alkalinity correction, because borates give a false high TA.

Thank you for the information! I thought I’d bought Boric acid, it’s somewhere! Or maybe it was out of stock. Have to look. Also, According to what I’ve read in the Forums, I needn’t be concerned about CH in an AG vinyl lined pool. CH level is important in concrete and tile with grout, as it causes pitting.

 

[proavia]

Also, According to what I’ve read in the Forums, I needn’t be concerned about CH in an AG vinyl lined pool.

Very true - since you don't have a gas heater, you are good!

 

[Gardenmom]

Thank you!

Don’t know where I got the dry acid, must have been PoolStored!

Very true - since you don't have a gas heater, you are good!

No gas heater. We have Fafco solar heating panels for the garage roof, however, husband accidentally dropped a brick on the PVC pipes leading from the pool to the garage. Oops! Thank goodness it’s been hot here! H2O temp 88°!

 

[PoolStored]

must have been PoolStored!

Someone call me?