Recent content by sks23cu

  1. sks23cu

    The Pool Calculator

    Who is "they"? On the App Store page the support email is "[email protected]". Isn't that you?
  2. sks23cu

    The Pool Calculator

    Jason, I've used http://www.poolcalculator.com/ for many years. I liked it so much that I bought 2 copies of the iPhone App, http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pool-cal ... 76581?mt=8, one for myself and one for my daughter. But I have an issue with the App and tried to email support (you) and got a...
  3. sks23cu

    Acid Magic

    I think the availability of MA will be a problem for me. Last year I looked in Home Depot and Lowes and they only had alternatives. I finally found MA at my local Ace Hardware store. But when I went there this year, they had this Acid Magic. I think retailers are moving to these alternatives...
  4. sks23cu

    Acid Magic

    Any problems using Acid Magic in lieu of Muriatic Acid? See http://www.certol.com/AcidMagicHome.aspx
  5. sks23cu

    How does a SWG work?

    Yes, but "Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), also known as lye and caustic soda, is a caustic metallic base". Isn't that a bit harmful to equipment and people? You might say the levels are very low. But I was told that the reason the SWG works is that in the cell the levels of chlorine are at shock...
  6. sks23cu

    How does a SWG work?

    Is there a web site that definitively explains how a SWG works? Not a marketing site! One that explains what happens to the sodium.
  7. sks23cu

    Are borates and salt algicides?

    Then why does the Chlorine / CYA Chart say, "Most saltwater chlorine generator (SWG) pools appear to prevent algae at a lower minimum FC level compared with the minimum FC column for manually dosed pools."? When salt is dissolved in water it becomes Sodium and Chlorine ions. What does the SWG...
  8. sks23cu

    Are borates and salt algicides?

    This past Spring I brought my pool's borate level up to 30 ppm and salt up to 1000 ppm. I've noticed that the pool remains crystal clear even if the chlorine levels drop way below recommended. Yesterday I tested and the chlorine was 0 ppm on the Chlorine Drop test. But the pool was crystal...
  9. sks23cu

    Noticable benefits of borates

    We've been using some borax for many years because it helps us keep the pool clean easier; e.g., no ugly water line ring to scrub away. This year we decided to borate the pool to 30 ppm when we opened it in May. Unfortunately we haven't been able to use the pool yet this year because of all the...
  10. sks23cu

    Soda: Baking versus Washing

    A clear and sparkling explanation! Thank you Richard!
  11. sks23cu

    Soda: Baking versus Washing

    I decided to raise my pH with Soda and found that Jason's Pool Calculator recommends using Washing Soda, which is Sodium Carbonate. But in the section for Total Alkalinity, the Pool Calculator recommends using Baking Soda, which is Sodium Bicarbonate. I tried searching this forum for an...
  12. sks23cu

    So you want to add borates to your pool--Why and How

    I've been using Borax for at least 5 years now. I started using it as a pH increaser after reading Ben Powell's web page on it. I remember the first two things my wife and I noticed was that we had much less algae, AND the vinyl liner was squeaky clean! Also, the usual scum line at water's edge...
  13. sks23cu

    So you want to add borates to your pool--Why and How

    Great price, Brian! So you got it for 2.54 / ( 76/16 ) = $0.53474 / lb. = $2.67 / 5 lb = $13.37 / 25 lb. Certainly a bargain compared to http://www.cqconcepts.com/chem_sodiumborate.php prices of $11.38/5 lb and $33.08/25 lb.
  14. sks23cu

    So you want to add borates to your pool--Why and How

    A quick search for "20 mule team borax" on Google results in prices of $4.09+/76 oz. I think local supermarkets sell for less than this. http://www.cqconcepts.com/chem_sodiumborate.php lists two prices: $11.38/5 lb and $33.08/25 lb. The Google price per 5 pounds is 5 * 4.09 / (76/16) = $4.30 /...
  15. sks23cu

    Liquid Chlorine Banned at Texas Pool Stores?

    What does "Balanced" mean? (second image) Does it have something in it besides bleach?