is there a borax calculator?

[chem geek]

In general, the amount of Borax it takes to raise pH depends on the starting and ending (target) pH, the TA, CYA, and Borates levels. The same is true for calculating how much of any other base or acid it takes to change pH. Nevertheless, there are two types of information I can give you that can help. The first it the "equivalent" amount for each type of acid or base and these are exact numbers (i.e. independent of those other parameters I mentioned above) ignoring the addition of carbonate or borate. The second is the change in pH in "standard" water in 10,000 gallons and this is dependent on the parameters I mentioned above.

1 cup of Muriatic Acid (31.45% Hydrochloric Acid) is equivalent to 10.8 ounces (weight) or about 0.53 cups of sodium bisulfate dry acid and is also equivalent to about 1 cup of Sulfuric Acid (38.5%). For "standard" water, the pH will be lowered by 0.18 for these quantities of acid in 10,000 gallons.

21.1 ounces weight or about 1 cup of Soda Ash / Washing Soda / Sodium Carbonate is equivalent to 8.5 ounces weight or about 0.48 cups of Caustic Soda / Lye / Sodium Hydroxide and is also equivalent to about 42 ounces weight or about 3 cups of 20 Mule Team Borax / Sodium Tetraborate Decahydrate and is also equivalent to about 32.9 ounces weight or about 2.2 cups of Sodium Tetraborate Pentahydrate. For "standard" water, the pH will be raised by 0.64 for these quantities of base in 10,000 gallons.

In the above, "standard" water is at a pH of 7.5, a TA of 100, CYA of 30, and has no Borates.

So it takes about twice the weight of Borax compared to "pH Up", but about three times the volume since Borax is less dense.

Richard