Borax

[chem geek]

I'm still working on the full exact formulas, but roughly 1 pound (16 ounces) of Borax (Sodium Borate Decahydrate) is an equivalent base to 3.4 ounces of Caustic Soda or Lye (Sodium Hydroxide) which is equivalent to 4.4 ounces of Soda Ash (Sodium Carbonate). As for how much to add to raise the pH by a specific amount, this depends on your TA and starting pH. My calculations show that 1 pound of Borax [EDIT] in a 16,000 gallon pool [END-EDIT] will raise the pH by 0.1 at a TA of 80 and pH of 7.2 but the following chart shows more details. Please use smaller amounts and retest since I could be wrong about this! And let us know your results.

One Pound (16 oz.) of Borax will raise the pH by:
(CYA is 30 ppm; doesn't change a whole lot with different CYA)
NOTE: This is for a pool of 16,000 gallons.  Adjust your amount proportionately!

 TA  Start pH  Increase in pH

 80    7.0         0.07
 80    7.2         0.10
 80    7.4         0.15
 80    7.6         0.21

120    7.0         0.05
120    7.2         0.07
120    7.4         0.10
120    7.6         0.14

I hope this helps. Please be sure to let me know if this was right! [EDIT] Your 5400 gallon pool would use about one-third of a pound (about 5 ounces) to produce the same pH rise as shown in the above table for my 16,000 gallon pool. Alternatively, in your 5400 gallon pool, one pound of Borax would increase the pH by 3 times the amount shown in the above table.[END-EDIT]

Richard