All About Adding Borates to Your Swimming Pool with Bob Lowry
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- Опубликовано: 2 авг 2024
- I recently sat down with Bob Lowry who is probably is the smartest person in the industry when it comes to pool chemistry. We spend some time talking about borates and their benefits and also the safety concerns around borates.
Here are the proven benefits of having a Borate level of 30-50 ppm:
Lower Chlorine usage: The Borate helps reduce chlorine usage by eliminating Carbon Dioxide and also by keeping the pH stable. Chlorine last longer when the pH is right at 7.6-7.8. When the chlorine is in the ideal range the killing element in chlorine the HOCI is at the most balanced percentage so the chlorine in a pool with a pH of 7.4 is 30% more effective than in a pool with a pH of 8.0. This is a big factor in creating the safest swim environment and the borates will keep the pH much more stable and in turn, make the chlorine much more effective.
pH is stable:
The pH won't change much in a pool with Borate in it. So, if you have a Salt Water Pool this is a must since the pH tends to rise dramatically. In fact, in a Salt Water Pool the pH can rise to over 8.4 very rapidly. You will find yourself putting tons of acid in each week just to keep the pH below 7.8. With borates in the pool, the pH will be stable and easy to control. It is a must for a pool with a Salt Water Generator. It also will keep your salt cell from building up calcium rapidly since is sequesters the Calcium in the water. This means the salt cell will remain clean and your salt system will run much more efficiently.
Water is more sparkling:
The Borate is more reflective so when the sun hits the pool the water will really sparkle. The fact that it sequesters calcium will give the water an added clarity and you will notice the sparkle is almost blinding. The difference is very marked and noticeable and it is a good bonus benefit of borates.
Softer and less irritating water:
The water feels softer and doesn't burn your eyes. It also will keep your skin and hair hydrated so after swimming your skin won't be as dried out. Borax has been used for a very long time as a softener for laundry. You will find it in the laundry aisle and it makes sense that it will also make the water feel softer and prevent dry skin.
Less Algae growth:
Boric Acid is a known Biostat. This prevents the algae cell from forming and multiplying. Thus, a pool with a Borate level between 30-50 ppm will prevent algae growth. Since borate prevents the algae cell from growing, algae blooms will be a thing of the past. No more algaecides or shocking the pool, algae just won’t grow in your pool any longer.
Podcast recordings:
“Why is Balancing Your Pool Important Anyway?” With Chemistry Expert Bob Lowry:
www.buzzsprout.com/110832/668...
“Is High CYA Really a Problem?” With Chemistry Expert Bob Lowry:
www.buzzsprout.com/110832/668...
“Is Cyanuric Acid Testing Accurate?” With Chemistry Expert Bob Lowry:
www.buzzsprout.com/110832/668...
“Preventing Algae in Your Pool” With Chemistry Expert Bob Lowry:
www.buzzsprout.com/110832/668...
“Swimming Pool Metal Staining 101” With Chemistry Expert Bob Lowry:
www.buzzsprout.com/110832/668...
“Borates, Are They for Real?” With Chemistry Expert Bob Lowry:
www.buzzsprout.com/110832/668...
About Bob Lowry:
Robert W. Lowry
The Pool Chemistry Training Institute (PCTI) provides books and courses for residential pool service technicians. We have the experience and the credentials that we impart to all of our trainees for pool chemistry certification.
Bob Lowry was a technology officer for DEL Ozone an ozone generator manufacturer. He has been a consultant to numerous corporations including DuPont, Olin, Nalco, Arch, and FMC and to pool industry companies such as Natural Chemistry, LaMotte, ITS, Pentair, and Jacuzzi
Mr. Lowry has written 21 pool and spa water chemistry books published more than 175 technical articles, written 29 “white” papers, written a monthly column for Pool & Spa News, given more than 500 water chemistry seminars, and has certified more than 2,500 students to be CPOs (Certified Pool Operators).
Visit my Website: www.swimmingpoollearning.com/
eBook: www.swimmingpoollearning.com/...
RUclips Video Index: poolmandave.blogspot.com/2014/... - A list of all of my videos.
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Podcast: www.buzzsprout.com/110832
Shop at Leslie's: Leslie’s Pool Supplies has been do-it-yourselfers and pool trade professionals trusted partner since 1963, providing quality products and services to make pool care easy and solutions and expertise to do it right. lesliespool.com/?...
Thank you david...you have made everything so much better man....well done kid
Love you David... And now BOB!!! Thank you both for sharing your respective lifetimes of knowledge with us!!!! History will remember you both very fondly!!!! Thank you sincerely!!!!!
Thank you for this knowledge. It is super helpful to me. I'm considering getting the big Lowry book to get a more indepth knowledge of water treatment.
