Soda Ash or Sodium Bicarbonate for KH?

[Reefer Rob]

Soda ash only temporarily raises the PH so you end up with PH swings... as well as precipitation. A stable, slightly lower PH is better IMO.

[paddyob]

Originally Posted by Reefer Rob

Soda ash only temporarily raises the PH so you end up with PH swings... as well as precipitation. A stable, slightly lower PH is better IMO.

+1

[lastlight]

Here's where I was getting my info:

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...t-instructions

Use Recipe 1 if pH is between 7.8 and 8.3

Use Recipe 2 if pH is above 8.3

So now I'm confused. Says right on there recipe 1 is most common?

Why would I get swings if I'm using a doser and it's being spread out evenly throughout the day?

[Reefer Rob]

I even dosed 20 times a day, and the PH still went up when the Sodium Carbonate was dosed, then it would slowly normalize due to the CO2 level in the room. Dosing Sodium Bicarbonate did not effect the PH when it was dosed.

[lastlight]

Originally Posted by Reefer Rob

I even dosed 20 times a day, and the PH still went up when the Sodium Carbonate was dosed, then it would slowly normalize due to the CO2 level in the room. Dosing Sodium Bicarbonate did not effect the PH when it was dosed.

Did you bake yours?

[Reefer Rob]

No, it was high density soda ash. The baked stuff is likely much more gentle.

[paddyob]

I thought baking it changed it to something else?

Also, Using a doser may change product for all I know, but I'm an occasional ( twice weekly) doser. Bicarbonate is my choice anyhow. Based on brs video.

[lastlight]

Originally Posted by Reefer Rob

No, it was high density soda ash. The baked stuff is likely much more gentle.

No I meant your baking soda... don't most people bake theirs?

I actually thought baking the baking soda turned it INTO sodium carbonate (soda ash)?