Evan, I tried your suggestion of using borax and (white) vinegar to bring a water sample through a range of colors representing high to low pH. The colors showed beautifully beginning with something in excess of 8.2 and changing to the orange that represents the the more acid. I got to a point where the color matched the 7.5 sample perfectly. Then I added one drop of vinegar (with a medicine dropper) and the resulting color matched 7.2 perfectly.

I did not experience the ambiguity (or translucence) of color that I experience when I test my pool water. So I've got to say that the experiment for me was somewhat inconclusive.


I do appreciate your suggestion and the attempt to help.

-Jim