You too Bob....hats off sir THANK YOU!!!
“Ppm is 1 inch in 16 miles “I remember being told years ago that and have told customers that and it always gets a look of confusion or doubt but it’s completely true
Thanks so much! Total newbie here.
Oh my God I’m such a big fan I commented first and I like the video first
Thank you guys...nothing makes me happier than seeing my customers pools sparkle and have that beautiful clear water...after using Borates in one of my new customers pool...he exclaimed "it looked as though you added a bunch of Evian water to the pool...and I am amazed at how beautiful the water is after raining it did not get cloudy or green". His pool turned quickly after a rain...Florida rain and heat combined with not being able to keep enough chlorine in the water made it difficult for me in between trips...this has been an amazing transformation. I had a little difficulty getting my hands on enough product...but that seems to have corrected itself. I am ordering 6 - 45 lb containers at a time and using those on a first come basis. Not everyone for whatever reason will be able to add it into their pool budget...but eventually they can. It's just important to share this video podcast with them to let them know why adding Borates is important and that your not just trying to sell them something. Thanks again for helping me to provide quality for my customers.
Thanks for the great feedback! 👍
I like you talking about cleaning pools
Awesome.
Knowledge. I want to join your coaching course, and i want to take Bob's chemistry course
I got 4 boxes (4lbs each) of 20 Mule Team for $22.69 on Amazon ($0.09 an oz).
So interesting!! How much is 50 parts per million? I don’t understand the ppm measurement ... can you explain please? I love your podcasts and videos!! Thank you!!
Bob Lowry explains ppm here: www.buzzsprout.com/110832/8063286
God's Work 🙏❤
I have 30,000 gallon in ground pool. How much borax do I need to add. Thanks this has been so helpful.
to get it to 50 ppm about 70 lbs of boric acid.
Do you guys know if Brandt brand boric acid works?
I've used borates in my pool for several years. To me it does add a silky feel to the water and some sparkle. I dont need it for any other purpose. But lately it's gotten too expensive (Spring 2024). Its about 4$/pound now, so it would cost too much to get my pool to 50ppm. My water feels pretty good as it is, so the silky feel and the sparkle isn't worth it to me anymore.
I filled my pool after a re-painting. With pH water at 7.2, I added 2 kg of boric acid for 42000 liters. After two days raining, the pH is 7.00 and the water is turning green. It seems that boric acid is not working. Any clue? Thanks
I have heard that for a saltwater pool, go to 70 ppm. What are your thoughts? If it isn’t going to make a difference, it’s cheaper to go to 50 ppm. Also, I am interested in a chemistry tester similar to what Leslie’s uses to test your water but one that is more economical. I may be taking over a route for taking care of pools, and do you recommend using a digital tester?
I think if the pool is having trouble holding chlorine moving it to 70 ppm is fine. The ColorQ 2x Pro 9 is a great choice.
Is there anything you should do to your pool before a pool party
Top off chlorine and drop pH. Go to max on standards. Also add chlorine minimum after party at least the day after. All liquid chlorine.
Will adding boric acid effect pool equipment/material. Examples like O-Rings on Pool equipment
Not at all.
Thank you for getting back so quickly. I’m a new Pool owner and love your channel. Very informative!
LEARNING to care for my pool myself. Why is the borax added in the skimmer basket?
You can add it directly to the pool or in the skimmer.
Have you used granular boric acid? If so how do you add that?
You can add it through the skimmer with pool running. No more than 20 lbs in a day.
David, does adding Borates mean my chlorine readings will be higher or does it lower my chlorine use by simply preventing algae??
It has no effect on the chlorine reading.
I'm at 50-80 ppm of borates in my pool and my pool seems to normalize or stablize at 7.8 pH. No matter how much acid I add, it jumps back up to 7.6 pH within a few hours. Is there a way to lower the stablized pH lower to 7.4-7.5?
It's hard to get it below 7.6 with borates at those levels. Too much of a buffer.
I'm worrying that borax may build up and clog pool pipes. Does borax build up that can clog pipes?
Not that I am aware of.
For my pool (7,500 gal) it is calling for 18 pounds to raise it to 50 ppm. Can I add that all at once or do I have to add it half one day and half the next?
You can add it all at once.
Sorry, If I'm not wrong 50 ppm is 50mg per liter. You have 7500 gal=28350 l. Then 28350 l x 0.05 g=1417.5 g or 1.415 Kg. This is 3.12 pounds. Am I wrong?
How do i test for borate levels?
You can use Borate Test Strips
I have a 30;
How many pounds of Borate will I need for a 10,000 gal pool?
24 lbs of boric acid powder
@@SPL Thanks! Looks like it’s available on Amazon in 10# and 20# bags.