sodium bicarb users (2-part)

[Kryptic4L]

kind of wondering myself, but i believed i used more along the lines of 2 3/4 cup per gallon. Mixed everything for days and even brought the temp up to that of tank water.

I came to the conclusion I had a saturated solution, and transferred it to another container through a coffee filter.

Havent used it yet however so im not sure, the alk kinda fixed itself during the time I was making it.

I will be following to see what the answer is here ,

[Fishlips]

I never worry about what didn't dissolve. I give a slight bend to the stiff tubing I use in the bottle so it doesn't suck up the sediment.

[kien]

I warm up the water a little bit. Actually I mix the baking soda in a pot on the stove with the burner on low. Also, I don't stir to mix I use a hand blender, so much easier than stirring because if you stir you have to poor in the two part very very slowly for a long long time.

[christyf5]

kien, it sounds like you're quite the whiz in the kitchen

You guys are still using the 2 cups per gallon then? I'll have a go at that heating/mixer thingy

[Jason McK]

I use 2 cups/G. I mix up 4G at a time but adding all the water and baking soda to a 5G salt bucket and through a power head in. I let the power head go and mix it over night. Don't have any problems will anything coming out of solution

J

[Fishward]

If you don't bake it, the recipie only calls for 1 1/8 cup per gallon. that might be why you're having trouble getting it all to dissolve. thats what i use too and i have a hell of a time just getting 1 1/8cup to dissolve.

[christyf5]

Originally Posted by Fishward

If you don't bake it, the recipie only calls for 1 1/8 cup per gallon. that might be why you're having trouble getting it all to dissolve. thats what i use too and i have a hell of a time just getting 1 1/8cup to dissolve.

yeah I noticed that on randys recipe #2 and was wondering if I was attempting to supersaturate the solution or something. I think I'll either heat or try a powerhead and see how it goes

[Delphinus]

Oh you're doing the unbaked, right, sorry. Yeah, I dunno. I found that the half recipe mixes in eventually but it just takes forever. Better off just putting a powerhead in the reservoir and let it mix forever and ever and it'll eventually dissolve in.

It's the baked baking soda that reacts too much when added too much at a time and once it's done that, it's done forever.

I still don't really know if one method works better for me or not.

[PoonTang]

Originally Posted by Fishward

If you don't bake it, the recipie only calls for 1 1/8 cup per gallon. that might be why you're having trouble getting it all to dissolve. thats what i use too and i have a hell of a time just getting 1 1/8cup to dissolve.

+1
never had a problem mixing it doing it this way. Also note you need to change your calcium recipie too if you want them balanced. Dont forget that when you change you will most likely need to double your rate on your doser.

[banditpowdercoat]

I'm going to be gettng into this soon. What is the recipies again? Ca, Alk and Mag? I have a 55lb bag of Mag, hoping not to have to mix with Epsom?