I just read this thread and had a question about the use of boric acid vs. borax.
I understand the need to add muriatic acid when using Borax in order to counteract the pH rise.
My question is on the other side of the equation. If you use boric acid to add borates, should you anticipate seeing a drop in pH and TA since you're using an acid?
I'm asking primarily because I am considering the borates route for my new pool. My fill water is particularly high in TA. My initial test had me at 210 ppm. I have gotten it to about 130 using the MA and aeration method. But once I get my TA below 100 ppm, I am considering using boric acid instead of borax for borate addition so as not to undo all the work I've been doing to adjust my TA with the muriatic acid.
If there is a pH/TA drop associated with boric acid, is it significant enough that it's best to stop my efforts to reduce TA with muriatic where I am now, adjust the borate level with boric acid, then finish my TA reduction once I see where I am after the boric acid treatment?
Or should I just stay the course on my TA, get it where I want it, then go after borates?
I understand the need to add muriatic acid when using Borax in order to counteract the pH rise.
My question is on the other side of the equation. If you use boric acid to add borates, should you anticipate seeing a drop in pH and TA since you're using an acid?
I'm asking primarily because I am considering the borates route for my new pool. My fill water is particularly high in TA. My initial test had me at 210 ppm. I have gotten it to about 130 using the MA and aeration method. But once I get my TA below 100 ppm, I am considering using boric acid instead of borax for borate addition so as not to undo all the work I've been doing to adjust my TA with the muriatic acid.
If there is a pH/TA drop associated with boric acid, is it significant enough that it's best to stop my efforts to reduce TA with muriatic where I am now, adjust the borate level with boric acid, then finish my TA reduction once I see where I am after the boric acid treatment?
Or should I just stay the course on my TA, get it where I want it, then go after borates?