CH Test Question

[chem geek]

Donnie,

Yes, you are right that adding Borax raises the pH so when this is initially done you add acid right after each addition so your pH won't change. Of course, once you've reached 50 ppm then you shouldn't need to add any more Borax (and associated acid) and it should stick around and not decrease, just like Calcium in CH (except for splash-out and backwash, of course).

Since adding 50 ppm Borates is easy to do, but hard to undo (drain and refill or continuous dilution), you might want to first just try getting your TA down to 90 since that should improve your situation. As for whether the amount of acid you are adding is "normal", it's really a matter of your convenience. If the time and cost doesn't bother you, then it's OK. If it's a problem, then know that lower TA and the use of Borates can help.

By the way, eventually your TA will drop over time due to your frequent additions of acid so if you don't want to drop your TA quickly through the Lowering Your Alkalinity procedure, then you can just be patient with what you are currently doing and you should see your TA drop and your acid usage drop (though it will take some time for this to occur). Just don't add any pH Up product that is Sodium Carbonate (nor Alkalinity Up that is Sodium Bicarbonate) or else you'll increase your TA and undo your progress.

Richard