Will 20 Mule Borax raise TA

[zeezrom82]

I’ve read through most of the articles and many of the threads, but I’m still confused. Will 20 Mule raise my TA? Other interweb sites say it won’t and TFP threads appear to lean toward yes.

Is there a definitive answer? I’m trying to raise my pH without raising my TA. And yes, I’ve read those articles, too. Still, just curious about 20 Mule and its relationship to TA

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum!

Recommended Pool Chemicals

Which should I buy? TFP's recommended pool chemicals are cheap, easy, and won't unbalance your pool water.

www.troublefreepool.com

Borax will raise TA a little.
What is your pH? Aeration raises pH. It is rare you need to use chemical intervention to raise pH.
I suggest you read ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry.

 

[zeezrom82]

Welcome to the forum!

Recommended Pool Chemicals

Which should I buy? TFP's recommended pool chemicals are cheap, easy, and won't unbalance your pool water.

www.troublefreepool.com

Borax will raise TA a little.
What is your pH? Aeration raises pH. It is rare you need to use chemical intervention to raise pH.
I suggest you read ABC's of Pool Water Chemistry.

==========================================
Frank’s Pool
------------------------------------------
Build Type: Plaster
Volume: 14500 gallons
------------------------------------------
Latest Test Result Summary:
FC: 11.0 (an hour ago)
CC: 0.5 (an hour ago)
pH: 7.2 (4 hours ago)
TA: 110 (an hour ago)
CH: 225 (2 days ago)
CYA: 12 (an hour ago)
==========================================
I know my numbers are weird. I’m about done with a SLAM and waiting for CYA to soak in.
I’m planning on lowering pH down to 7 to lower the TA, but was also interested in the Borax because of what I read on TFP about it making the pool water nice.
Thanks!

 

[mknauss]

No reason to mess with the pH or TA. When pH rises to 8, lower it to 7.6 with acid.

If you wish to add Borates, use boric acid. But read Borates in pool - Further Reading first.

 

[mknauss]

Those are not test results from a proper test kit. Not sure how you are doing a SLAM Process without one.

 

[zeezrom82]

Those are not test results from a proper test kit. Not sure how you are doing a SLAM Process without one.

I’m using the one sold by this site. I think I used it correctly? I’m also using poolmath

 

[mknauss]

A CYA of 12 is not possible to measure. For the SLAM process, a minimum CYA of 30 is recommended.

 

[zeezrom82]

I figured the CYA test was subjective so I made up 12 based on the tube being full and it only being partly cloudy. Was that stupid?

 

[mknauss]

Not stupid but inaccurate. Not having at least 30 ppm of CYA in the water you waste a lot of chlorine during the day that could be used to eradicate the algae.

 

[zeezrom82]

Not stupid but inaccurate. Not having at least 30 ppm of CYA in the water you waste a lot of chlorine during the day that could be used to eradicate the algae.

Thanks, that was my second test after my first addition of CYA. I got more in a sock in the skimmer now. This site is amazing. Thanks so much!

 

[Pam in Texas]

I’ve read through most of the articles and many of the threads, but I’m still confused. Will 20 Mule raise my TA? Other interweb sites say it won’t and TFP threads appear to lean toward yes.

Is there a definitive answer? I’m trying to raise my pH without raising my TA. And yes, I’ve read those articles, too. Still, just curious about 20 Mule and its relationship to TA

I Love having Borates in my Pool! No algae! U need 30 to 50 ppm. But if u use Borax, you'll have a fight with the PH and have to add a lot of acid. Check out Biogaurd product for borates, they have 1 product that doesn't raise the PH. I'll be getting some of that soon. Amazon.

 

[mknauss]

I Love having Borates in my Pool! No algae! U need 30 to 50 ppm. But if u use Borax, you'll have a fight with the PH and have to add a lot of acid. Check out Biogaurd product for borates, they have 1 product that doesn't raise the PH. I'll be getting some of that soon. Amazon.

Borates are a mild algaecide. You still need to follow the FC/CYA Levels
The Biogaurd product will dramatically raise your TA. Better to use Boric Acid.

 

[Pam in Texas]

Borates are a mild algaecide. You still need to follow the FC/CYA Levels
The Biogaurd product will dramatically raise your TA. Better to use Boric Acid.

Yes Sir, I do. Yes, the initial treatment of the Biogaurd that I used did raise PH and TA and it took a bit of acid. But they have a new product which keeps the PH and TA in check when u add it. I have not used it yet but have heard good things about it. My apologies if anyone thought I meant Borates means you don't have to watch your pool chemistry, bc you obviously do. I will look into the Boric acid. Powder or granular?

 

[mknauss]

Get granular boric acid. Dudadiesel is a common supplier to members on the forum.

 

[Pam in Texas]

Get granular boric acid. Dudadiesel is a common supplier to members on the forum.

Thank you!

 

[Saturn94]

Get granular boric acid. Dudadiesel is a common supplier to members on the forum.

That boric acid is also a HUGE cost savings over the Bioguard product.