Expert Verified Updated: March 2026

Pool Borates (Sparkle) Calculator

Take your water from clear to crystalline. Calculate how much Boric Acid or Borax/Acid combo you need to reach the gold-standard 50 ppm level.

Quick Conclusion
To reach a target of 50 ppm borates in a 20,000-gallon pool, you need approximately 40 lbs of Borax and ~1.5 gallons of Muriatic Acid (for balance), OR simply use 25 lbs of Boric Acid. Borates inhibit algae and provide incredible water sparkle.

Technical Comparison

FactorBorax (20 Mule)Boric Acid
PH ShiftStrong RiseNeutral
Dissolve RateModerateFast
Ease of useNeed Acid tooSimple pour

Actionable Steps

Pro-Tip

Target 50ppm of borates. Not only does it stabilize pH, but it also gives water an incredible 'silky' feel and diamond-like sparkle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Borax vs Boric Acid?

Borax raises pH, Boric Acid is pH neutral. Both add borates.

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