BBB method and vacation???

[CarlD]

Excuse me if I asked this before but early-onset Oldtimer's Disease is setting in!

How compatible is a high borate level with higher levels of PolyQuat? I like to give a solid dose of PQ early on in the season then add weekly doses. It doesn't kill algae but if my FC drops it gives me breathing room to boost it without fighting a bloom.

For those who are unaware, raising borates means adding LOTS of Borax and LOTS of muriatic acid to keep the Borox from sending pH through the roof.

Adding a quart of PolyQuat will make your FC appear to disappear after 48 hours so you need to boost THAT as well.

[chem geek]

I believe that the borates (which is mostly boric acid in water) and PolyQuat are compatible and do not interfere with each other. Both will inhibit, though not completely stop, algae growth. As you noted, chlorine will oxidize PolyQuat breaking it apart into smaller pieces so that creates a chlorine demand, but the smaller pieces are still effective at inhibiting algae (though they no longer act as much as a clarifier when broken up). Eventually, even the smaller pieces get oxidized, but that takes longer and is one reason why you need to add more PolyQuat weekly (in warmer water; in cooler water everything slows down).

[waterbear]

IMHO, the borates make the polyquat unnecessary. Your choice--expensive polyquat weekly or relatively cheap borax and acid once a year (and $10 for a tube of borate test strips!)
Borates do not have an effect on FC, make the water sparkle (not joking about this), help stabilize pH, reduce chlorine usage in many cases, and will lead to world peace!

Only time I ever break out the polyquat anymore is when I am doing AA for stains (and have not had to do that in a few years since I started keeping my CH higher in my fiberglass pool.)


BTW, I have to share a good laugh I just had (a bit off topic). I was browsing another forum and saw someone who is held out to be an 'expert' trying to explain where cobalt spots come from in a fiberglass pool. He was so far off the money it was sad. If he had just googled it he would have had correct info. Sad, no?

[Watermom]

BTW --- In case you are wondering where the computer class memories discussion went --I moved it to the Off Topic and General Topic section of the forum so you guys can continue having fun walking down memory lane and chatting about that. We'll leave this thread to talk about BBB method and vacations.

Thanks!

[CarlD]

I should give a programmed response.....