Enhance Your Pool Water Analysis in Australia: Borate & Phosphate Insta‑TEST Strips

11, Jul 2025

When you’re searching for reliable pool water analyzers in Australia or pool water testing equipment in Australia, LaMotte Pacific’s specialty Insta‑TEST® strips offer professional-quality readings with lightning-fast convenience. Let’s dive into the Borate and Phosphate strips and why they’re essential for Aussie pools.

Insta‑TEST® Borate Test Strips

  • Measures borate levels at 0, 15, 30, 50, and 80 ppm in just 15 seconds
  • Each bottle contains 25 strips in a waterproof pop‑top vial lined with desiccant to protect against moisture and UV—ideal for Australia’s sun and heat
  • Perfect for ensuring optimal borate concentration which helps buffer pH, stabilise chlorine, and prevent algae.

Insta‑TEST® PRO Low Range Phosphate Test Strips

  • Test for phosphate levels from 0 up to 2,500 ppb (with increments at 0, 100, 200, 300, 500, 1,000, 2,500 ppb)
  • Provides color results in just 15 seconds—no waiting around
  • Packaged as 25 strips per bottle, with trilingual instructions and secure pop‑top desiccant liners

Why Borate and Phosphate Matter for Aussie Pools

  • Borate helps stabilise pH, improves chlorine effectiveness, and inhibits algae growth. In hard or hot Australian climates, maintaining 30–50 ppm borate is ideal.
  • Phosphates act as food for algae. Even trace levels (hundreds of ppb) can fuel blooms and deplete your chlorine supply rapidly.
  • Regular testing prevents recurring algae, saves sanitizer costs, and ensures consistent water quality.

Benefits of These Insta‑TEST Strips for Pool Water Testing Equipment in Australia

  • Fast & easy: Dip the strip, wait 15 seconds, match the color—no complex procedure.
  • Designed for reliability: Waterproof bottles with desiccants protect strips from humidity and sunlight—critical in Australian storage conditions.
  • Portable & lightweight: Handy for pool owners, technicians, or mobile testing services.
  • Professional-grade: More accurate and stable than cheaper generic strips. Colour pads are designed to reduce bleed-through and improve matchability 

How to Use Them Effectively

  1. Dip the strip fully into pool water for 2–3 seconds.
  2. Remove and gently shake off excess water if necessary.
  3. Hold the pad face-up and wait 15 seconds.
  4. Compare the pad color to the chart on the bottle or label.
  5. Record your result: Borate in ppm; phosphate in ppb.
  6. Based on results, adjust chemistry:
  • Borate: ideal range ~30–50 ppm
  • Phosphate: keep below ~500 ppb; higher values may require phosphate removers

Practical Use Cases in Australia

  • After filling with local mains or bore water, phosphates may be elevated—test and treat as necessary.
  • Hot, sunny weather accelerates chemical breakdown; borate helps maintain buffering during swings.
  • For saltwater pools or pools in high UV regions, a proper borate buffer helps reduce pH drift and chlorine demand.
  • Commercial or heavily used backyard pools benefit from tracking both borate and phosphate regularly.

Benefits Summary (Bullet Points)

Insta‑TEST Borate Test Strips

  • Fast 15-second results for borate levels
  • Helps pH buffering, chlorine stabilization, algae resistance
  • Durable, sealed packaging ideal for Australian climates

Insta‑TEST PRO Low Range Phosphate Test Strips

  • Sensitive phosphate detection from 0–2,500 ppb
  • Detects early phosphate spikes before algae blooms
  • Reliable and accurate color matching in seconds

Both fit seamlessly into your pool water testing workflow in Australia—simple, quick, and robust.

Integration into Your Regular Testing Routine

  • Test phosphate and borate monthly or after heavy rainfall/refilling.
  • Combine these strips with your existing pH, chlorine, alkalinity tests for a complete picture.
  • Keep a chemical logbook: pairing phosphate >500 ppb with rising chlorine usage is a red flag.
  • Flush or treat water if phosphate trends upward. Maintain borate buffer to stabilise your water.

Why LaMotte Pacific Is Trusted in Australia

LaMotte brings decades of water‑analysis expertise into their strip lineup. Their Insta‑TEST series delivers specialty parameters with professional reliability and user-friendly formats, perfect for Australian conditions. You’ll deal with real chemistry insight—no guessing, no delays.

For Further Enquiry Contact: sales@lamottepacific.com

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