Alkalinity consumption rate

[Snappy]

Originally Posted by asylumdown

I'm using Tropic Marin's 2 part, and I *think* they use sodium bicarbonate (though it might be soda ash),

I just buy Arm & Hammer baking soda at Costco and bake it in the oven at 350 for an hour - this turns it from sodium bicarbonate to sodium carbonate (AKA soda ash) which is an advantage if you need to raise your PH level, otherwise you can just mix the baking soda. Be sure to pour it into the water and not add the water to the baking soda or it doesn't mix well. Making your own 2 part would likely save you some $$$. If you have any questions about 2 part dosing give me a call - I have been dosing my own home made 2 part (Randy Holmes Farley's recipe) for almost 10 years.

[TimT]

My daily usage on Sodium bicarb is presently 128grams/day. I've been making some system changes so corals are still adapting hence growth rate is not what it normally is.

Something I have wondered about is if the chemically produced(Solvay/Ammonia Soda Method) Sodium bicarb absorbs residues from the processing equipment(metal piping and towers) and how much ammonia it retains.

Another concern I have is if you leave Sodium bicarb in your fridge it acts as a deodorizer. Does the Sodium bicarb sitting on the shelf with the other cleaners and chemicals absorb what they are off gassing?

Those two concerns are why I use(and sell) Natural source, water extracted, aluminum free USP #1 grade Sodium bicarb.

Cheers,
Tim

[Reef Pilot]

Originally Posted by Snappy

I just buy Arm & Hammer baking soda at Costco and bake it in the oven at 350 for an hour - this turns it from sodium bicarbonate to sodium carbonate (AKA soda ash) which is an advantage if you need to raise your PH level, otherwise you can just mix the baking soda. Be sure to pour it into the water and not add the water to the baking soda or it doesn't mix well. Making your own 2 part would likely save you some $$$. If you have any questions about 2 part dosing give me a call - I have been dosing my own home made 2 part (Randy Holmes Farley's recipe) for almost 10 years.

Do you bake it all at once after you buy it, or only a portion when you are ready to mix your solution?

I used to use the Seachem Reef Buffer (expensive) and have recently switched to bi carb (from Tim). But if it raises PH after baking, maybe I should do that?