Are you a bad person?

I guess I don't know, but I doubt it. After all, you came here and we try to avoid letting bad people join--and we ban 'em when we find out! Those are usually hackers and snake oil salesmen. We define "bad people" as those who don't follow our AUP, Acceptable Use Policy. The "Hall of Shame" is filled with examples!
(got you chuckling yet? )

You can use anything you want in your pool--it is YOUR pool!

But Janet has answered your question. As for "pH Up!" ... you can buy it if you want but Arm&Hammer Washing Soda (in the yellow, not orange box) is the same chemical, only far cheaper. Both tend to raise by pH and increase T/A, where Borax only raises pH.

Pucks, too, have their uses. The trick is knowing when it is the right time to use them--and when it is the wrong time!