Substitutes for 20 Mule Team Borax

[Exlonghorn]

Recent full test showed that that my borate level dropped from 50 to 30ppm over the winter. Unfortunately 20 Mule Team Borax has become very scarce at the local stores. Does anyone have a recommended substitute?

Would this work? Active ingredient is powdered sodium borate.
Borax Powder (5 Gallon (45 Lbs.)) by Earthborn Elements

20 Mule Team All Natural Borax uses Sodium Tetraborate, I think they're basically the same, but wanted to check for any differences.

Thanks!

 

[mknauss]

Boric Acid.
Search for DudaDiesel. They sell it. Get the granular.

 

[ajw22]

boric acid | Duda Diesel Alternative Energy, Chemicals & Industrial Supply Store

www.dudadiesel.com

Borates in pool - Further Reading

www.troublefreepool.com

 

[Exlonghorn]

Boric Acid.
Search for DudaDiesel. They sell it. Get the granular.

Thanks much, always appreciate the guidance!

 

[Exlonghorn]

Another question...using the poolmath calculator, the effects of adding Boric Acid from DudaDiesel are pretty minimal versus the effects of adding Borax. Boric acid only slightly moves ph down, while Borax raises pH 10x more and also significantly increases TA, while moving Borates less than Boric Acid does. Why such a large difference in effects for a fairly similar chemistry? Not critical to know, but I'd like to learn.

 

[mknauss]

From Google:
Borax and boric acid are not the same compound; borax is a salt of boric acid. The less common chemical names of the substances make it clear that these are two entirely different chemical compounds; borax is sodium borate, while boric acid is hydrogen borate.

 

[Exlonghorn]

From Google:
Borax and boric acid are not the same compound; borax is a salt of boric acid. The less common chemical names of the substances make it clear that these are two entirely different chemical compounds; borax is sodium borate, while boric acid is hydrogen borate.

LOL, properly shamed for not searching adequately. Right after I posed the question I found this...
Boric Acid v borax