sewerrat Posted March 17, 2010 Report Share Posted March 17, 2010 Two questions: 1. This is 99% orthoboric acid, can I use it to add Borates to my spa http://www.walgreens.com/store/catalog/Pes...on=push-product Obviously I'm a little concerned adding Roach Killer to my tub 2. How much to I add to achieve 50ppm in a 425 gallon spa Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatlip Posted March 17, 2010 Report Share Posted March 17, 2010 I wouldn't use the roach killer, just go to Echards drug store and get boric acid, ask the pharmacist. Just keep looking at the drug stores till you find it. Its the best stuff to use, no side affects. Once I added the boric acid, all my numbers have stayed the same, very good item to use. The pool calculator says to use, Add 16 0z by weight or 17oz by volume on 425 gal water Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chem geek Posted March 17, 2010 Report Share Posted March 17, 2010 Orthoboric acid is the same as boric acid. As for killing roaches or other insects, that is because it is at far higher concentrations relative to body mass and such insects (including ants) are unable to excrete boron through urine as we do. The safety of borates is discussed in this thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewerrat Posted March 17, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 17, 2010 Orthoboric acid is the same as boric acid. As for killing roaches or other insects, that is because it is at far higher concentrations relative to body mass and such insects (including ants) are unable to excrete boron through urine as we do. The safety of borates is discussed in this thread. So, that means "yes" I can use it, correct? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chem geek Posted March 18, 2010 Report Share Posted March 18, 2010 Yes. I assume that 1% isn't anything dangerous and is probably just minor impurities. If you want to play it safer, then you could get more direct pure boric acid products as indicated. Does the bottle say what is in the other 1%? If it says "inert ingredients", then you're fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewerrat Posted March 18, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2010 Yes. I assume that 1% isn't anything dangerous and is probably just minor impurities. If you want to play it safer, then you could get more direct pure boric acid products as indicated. Does the bottle say what is in the other 1%? If it says "inert ingredients", then you're fine. Yep, "insert ingredients". Thanks for all your help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OttawaGreg Posted March 18, 2010 Report Share Posted March 18, 2010 I wouldn't use the roach killer, just go to Echards drug store and get boric acid, ask the pharmacist. Just keep looking at the drug stores till you find it. Its the best stuff to use, no side affects. Once I added the boric acid, all my numbers have stayed the same, very good item to use. The pool calculator says to use, Add 16 0z by weight or 17oz by volume on 425 gal water Rick Another easy way to add borites is BORAX. You can pick-up a box at Wallmart, Home Hardware etc. It's used to augment laundry soap. I've been using it to raise pH/TA and find it makes the water softer. Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chem geek Posted March 18, 2010 Report Share Posted March 18, 2010 Yes, 20 Mule Team Borax along with Muriatic Acid (added separately, of course) is the least expensive way to increase the borates level in the pool. You need the acid because 20 Mule Team Borax raises the pH (unlike boric acid which is more pH neutral; slightly lowering the pH). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highmark800 Posted March 18, 2010 Report Share Posted March 18, 2010 I am unsure how to test for borate ppm? Could someone plese advise? thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chem geek Posted March 18, 2010 Report Share Posted March 18, 2010 I am unsure how to test for borate ppm? Could someone plese advise? thanks You usually don't need to because you add a specific amount and you're done until the next water change, but if you want to test for it you can use LaMotte Borate Test Strips. Though they are test strips, and therefore not as accurate as drop-based tests, they are find to use for this purpose since you don't have to be very accurate with borates -- 30, 50 or 70 are all OK. Also, there isn't a drop-based Borate test available (unless it's very high end -- i.e. there's nothing made by Taylor, for example). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewerrat Posted March 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 20, 2010 For those of you who haven't used Borates, all I can is wow!! It adds such a nice silky feeling to the water . . .it really makes a big difference For $3 per fill, it is well worth it from a chemical standpoint and water feeling standpoint. Thanks to Chemgeek and others on here. I've switched to the Dichlor-Bleach method and my tub has never been better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonB01 Posted February 11, 2011 Report Share Posted February 11, 2011 Does the bottle say what is in the other 1%? If it says "inert ingredients", then you're fine. I guess all "inert ingredients" are not created equal. This time around I used Hot Shot brand (99% orthoboric acid, 1% inert ingredients) and got a nice blue scum line around the pool. It came off easy enough, but I guess this brand used part of that 1% for dye :-( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chem geek Posted February 12, 2011 Report Share Posted February 12, 2011 I guess all "inert ingredients" are not created equal. This time around I used Hot Shot brand (99% orthoboric acid, 1% inert ingredients) and got a nice blue scum line around the pool. It came off easy enough, but I guess this brand used part of that 1% for dye :-( Yikes! Well thanks for letting us know. Lesson learned and I'm sorry for my giving you bad advice. I get my boric acid from The Chemistry Store while in some parts of the country, due to shipping, it's cheaper from AAA Chemicals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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