Bob Lowry’s Borate Blueprint for a Better Pool

Algae pressure, drifting pH, and vanishing chlorine can make pool care feel like a tug of war. We sat down with renowned chemist and educator Bob Lowry to map out a cleaner, calmer path: use borates the right way, match your CYA to your chlorine needs, and stop fighting the water. The conversation cuts through marketing myths to show why boric acid at 50 ppm stabilizes pH and supports sanitizer performance without turning your maintenance plan upside down.

We start by reframing borates as a tool, not a cure-all. Bob explains the simple pairing that drives clarity: free chlorine maintained at about 5 percent of CYA with a minimum of 2 ppm. For most outdoor pools, that points to 40–50 ppm CYA; for salt water chlorine generators, 70 ppm often works better because it protects fresh chlorine produced at the cell and near the sunlit surface. Expect steadier weeks with fewer spikes, not a set-and-forget miracle.

Product choice matters. Boric acid barely changes pH or alkalinity, while borax-based products can push pH near 9 and add roughly 115 ppm to total alkalinity, demanding large acid corrections and risking scale if calcium is high. Bob details how pre-balancing and LSI awareness prevent cloudy water, plus practical dosing math and the limited but workable testing options. Field experience and historical research converge on 50 ppm as the effective algaestat level, with 70 ppm a smart ceiling for SWGs seeking extra stability and clarity.

If you want water that holds its balance, sparkles in the sun, and uses chlorine more efficiently, this guide lays out the steps: choose boric acid, set CYA with intent, maintain a real chlorine residual, and top off borates only when water leaves the pool. 

• borates as a pH buffer and algaestat at 50 ppm
• chlorine set at 5% of CYA with a 2 ppm floor
• CYA targets of 40–50 ppm and 70 ppm for SWGs
• boric acid vs borax forms and acid demand
• LSI risks when TA, CH and pH run high
• dosing math and maintenance dosing over seasons
• limited testing options and practical workarounds
• reported benefits of sparkle and smoother feel

Send us Fan Mail

Support the Pool Guy Podcast Show Sponsors! 

HASA  REWARDS App
https://hasa.com/hasa-app

The Bottom Feeder. Save $100 with Code: DVB100
https://store.thebottomfeeder.com/

Try Skimmer FREE for 30 days:
https://getskimmer.com/poolguy 

Get UPA Liability Insurance $64 a month! https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA

Support the show

Thanks for listening, and I hope you find the Podcast helpful! For other free resources to further help you:
Visit my Website: https://www.swimmingpoollearning.com
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPL
Podcast Site: https://the-pool-guy-podcast-show.onpodium.com/

UPA General Liability Insurance Application: https://forms.gle/F9YoTWNQ8WnvT4QBA

Pool Guy Coaching Group

Join an exclusive network of Pool Service Technicians to access the industry’s leading commercial general liability insurance program. Protect your business.

Premium is $64 per month per member (additional $40 for employees and ICs)

$59 per month for Pool Guy coaching Members - join here! https://www.patreon.com/poolguycoaching

Limits are $1,000,000 in occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate - Per member limits

     [ $1,000,000 per occurrence and $4,000,000 aggregate available for $75 per month ]

$50,000 in HazMat Coverage - clean up on-site or over-the-road

Acid Wash Coverage - Full Limits