Dial in borates for smoother water management. Compare boric acid and borax dosing. Export results, follow steps, and avoid guesswork always.
| Scenario | Volume | Current (ppm) | Target (ppm) | Basis | Product | Purity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small reservoir tune-up | 2,000 L | 5 | 15 | As boron | Boric acid | 99% |
| Medium water feature | 4,000 gal | 10 | 30 | As boric acid equivalent | Borax (decahydrate) | 95% |
| Large system, staged dosing | 12,000 gal | 0 | 20 | As boron | Borax (pentahydrate) | 99% |
| Date | Volume (L) | Δ ppm | Basis | Product | Purity (%) | Amount (kg) | Amount (lb) |
|---|
Borates support buffering alongside alkalinity, helping resist rapid pH drift in recirculating reservoirs, ponds, and water features. When pH swings, nutrient availability and sanitizer efficiency can change, producing inconsistent results. Keeping borates in a managed range can reduce frequent adjustments and improve trend visibility. Because test kits report different bases, selecting the matching basis prevents systematic dosing error. This steadier chemistry can support healthier plants and reduce maintenance time over long runs overall.
The calculator treats ppm as milligrams per liter, so required mass scales with total water volume. The driver is the increase needed: target minus current. If your system is topped off often, use average operating volume rather than one-time fill volume. For bigger increases, stage additions so circulation can mix the dose and you can confirm results with re-testing.
Boric acid is direct because many systems report as boric-acid equivalent. Borax products contain four boron atoms per molecule and include hydration water, so equivalent dosing depends on molecular weight. Purity matters: a 95% product requires more material than a 99% product to deliver the same active amount. Entering label purity improves accuracy across brands and grades.
Some operators pair borax with acid to control pH movement during conversion. The optional estimate is a planning aid based on stoichiometry and entered strength and density. It does not replace safe handling practice. Add acid slowly, circulate thoroughly, and verify pH before further changes. If acid handling is not desired, boric acid offers a simpler workflow.
Records help you learn how your water responds. Use the log to capture volume, delta ppm, product choice, and purity for consistent comparisons. CSV export supports seasonal spreadsheets, while the PDF snapshot fits job notes or client documentation. Repeatable dosing comes from measuring, calculating, adding in stages, and validating with the same test method each time.
For larger increases, add in stages. Allow full circulation, then retest. Staging reduces overshoot risk and helps you observe how pH and water balance respond.
It means the test result is expressed as elemental boron concentration. The calculator converts that boron requirement into product mass using compound-specific boron fractions and your entered purity.
They have different molecular weights and contain different amounts of boron per gram. Borax also includes water of hydration, so more material is needed for the same boron contribution.
Purity directly scales the required dose. A lower-purity product delivers less active material per gram, so the calculator increases the recommended weight to match your target increase.
No. It is optional planning support only. If you do not want to handle acid, select boric acid, or keep acid estimation turned off and manage pH through your normal practice.
Log volume, current and target levels, chosen basis, product type, purity, and the calculated dose. Use the table exports so you can compare results across seasons and water sources.
Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.