Sodium bicarbonate or Sodium carbonate??

[mikesommers]

What's the difference between the two???

[bertoni]

Chemically, sodium bicarbonate has an extra hydrogen atom. In practical terms, they both will raise alkalinity, but sodium carbonate will increase the pH temporarily, as well. That pH effect can be useful in tanks with low pH.

[mikesommers]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12388839#post12388839 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bertoni
Chemically, sodium bicarbonate has an extra hydrogen atom. In practical terms, they both will raise alkalinity, but sodium carbonate will increase the pH temporarily, as well. That pH effect can be useful in tanks with low pH.


I had gotten a PH spike using Sodium bicarbonate is that normal?It was small went from 8.3 to 8.5. Didnt seem to bother anything.

Thank you.

[bertoni]

The pH should drop a bit when sodium bicarbonate is first dosed, and then it will rise some due to the increased alkalinity. The amount of the rise would depend on the alkalinity before and after dosing.

[mikesommers]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12388992#post12388992 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bertoni
The pH should drop a bit when sodium bicarbonate is first dosed, and then it will rise some due to the increased alkalinity. The amount of the rise would depend on the alkalinity before and after dosing.

I used Randys recipe with baked baking soda. It wouldnt rase the alk much. Did i not dose enough?

[bertoni]

Baked baking soda is sodium carbonate, and it will raise pH. It will raise alkalinity approximately the same way as an equal volume of baking soda.

[mikesommers]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12389560#post12389560 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bertoni
Baked baking soda is sodium carbonate, and it will raise pH. It will raise alkalinity approximately the same way as an equal volume of baking soda.

So do not bake it if I want to raise Alk?

[bertoni]

Baking it doesn't change the alkalinity effect very much either way. Baking it just causes it to raise pH more.

[mikesommers]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12389806#post12389806 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bertoni
Baking it doesn't change the alkalinity effect very much either way. Baking it just causes it to raise pH more.

Thank You;)

[bertoni]

You're welcome!

[Boomer]

Baking it doesn't change the alkalinity effect very much either way. Baking it just causes it to raise pH more. It will raise alkalinity approximately the same way as an equal volume of baking soda.


No Jon, this is incorrect. :)

It is almost ~ 1.7 x the Alk for BS. 1 tbls of BBS will raise the Alk up much more than 1 tbls of BS.

~3.5 tsp or16 gr BS / 50 gal will increase the Alk 1 meq / l

~2.0 tsp BBS or 10gr / 50 gal will increase the Alk 1 meq / l

[bertoni]

Well, in the general scheme of supplements, I didn't find a factor like that very compelling. :) It's certainly true that baking off water and carbon dioxide will reduce the volume without reducing the alkalinity content.

[Boomer]

Well, in the general scheme of supplements, I didn't find a factor like that very compelling.

3.5 tps vs 2 tps is pretty compelling:D At the same vol of BS the BBS will raise it 0.7 meq / l more than BS. IMHO a 0.7 meq / l increase is allot :D

It's certainly true that baking off water and carbon dioxide will reduce the volume without reducing the alkalinity content.

True but you can not compare them that way. That makes it sound like they are equal in Alk / vol added and they are not. And that is how people add them by vol usually or even grams. In technical terms, 1 eq unit of BS will raise the Alk 1 eq unit and CO2 1 equ unit. I eq unit of BBS will raise the Alk up 2 eq units and 1 eq. unit of CO2.

[bertoni]

Okay, point taken. :)