Boric Acid Test

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Dragons Den

Gold Supporter
Jan 29, 2025
38
Central Georgia
Pool Size
30000
Surface
Vinyl
Chlorine
Salt Water Generator
SWG Type
Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
What's your favorite boric acid test strips? I currently have Pool Check B03 that I purchased via Amazon.

It's really hard to tell exactly where my boric acid level actually is. According to the test strips, it indicates greater than 25 ppm, but less than 50 ppm. I've added 55# of boric acid from Duda Energy over 2-3 weeks, following instructions to the letter.

I use the TF-Pro Salt Test Kit 3 times per week, and my pool chemistry is as close to perfect as I can get it. The only wild card is the boric acid.

I'm not overly concerned because my pool water is fantastic. I'm a bit anal retentive with water chemistry after spending 33 years in the Hydronic HVAC industry. I like to be asaccurate as possible.
 
Dragons Den said:
From the articles on pool chemistry training institute
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We had similar thoughts but they never planned out with some of our 400k+ members trying since 2007. There always seems to be a new crop giving it a whirl.

What we've found is they reduce the frequency of MA adds, but increase the amount at those times. One i was looking up for someone yesterday needed over 3X as much at their parameters. (22 oz to 77 oz ? I forget exactly, something like that) You'd be lucky if you added twice as much, half as often.
 
Newdude said:
We had similar thoughts but they never planned out with some of our 400k+ members trying since 2007. There always seems to be a new crop giving it a whirl.

What we've found is they reduce the frequency of MA adds, but increase the amount at those times. One i was looking up for someone yesterday needed over 3X as much at their parameters. (22 oz to 77 oz ? I forget exactly, something like that) You'd be lucky if you added twice as much, half as often.
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Not sure I fully understand what you're saying here? What do you mean by "there always seems to be a new crop giving it a whirl"?
 
Dragons Den said:
"there always seems to be a new crop giving it a whirl"?
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Each year there's a dozen or two new folks wanting to see if it helps so they give it a try. (For a while there it was tons of people) Most see no difference than the Ph cycle i explained above.

We've had many borate rodeos, and we've learned to be indifferent about them.
 
Thanks for everyone's responses. But no one actually answered my question as to which test strips you like best and find the most accurate in your individual experiences.

I fully understand test strips probably aren't the best way to measure ANY water chemistry parameter. Recall my OP where I stated I spent 33 years in the hydronic HVAC industry. Believe it or not, I actually managed to learn a thing or two about water chemistry over 3+ decades.

The most important thing I learned over those 33 years in hydronic HVAC is that there is always MORE to be learned. Anyone who thinks 🤔 they know everything about anything is a tiresome individual.
 

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Dragons Den said:
Thanks for everyone's responses. But no one actually answered my question as to which test strips you like best and find the most accurate in your individual experiences.
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See post #4...ajw22 gave you what we would recommend.
 
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@PoolStored linked the proper test procedure in post #2 if you'd like to be as uptight about accuracy as you state in your 1st post.

It not, IMO the brand of test strips doesnt matter. You have your best chance of getting a moderately OK reading with the 1st strip. It's going to be vague and that really doesnt matter for borates. Do you have none, or 20 to 30 ? Dose accordingly and no harm comes if you're off by 20. Afterwards you should see that you have more than you started with. That's about their limit for usefulness.

Let it be for the rest of the year and next year get a new bottle.
 
That's not us. It's a for profit business while the forum is an entirely seperate 501(c)3 charity.

It's available from TFT for those who use borates. They sell digital Ph/salt testers and salt strips that TFP doesn't usually recommend either. But some prefer to use them.
 
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Newdude said:
That's not us. It's a for profit business while the forum is an entirely seperate 501(c)3 charity.
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Ah, I actually learned something... I misunderstood and thought the TF Test Kits were marketed by a TFP stakeholder given the way they are recommended here. Thanks for the clarification.
 
Dragons Den said:
TF Test Kits were marketed by a TFP stakeholder
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The same guy owns both but the rules are strict about remaining independent.
Dragons Den said:
given the way they are recommended here
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Many individual members such as myself recommend them. The kits were designed for how we test, and are better values. Take the TF 100 vs the K2006 for example. The TF100 has 2.7X the reagents for the same money. Yes, I happen to know and like the owner, but it's a hands down no brainer on its own. :)

Your TFpro got you a smart stir ($45) and better doled supply of reagents for the cost of the K2006C. Then the salt kit added the $30 salt test for only $20. How could I *not* recommend that ?
 
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Newdude said:
The same guy owns both but the rules are strict about remaining independent.

Many individual members such as myself recommend them. The kits were designed for how we test, and are better values. Take the TF 100 vs the K2006 for example. The TF100 has 2.7X the reagents for the same money. Yes, I happen to know and like the owner, but it's a hands down no brainer on its own. :)

Your TFpro got you a smart stir ($45) and better doled supply of reagents for the cost of the K2006C. Then the salt kit added the $30 salt test for only $20. How could I *not* recommend that ?
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I'm quite pleased with my test kit. Definitely a good value, and I'll certainly restock the reagents next spring. When I purchased it, I hadn't yet decided to add boric acid.

After much research, both here and from The Pool Training Institute, and other sources, I came to the conclusion that adding boric acid is right for MY pool. My pH is stable, FC is perfect, the water feels awesome, it's sparkling clear, and time will tell if it helps prevent scaling on my SWG cells.

As to the electronic pH and salt tester? I bought one with the kit just for grins and giggles and to stimulate the TFP economy. So far, it's dead on with the reagent test results. FWIW I'm skeptical of all electronic testing equipment and understand recalibration is required periodically.

I am curious why you moderated my link to TPTI? I was not aware links aren't allowed?
 
Dragons Den said:
I am curious why you moderated my link to TPTI? I was not aware links aren't allowed?
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I surfed around on it and all the links from the main page had 404 errors and redirected to an unrelated Hasa website. Maybe it shout down and HASA owns them them ?

Anywho I left the name if anyone wished to go surfing for them. (y)


Dragons Den said:
I came to the conclusion that adding boric acid is right for MY pool.
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And we're along for the ride. :)

Are you going to go with the drop testing above or 'close enough is close enough' with the test strips ?
 
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