Borates Under 30ppm?

[garroyo130]

Been reading up on borates and I was wondering where the recommendation of 30-50ppm comes from? Is there anything negative to borates under 30ppm or is it simply that you wont reap the benefits at such a low level?

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Been reading up on borates and I was wondering where the recommendation of 30-50ppm comes from? Is there anything negative to borates under 30ppm or is it simply that you wont reap the benefits at such a low level?

It’s just won’t work well at that level. It needs to be at 50ppm to really see any effect on pH. I like to keep mine at 80ppm (I’m at 60ppm now) but I need to buy more boric acid.

 

[Newdude]

Is there anything negative to borates under 30ppm or is it simply that you wont reap the benefits at such a low level?

Nothing negative to being low/no borates. I have both had them and not had them. I believe I got more silky feeling and sparkle from them. But it felt plenty nice from salt alone, and sparkled plenty well without borates also.

 

[ManiacalMama]

I'm using borates to prevent SWG scale (and the resulting snowflakes) and it seems to work just fine @ 40 ish.
For all I know I'm higher though, I can't read the color on the strips very well.

 

[superdave5599]

It’s just won’t work well at that level. It needs to be at 50ppm to really see any effect on pH. I like to keep mine at 80ppm (I’m at 60ppm now) but I need to buy more boric acid.

I'm curious why you shoot that much higher than the recommended level?

I overshot mine a bit and via the drop test I measure 76ppm. Don't know if I'd raise it to the same level next summer when I open or not.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

I'm curious why you shoot that much higher than the recommended level?

I overshot mine a bit and via the drop test I measure 76ppm. Don't know if I'd raise it to the same level next summer when I open or not.

I find it’s just easier to dump the granular boric acid in a pound or so at a time and so the higher numbers work better. The pH buffering gets stronger with concentration and the algaestatic effect improves as you get closer to 100ppm. But many people aren’t comfortable with that level for fear of pets being harmed so TFP recommends it at the lowest possible level.

 

[mgtfp]

Is Meringue having a sip occasionally?