Borate Pool StartUp Calculator

The Borate Pool Start Up Calculator was developed by expert chemist, Robert Lowry primarily for professional service technicians for starting up a new plaster, quartz, exposed aggregate, pebble, or cementitious pool surface, but can be used for any pool surface including vinyl, fiberglass, acrylic, polyethylene, or stainless steel.

The Borate Pool Startup Calculator is a step-by-step, 7-day procedure for starting up a new pool or a recently remodeled pool that calculates a chemical dose for each of the steps for each day based on water pool volume, water tests made each day before chemicals are added and compared to Target values. Exact chemical doses are given. It also provides a record of all chemicals used, amounts added, the order of addition, and date of completion for future reference.

A comprehensive list of information called Getting Ready begins the process of Start Up. It has suggestions, preparation and pool filling recommendations, and other tips.

Source water is tested before beginning and results entered into the app. Recommendations are made for metal removal, using a pre-filter, a metal removal bag, or a sequestering agent.

DAYS 1-3

Each day begins with water testing and recording results in the app. The Borate Pool Start Up Calculator then analyzes those results and prescribes an exact amount of each chemical to be added for that day, step by step. It also has reminders that the surface should be brushed twice each day. The critical part of the start up is complete with Day 3.

Borate is added on Day 1 to help prevent the pH from going very high and to prevent algae but not kill it (algaestat). Borate remains in the water helping to prevent the pH from going up and keeping algae from getting started.

Calcium level: Day 1, check calcium, and make sure it is at least 150 ppm, add calcium increaser if necessary. On Day 2, calcium hardness is increased to 200 ppm unless it is already above 200 ppm. Day 3, calcium hardness is increased to 250 ppm.

CYA and chlorine are added on Day 3.

Days 4-7

Service techs and others using the Borate Pool Start Up Calculator open the record for that customer for that Day to continue the process until completed. Days 4-7 has user input for water conditions and calculates the Langelier Saturation Index for those test results. The app does not make recommendations for chemical additions on days 4 through 7. The critical part of Borate Pool Start Up is complete with the end of Day 3. Days 4-7 should only require minor adjustments to pH, alkalinity, and free chlorine which can best be accomplished using the Pool Acid Dose Calc or the Pool Chemical Dose Calculator. When the Steps are completed and the information for Days 4-7 has been entered, records are saved to the phone or device memory. Records can be searched for by date, customer name, or service tech and reviewed. Records can also be downloaded or emailed.

Days 8-28 are on one screen

Targets are given for all water conditions or parameters.