Calcium ?

[Beverly]

Originally Posted by Invigor

I remember reading somehting about that, what's the benifits to baking it as opposed to using it "raw"?

Both "baked" baking soda and baking soda raise alk levels. "Baked" baking soda raises pH while baking soda lowers pH. Depending on the pH level in any of my three tanks, I use various mixes of "baked" baking soda and baking soda to either keep pH the same, raise it, or lower it. There is a recipe of how to mix the "baked" baking soda and baking soda on RC somewhere. Have tried to search for it just now, but the searhc function is currently overloaded. Will try again later.

Use the The Reef Chemistry Calculator to calculate how much you need.

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

To "bake" baking soda:

Spread baking soda (594 grams or about 2 ¼ cups) on a baking tray and heat in an ordinary oven at 300 °F for 1 hour to drive off water and carbon dioxide. Then store it in a sealed container for use.