adding borax without test kit

[abfab]

I'm starting to think about my upcoming pool opening... Generally I find that my chem levels stay consistent throughout the season so I don't have to add too much too it other than occasional top ups. The one exception is PH. When I do my weekly tests I am always around 8.0 so I add muriatic acid to bring it down to 7.4-7.6. I read that borates can help as well as other benefits. I live in Canada and it looks like a borate drop test kit is not available here. I checked TF Test kits and it looks like only strips are available. I saw a post about using my Taylor test kit with added reagents but again I don't think I can get them here.

Are borates naturally occurring or should I assume my current level is zero? If so, can I calculate how much borax I would need (I don't think I can get boric acid here) using the pool math app? I understand that guessing is probably not recommended but am wondering if it is critical in this case. Is there any harm in borates being too high?

 

[mknauss]

Adding borates will not eliminate the need to add acid. It will just allow for you to wait a bit longer between additions. And the amount of acid needed is still the same.

What is your TA? With a vinyl liner pool, your pH should be pretty steady unless your fill water has high TA.

Borates are NOT naturally occurring in water.

 

[Jonsstihl]

I did mine last year without a test kit. seemed to make a difference but with a SWG my PH was drifting upwards but once I let my TA settle around 60-70 it was way better. I say go ahead with the Borax and muriatic acid. just aim for 45-50 ppm. The limit is 50ppm

there is an article about Borates in the pool school.

 

[Mdragger88]

If you have never added borax or anything containing borates (like proteam supreme) then you can assume you have zero & just add 50ppm.
I just use the strips & check at the beginning of the season, add what i need to get back to 50 (after adjusting ta to around 60ppm) & then let it ride until the beginning of the next season. It’s not something I continuously check since they’re just kind of an extra helping hand & the lowered TA does most of the work.
In my spa I never check at all anymore after the 1st time I dosed & was sure my volume was right & it got me where I was supposed to be. I just add the appropriate amount upon fresh fill (after ta adjustment) & ride it out until I purge & refill again.
Here’s the guide for more info

Borates in pool - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[abfab]

Adding borates will not eliminate the need to add acid. It will just allow for you to wait a bit longer between additions. And the amount of acid needed is still the same.

What is your TA? With a vinyl liner pool, your pH should be pretty steady unless your fill water has high TA.

Borates are NOT naturally occurring in water.

My target TA is 70. I keep it 60-80 as recommended. should I target 60 instead? What is the harm in it being lower than that?

 

[Jonsstihl]

I think the forum recommendation for TA is not lower than 50. just let it do its thing until the PH is stable or atleast more stable.

 

[Bperry]

Don’t bother with the test strips. If they do work at all, they go bad quite quickly even when stored correctly. I won’t buy more of them.