Boric acid and muriatic acid

[cacciato2006]

Hopefully a quick question. Our tapwater here has a high pH and high alkalinity so I frequently add MA up to a couple of gallons a month I’m considering putting borates in the pool using boric acid. I’m not sure how the chemistry works but when I go to Pool Math to lower ph and input 50 ppm borates I noticed that the use of MA goes up dramatically. I think I read somewhere that boric acid will help buffer the pH, but I don’t want to stick something into the pool that increases my MA use more than five times when I need to lower the pH. maybe I don’t understand how the two acids work together with the pH because it seems that a lot of people like borates in their pools.

 

[mknauss]

You will use the same amount of MA. It will spread out the frequency of adding the MA. For instance, if you have to add acid twice a week, you likely will be able to go a week between additions.

The borates will lessen the scale creation in your SWCG as it buffers the pH rise that occurs at the cell plate face when creating chlorine.

Borates in pool - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[cacciato2006]

You will use the same amount of MA. It will spread out the frequency of adding the MA. For instance, if you have to add acid twice a week, you likely will be able to go a week between additions.

The borates will lessen the scale creation in your SWCG as it buffers the pH rise that occurs at the cell plate face when creating chlorine.

Borates in pool - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

Thanks Marty, I had read that document prior to my question but was still confused about it. I'll add the boric acid Monday when I get back and will see how it goes. I appreciate your help.
David

 

[proavia]

What is the pH and TA of your fill water?

 

[cacciato2006]

Fill water is pH 8.1, TA 340, CH 25

 

[cacciato2006]

We are drilling a 350 foot well to replace a old curb well on the property. I'm debating oversizing the well house and run both the Co-op water and well water through a RO system with a 500 gallon tank. Of course I need to test the well water when I get it to the surface but I assume its TA will be high as well since the Co-op water is also from wells. Has anyone else done that to eliminate the high TA?

 

[reggiehammond]

TA from my well bounces around a little but is generally 120-150 most parts of the year.
I don't worry too much - just beat it down with MA once a week. This obviously depends on how much rain we receive - really dry periods like last summer cause me to buy more MA.

I have considered trying Borates but never got around to it.

 

[mknauss]

Has anyone else done that to eliminate the high TA?

There is a member in W Texas that has a whole house RO system that uses it for their pool. You might try some searches ----