Borates in my Pool Too High

[Treetopp]

Last summer I added boric acid to my pool. I added a little too much so the Borates were between 60-70 ppm. I tested with Borate test strips I ordered from tftestkits. Anyway now according to those test strips the Borates are 100 ppm. I haven’t added anymore borates and can’t figure out why the levels went up. I thought maybe the test strips were bad. Anyone have any thoughts.

Just FYI my water is Crystal Clear. I use one of the test kits from tftestkits recommended by Trouble Free Pool
pH - 7.8
CH - 6 ppm (maybe a little high)
Free CH - 0
TA - 70
Calcium Hardness - 450 ppm
CYA - 50 ppm (I’m never sure I’m doing this test right)
Salt -3000ppm
Borates - 100 ppm

 

[AUSpool]

Borates don’t go up on their own. What you’ve added is all you’ll have. And if you’ve had overflowing rain thats required adding more salt since you’ve added the boric acid you likely have a little less.

Re check your pool volume and the boric acid dose you’ve added.

I think you’re probably still at 60-70ppm although you should be able to get a bit closer from your dose amount and pool volume. The test strips are a little vague, only within the ball park so to speak.

 

[Bperry]

Last summer I added boric acid to my pool. I added a little too much so the Borates were between 60-70 ppm. I tested with Borate test strips I ordered from tftestkits. Anyway now according to those test strips the Borates are 100 ppm. I haven’t added anymore borates and can’t figure out why the levels went up. I thought maybe the test strips were bad. Anyone have any thoughts.

Just FYI my water is Crystal Clear. I use one of the test kits from tftestkits recommended by Trouble Free Pool
pH - 7.8
CH - 6 ppm (maybe a little high)
Free CH - 0
TA - 70
Calcium Hardness - 450 ppm
CYA - 50 ppm (I’m never sure I’m doing this test right)
Salt -3000ppm
Borates - 100 ppm

The test strips go bad shortly after opening the bottle (assuming they were accurate in the first place)

 

[AUSpool]

The test strips go bad shortly after opening the bottle (assuming they were accurate in the first place)

I use the LaMott borate strips and found that they actually stored quite well. When I replaced them my out of date bottle was just as good as the new ones. But I don’t use them very often, I’m very careful when I do use them and how they are stored. The LaMott ones come in a desiccant bottle kind of like the R0870 which may help a bit too.

 

[ajw22]

Borates at 70 - 100 ppm are fine. Nothing you need to do. Anything over 50 ppm you get the benefit you are looking for.

Your borates will drift down over time as the pool dilutes it.