In praise of Borates

[astronaut888]

Posted a couple of weeks ago about going ahead w/ borate (borax) addition

Added enough per pool math to bring borates to 50ppm (although I have yet to test for specific levels)
Well, a few days post addition I have noticed that my chlorine demand has dropped pretty dramatically.
Enough so that I had to test a couple of times to be sure I wasn't doing something wrong.

I was typically having to add around 90oz of 8.25% per day and it has now dropped to around 30oz per day.
That is with super high heat and sunny days here too.

The first day I noticed it was after a day FULL of people and even a dog or 2 jumping in randomly from time to time.

I don't know if something else is contributing to the lower chlorine demand, as it was steady for weeks leading up to adding the borax.

I also noticed that the water is exponentially easier on my eyes after the addition.

Super happy to have done it.

 

[downlo]

Very Encouraging, I think I`ll try it next season. Thanks

 

[bobodaclown]

Borates won't lower the chlorine demand. Can you post a full set of test results.

 

[mac.dblues]

Posted a couple of weeks ago about going ahead w/ borate (borax) addition

Added enough per pool math to bring borates to 50ppm (although I have yet to test for specific levels)
Well, a few days post addition I have noticed that my chlorine demand has dropped pretty dramatically.
Enough so that I had to test a couple of times to be sure I wasn't doing something wrong.

I was typically having to add around 90oz of 8.25% per day and it has now dropped to around 30oz per day.
That is with super high heat and sunny days here too.

The first day I noticed it was after a day FULL of people and even a dog or 2 jumping in randomly from time to time.

I don't know if something else is contributing to the lower chlorine demand, as it was steady for weeks leading up to adding the borax.

I also noticed that the water is exponentially easier on my eyes after the addition.

Super happy to have done it.

Cool! I am just about to study up on borates and this lower chlorine usage is going to spur me on!

P.S. Cool profile picture!

 

[astronaut888]

Borates won't lower the chlorine demand. Can you post a full set of test results.

pH 7.5
CYA 50
FC maintained between 4 and 7
TA 80
CC Zero

Typically the FC was dropping to 3.5 or 4 most days - I check after sundown at about 9pm
I was adding 90oz to bring to 6.5 or 7 and doing the same day in and day out for weeks - I keep a logbook of additions and it was pretty consistent like clockwork except on totally cloudy days where the demand would drop a bit
I wanted to be pretty sure that everything was in check before adding Borax

The only other difference I have noticed other than the affect on Cl demand is that my pH has wanted to drift a little bit higher than it was doing previously, but hasn't gotten above 7.8.

Like I said - likely a coincidence - but, the numbers have certainly changed. For the better - at least for now (!)