20 mule team borax vs A&H washing soda for increasing pH

[mariane]

Does anyone notice a difference when using one vs. the other? Pool Math indicates less oz. when using washing soda, more when using borax. Also, would using the borax just be a way to add borates vs. using washing soda which does not add borates?
Thanks everyone for your help.

 

[JoyfulNoise]

Washing soda will increase both the pH and the TA of water. Borax raises pH but has minimal impact on TA. The amount of borax used to raise pH is so small and the need to raise pH so infrequent that it is not generally an efficient way of adding borates in any reasonable time frame. You can add borates to pool using the borax/MA method but the amount of borax used in that process is much much larger.

 

[mariane]

Thanks JoyfulNoise. I understand it now.
I love TFP, and quick answers.