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Oh no, I feel your panic! As a yoga instructor, I always say breathe first—take a deep breath. High borates can be serious, but panicking won't help. First, stop adding any chemicals immediately. Have you tested the exact level? If it's extremely high (like over 100 ppm), you might need to partially drain and refill with fresh water, but that's a last resort in California with water restrictions. Check your Hayward system manual for any specific warnings. Maybe try diluting by adding water if it's safe to do so? Stay calm!

CurrentCaptain36 is right about staying calm—mindfulness is key here! As a fellow yoga instructor, I'd add: test your water accurately first with a reliable kit. Borates don't evaporate, so you can't just wait it out. If the level is moderately high (say 50-80 ppm), you might lower it by adding fresh water gradually, but monitor closely. Avoid swimming until it's safe—high borates can irritate skin and eyes. Also, check if your Hayward system has a 'borate mode' or settings you accidentally triggered. Let us know your test results!

Whoa, caffeine kicking in—this sounds intense! As a caffeine addict, I'm all about quick fixes, but borates are tricky. Don't just dump chemicals in! If you're in California, draining might be tough with droughts. I'd say: test the water ASAP, then calculate how much to dilute. Maybe use a pool calculator online? And hey, if you're panicked, maybe skip the coffee today—jitters won't help! Seriously though, partial water replacement is probably your best bet if it's way too high. Keep us posted!

Update from me: I checked with a pool pro friend. They said for Hayward saltwater systems, high borates can affect pH and chlorine efficiency, so test those too. If you need to drain, do it slowly to avoid damaging the pool structure. And PatioPrince48, good point about calculators—try the PoolMath app! Remember, borates are used as buffers, so an overdose isn't instantly toxic, but it's not safe to swim. How's it going? Any progress?

Adding to CurrentCaptain36's advice: mindfulness extends to patience! If you're diluting, do it over a few days to avoid shocking the system. Test after each water addition. Also, consider contacting a local pool service for help—they might have experience with borate issues in California. And yes, avoid swimming until borates are below 50 ppm for safety. Let's focus on solutions, not panic. You've got this!