hey Darren, what's the purpose of baking the baking soda if you don't mind me askin'? also, the rise in pH won't be detrimental to livestock if it's done slowly? correct?

thanks,

darryl byopsis :mrgreen:

Baking soda will lower pH. Washing soda will raise pH.

The Reef Chemistry Calculator to help determine how much to add:

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

Aquarium System Volume Calculator to better determine the actual water volume in your system:

http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/volcalc.html

As well as...

High pH: Causes and Cures:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-03/rhf/index.htm

Low pH: Causes and Cures:

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-09/rhf/index.htm

Dominik,

That macroalgae almost looks like some kind of caulerpa, especially if it is invasive.

BAKED Baking soda will RAISE pH.. But do it carefully. Also keep an eye on all otehr parameters. Alk, Ca, Salinity. If any start getting out of whack back off.

Algae does NOT seem to do well in higher pH's. Don't go too high tho. 8.6 MAX

Baking the Baking soda changes it chemically so it is has the same chemical properties as washing soda. But it purer as it is food grade and for human consumption and not just for washing your clothes.

I used washing soda but the problem is there is some perfumes or something in it. I did end up with a few bubbles here and there but it worked.

It isn't detrimental if you do it slowly.

The amounts I used were after starting REALLY slow and bumping up the amounts until I was able to use just a bit of soda and RO to do what I needed. I made up four cups or so and used it over the whole day to keep the pH up. This along with Kalk dosing seemed to work wonders. :)

Geez, I did not explain myself very well :redface:

Washing soda bought from the store does indeed have additives detrimental to a reef. The washing soda I was talking about is made by BAKING baking soda as described above.

Sorry for the confusion.