Added Borates - how longto wait to test?

[savdoc2]

OK, I added the borates today by using MA & borax.

Prior to the additions, my tests were:

pH = 7.5
TA = 70

About 4 hours after the addition, my tests were:

pH = 7.8
TA = 90

I used the pool calculator to determine how much of each I needed to add.

According to the adding borates instructions, it says to wait 48 hours to test. I am assuming this is meaning to wait to test the borate level, but are my post pH and TA tests reliable?

I spent a long time getting my TA down and the pH back up that I am surprised that the TA had a net increase of 20 when the additions were supposed to have a net increase of 0 - or did I misunderstand something?

 

[reebok]

my TA went up about 20ppm. have you read through this post? it should tell you everything your asking about.
so-you-want-to-add-borates-to-your-pool-why-and-how-t4921.html

 

[savdoc2]

Yes, I have read through that post several times. What I don't know is if I need to wait to test the pH and Alk for 48 hours along with the borates, or if I should adjust them right away. If my numbers are reliable, I have more work to do to lower my TA again.

 

[reebok]

sorry, I was wrong. that answer is here:
added-borates-today-t12218.html
also, you don't have to aerate unless your ph is constantly rising (and even then it's just an option for convenience). mine is at 100 (up from 80) after borates and my ph is steady as a rock.

 

[Guest]

wait 48 hours to make any ajustments to the pH. I would not worry about the increase in TA since it is not carbonate alkalinity but borate alkalinity and will not have the same effect (much like ajusting TA for the CYA level because cyanurates also add to the total alkaliniyt but have no effect on pH buffering. However the amount of alkalinity added by both cyanurates and borates is not really enought to worry about agt normol levels of these chemicals. If you lowered your TA to the recommended range BEFORE you added the borates then just adjust the pH after 48 hours and you are golden!

 

[savdoc2]

Thanks, Waterbear!

My fill water is quite high in TA (about 180) so I will likely have to adjust down again later, but I will deal with it if I am seeing a rise above where we are now.