View Full Version : Soda Ash Vs Baking Soda
nu2reefva
10/11/2009, 07:51 PM
I am planning on using randys two part recipe #1 for dosing in my SPS dominated tank and i wanted to know if soda ash was an acceptable substitute for baked baking soda chemically it is about the same because baking soda is a hydrated form of sodium
carbonate correct?
Frogmanx82
10/11/2009, 08:44 PM
Baking soda is safer because it has a lower pH. The highest pH you would get with baking soda is about 8.2 while soda ash is about 11.
Boomer
10/11/2009, 08:51 PM
Yes, you could use it but you need to be careful with it. It has a much greater impact at raising the pH and Alk. For Alk, for the same Alk rise, you need about ~ 1/3 less by vol or weight compared to baking soda. Meaning, 1 teaspoon BS = 2/3 teaspoons SA, for the same Alk. SA is the choice if one has low pH and Alk issues at the same time.
sjm817
10/11/2009, 09:34 PM
I use soda ash for the added pH boost, and I can mix it up 2x the strength so I get more use out of 1G.
Boomer, I thought soda ash was 2x the strength of baking soda according to Randy's DIY article. AFAIK, soda ash and baked baking soda have the same values?
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php
Recipe #1, Part 2: The Alkalinity Part
Spread baking soda (594 grams or about 2 ¼ cups) on a baking tray......This solution will contain about 1,900 meq/L of alkalinity (5,300 dKH).
Recipe #2, Part 2: The Alkalinity Part
Dissolve 297 grams of baking soda (about 1 1/8 cups)......This solution will contain about 950 meq/L of alkalinity (2660 dKH).
Boomer
10/11/2009, 10:16 PM
Boomer, I thought soda ash was 2x the strength of baking soda according to Randy's DIY article
Yes, if it is in molar mass values or 1 meq of SA = 2 Meq of BS. When dealing with pure weighed sample or vol it is about ~ 1/3 less for SA
Raising the Alk from 5 dKH to 10 dKH in 100 gal
5===>10 SA = 35.8 grams or 7.7 tsp
5===>10 BS = 56 .7 grams or 12 tsp
35.8 / 56.7 = 63 % needed vs BS or SA 1.58 x more powerful than BS
7.7 / 12 = 64 % needed vs BS or SA 1.56 x more powerful than BS
Boomer
10/11/2009, 10:55 PM
1 meq of SA = 2 Meq of BS
I forgot :(
1 mol of BS = 1 meq unit
1 mol of SA = 2 meq units
HCO3 - has a charge of 1 and CO3-- has a charge of 2. So, in short, a charge of 2 means twice as much or a charge of 3 means 3 times as much in meq.
Mol x charge = meq
nu2reefva
10/12/2009, 07:01 AM
ok thanks guys i think ill just buy some bakingsoda in bulk at sams club and make my alk that way.
Frogmanx82
10/15/2009, 07:28 AM
If you put baking soda in the oven at 300F it turns into soda ash pretty quick. 10 grams of baking soda would yield about 7.2 grams of soda ash as the weight loss is in water and carbon dioxide released to the air.
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