I use the Pool Math app to calculate all my chemical additions to the hot tub. With Borates I used to measure but stopped as getting consistent results was challenging at best. I just did a water change and got to the point of adding borates. This was my first time using 20 Mule Team Borax. Per the app, for a 380G spa to add 40 ppm I needed to add 18oz by volume of 20 mule team and 8.5oz by weight of 31.45% muriatic acid. I added both and gave it time but my ph was way off. Had to add another 10oz of muriatic acid to get my Ph and alkalinity back down to normal. My question is, as I don't test borates is it more likely that I added too much 20 mule team and my borates are high and I need to change some water out or is it more likely borates are okay and sometimes it takes more muriatic acid to balance? I don't want to do another water change or start over if I don't have to. Thanks!
Borates & app calculations off
- Thread starter Keaneswa
- Start date
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,880
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
It will take about more Borax to raise pH and more muriatic to lower pH when you have borates in the water.
Thank you, but maybe I wasn't clear in my original post. My concern was that by adding the amount of 20 Mule Team suggested by the Pool Calculator and then having to add more than twice the amount of muriatic acid to get Ph/Alkalinity correct, I may have added too much 20 Mule Team. So instead of having borates at 40 PPM, it may be 80 PPM. I am trying to see if other people have the same Ph/Alkalinity issue that I am experiencing and what they did to correct it.
- Jun 24, 2021
- 15,880
- Pool Size
- 29000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- CircuPool RJ-60 Plus
You really need to know your borate level to be able to use Pool Math correctly. If you enter your Borate level in pool math, it uses it to properly calculate amounts of 20 Mule or muriatic to alter pH.
Here is the "roll your own" borates drop test. It is very accurate. Post #135.
www.troublefreepool.com
Here is the "roll your own" borates drop test. It is very accurate. Post #135.
New borate drop test at piscines-apollo vs. test strip
Thanks, SunnyBlues. You have been reading and learning a LONG time to remember all those experts. Thanks for your testimonial.
www.troublefreepool.com
- Jun 1, 2018
- 16,000
- Pool Size
- 26000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
First, confirm your volume is correct.
Second, Having the borates a bit higher than 40 won’t hurt anything so long as you’re not drinking the water
- it will just mean you need more muriatic acid to lower ph when the time comes.
I wouldn’t suggest that you exchange any water just yet.
Instead, As you attempt to lower ph just use your assumed borate amount (40ppm) for calculations and see what the results are. If its consistently not enough acid to reach your target you’ll know your borates are a bit higher and can compensate a little/adjust your borate ppm in poolmath accordingly.
A little borax goes along way in a small body of water as far as ph & ta goes. Just because the acid calc was off some doesn’t necessarily mean you have double the amount of borates.
Next time you may want to use boric acid- it has very little effect on ta & ph so its less problematic.
Second, Having the borates a bit higher than 40 won’t hurt anything so long as you’re not drinking the water
- it will just mean you need more muriatic acid to lower ph when the time comes.
I wouldn’t suggest that you exchange any water just yet.
Instead, As you attempt to lower ph just use your assumed borate amount (40ppm) for calculations and see what the results are. If its consistently not enough acid to reach your target you’ll know your borates are a bit higher and can compensate a little/adjust your borate ppm in poolmath accordingly.
A little borax goes along way in a small body of water as far as ph & ta goes. Just because the acid calc was off some doesn’t necessarily mean you have double the amount of borates.
Next time you may want to use boric acid- it has very little effect on ta & ph so its less problematic.