Can I use Boric acid from a pottery supply company?

[Grape Ape]

I think I just found a deal on Boric Acid in Seattle.

The webpage (www.seattlepotterysupply.com) doesn’t say much about their boric acid except that it is $33 for 25lbs. So is there anything I need to confirm when I go to the store?

 

[stev32k]

I looked, but was unable to find boric acid listed anywhere on the site. Do you have a specific link?

 

[dmanb2b]

here you go...you may try e-mailing them first

http://www.seattlepotterysupply.com...ROD&Product_Code=72305-25&Category_Code=RMPAC

 

[Grape Ape]

I intend to call first, at the very least I want to be sure they have enough in stock. I just wondered if there is anything else I should confirm before I dump it in my pool.

I imagine that all of their info about the stuff will be pottery related and they'll just look at me funny if I sayI want to swim in it.

 

[JasonLion]

You want technical grade, or laboratory grade, boric acid. It should be 99+% pure.

 

[stev32k]

If my numbers are correct boric acid at $33 for 25 lb is more expensive than borax - at least around here. 20 mule team borax costs $2.98 for a 4.75 lb box at my local Wal-Mart. If my formula weights are correct (61.8 for boric acid and 381.2 for borax) the cost per lb of boron is $7.76 for the boric acid and $5.71 for the borax.

 

[chem geek]

Don't forget to add the cost of Muriatic Acid needed to compensate for the rise in pH from Borax. Boric Acid is only slightly acidic while Borax is very basic. When you factor in the cost of the acid, the prices are much closer -- the boric acid may even be a little less expensive.

For 10,000 gallons, to get to 50 ppm Borates compare the following: 23.9 pounds of boric acid vs. 36.8 pounds of 20 Mule Team Borax plus 2.2 gallons of full-strength Muriatic Acid (31.45% hydrochloric acid).