Baking soda versus borax

[EDEJARNATT1966]

If my test shows I need to raise PH and I need to add borax can I use baking soda ? I am confused on the info relating to both. Thanks for any help.

 

[mknauss]

Welcome to the forum.
Baking Soda = big TA change, small pH change
Borax = Big pH change, small TA change
Washing Soda = big pH change, big TA change. Probably more TA change than you want.

Depending on our conditions, it is best to get your TA to 50+, then use aeration to raise the pH. Chemically raising pH is rarely necessary.

 

[IceShadow]

What is your current pH level? If it's 7.0 or higher, you really don't need to chemically increase it. Only if it's below 7.0 would I recommend chemically changing the pH level.

 

[LoneWolfArcher]

What is your current pH level? If it's 7.0 or higher, you really don't need to chemically increase it. Only if it's below 7.0 would I recommend chemically changing the pH level.

Question on this, I thought the test didn't really show below 7.0 very well? So if you are 7 you could actually be lower than that? Am I not remembering that correctly?

 

[LoneWolfArcher]

Welcome to the forum.
Baking Soda = big TA change, small pH change
Borax = Big pH change, small TA change
Washing Soda = big pH change, big TA change. Probably more TA change than you want.

Depending on our conditions, it is best to get your TA to 50+, then use aeration to raise the pH. Chemically raising pH is rarely necessary.

Just a quick note on this. I love the way Borax makes my pool water feel! So I will usually use it to adjust pH, after getting the TA in range.

 

[clambert1273]

Question on this, I thought the test didn't really show below 7.0 very well? So if you are 7 you could actually be lower than that? Am I not remembering that correctly?

The block will show down to 6.8 I believe but stops at like 8.2 so can't tell if higher or lower than max - min of the test.

 

[EDEJARNATT1966]

Welcome to the forum.
Baking Soda = big TA change, small pH change
Borax = Big pH change, small TA change
Washing Soda = big pH change, big TA change. Probably more TA change than you want.

Depending on our conditions, it is best to get your TA to 50+, then use aeration to raise the pH. Chemically raising pH is rarely necessary.

Thank you! I had my test run at a pool store so I could adjust. Ph was 6.6. T

Welcome to the forum.
Baking Soda = big TA change, small pH change
Borax = Big pH change, small TA change
Washing Soda = big pH change, big TA change. Probably more TA change than you want.

Depending on our conditions, it is best to get your TA to 50+, then use aeration to raise the pH. Chemically raising pH is rarely necessary.

Thank you! Your info was very helpful!