New Pool Owner: Questions

[triptyx]

What kit can I use to test for borates?

TFTestKits offers this one: TFTestkits.net

I think I heard of another, newer method in the last couple of days, but I can't recall where I heard it!

 

[Macauley86]

Ok, good. That's what I've been logging.
Thank you.

- - - Updated - - -

TFTestKits offers this one: TFTestkits.net

I think I heard of another, newer method in the last couple of days, but I can't recall where I heard it!

I think I've also found a Lamotte one on Amazon after I asked the question. Sorry about that. Should have checked before.

Thank you.

 

[Analogbytes]

Unless you are adding borates, you don't need to test for them.

 

[Macauley86]

Unless you are adding borates, you don't need to test for them.

True, but I'm thinking of adding borates in a week or two.

 

[Analogbytes]

Gotcha

 

[triptyx]

Found the post I was remembering Mccauley:
New borate drop test at piscines-apollo vs. test strip - Page 6

There you go, that's apparently a fairly accurate alternative to the test strips I linked above. Most feel the strips to be "accurate enough", but if you'd like a drop test instead, it's right there.

 

[Macauley86]

Great find. Thank you.

 

[Macauley86]

Hi everyone,
Is it normal for the PH to swing from 7.4 to 8.2 in two days, if the pool is not being used or aerated, the weather has been stable sunny, and the only chemical that was added two nights ago was liquid chlorine (24 oz)?
Thank you.

 

[kimkats]

That is VERY unusual.......Has there been ANY thing different done to or put in the pool? Something new?

Heavy wind??? I am really grasping at straws now but......

Kim

 

[Macauley86]

No chemicals other than 24 oz of liquid chlorine two nights ago. No heavy winds. The only thing I can think of is the kids throwing little water toys in and fishing them out with the skimmer.

 

[kimkats]

I would not think that would cause it but who really knows??? Keep an eye on it and log your results so you can see if there is a pattern of it happening.

What is your TA?

Kim

 

[Macauley86]

Thank you. Logging all tests and chems in the pool logger. TA is 120.

 

[kimkats]

ahhhhhhhhh that might be part of the answer! Your PH might not like the TA that high. See they work together. Look at this link: Pool School - Lower Total Alkalinity

It is the process of lowering TA. Work on getting your TA down to 90 to start with. We will see how your PH acts and go from there.

Kim

 

[Macauley86]

Sounds good. Will do. Thank you.

 

[Macauley86]

Is it a good idea to consider a salt water chlorine generator? Does it provide a benefit in terms of less chemical maintenance and subjective soft feel of salt water?

 

[kimkats]

Yes and yes! It adds the FC for you once you add the salt to the water. You will need to test it each day for a little while to find what setting to use but once you get it dialed in you are done!

Kim

 

[Macauley86]

Thank you. If I install an SWCG, is there still a benefit in adding 30-50 ppm of borates? Or is that not needed (or much of a benefit) anymore?

 

[Macauley86]

ahhhhhhhhh that might be part of the answer! Your PH might not like the TA that high. See they work together. Look at this link: Pool School - Lower Total Alkalinity

It is the process of lowering TA. Work on getting your TA down to 90 to start with. We will see how your PH acts and go from there.

Kim

I did two rounds of muriatic acid and aeration. TA is still around 110 (Taylor test kit shows a pale red color around TA 100 and full red at 110). TA of tap water is 100. I'll do a couple of more rounds this week and report back

 

[needsajet]

Borates and SWCG are fully compatible.

A possible benefit is that some people experience less SWCG scaling when borates are added. But many people experience no SWCG scaling with TFP water anyway

 

[Macauley86]

Thank you. Are SWCG and borates compatible and recommended? Or six of one and half a dozen of the other?

Any recommendation on SWCGs? Pentair? Hayward?