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mdntrdr
10/17/2009, 12:29 PM
I have 240g total water

Alk. 1.6 would like to raise to 4

Can I use baking soda to raise it?

If so how much how often?

thanx in advance!

tcwoodrn
10/17/2009, 12:32 PM
Personally I wouldn't use baking soda. I use soda ash and it works well.

mdntrdr
10/17/2009, 12:35 PM
where can i find that?

and what would be the dosage?

tcwoodrn
10/17/2009, 12:38 PM
I got mine from bulkreefsupply.com

They provide dosing info on their site for their products.

HighlandReefer
10/17/2009, 12:50 PM
The difference between using baking soda and soda ash (baked baking soda) is that baking soda will not have much effect on your pH. Soda ash will have an increasing effect on your tank pH. If you have low pH problems, then soda ash would be a good choice.

FWIW, you can simply take baking soda and bake it at around 400 degrees for one hour. Keep the layer less then 1" on a cookie sheet.

mdntrdr
10/17/2009, 01:00 PM
TC.........Thanx 4 the info!

Cliff.........My PH is in the higher range, so u believe BS would be my best bet?

Also have no idea on safe dosage

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated!

HighlandReefer
10/17/2009, 01:03 PM
If your pH is between 8.2 - 8.4 then baking soda would be a fine choice.

You can use the Reef Chemistry Calculator to determine how much baking soda (or baked baking soda) you need to add.

It is usually recommended not to raise your alk. by more than 2 dKH per day.

Reef chemicals calculator
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

mdntrdr
10/17/2009, 01:18 PM
THANX HR!

I'll check it out

HighlandReefer
10/17/2009, 01:20 PM
Your welcome. ;)

Simply plug in the total actual water gallons of your system at the top. Then select the alk. supplement you want to use. You can also use the calculator for calcium and magnesium additions. :)

mdntrdr
10/17/2009, 01:21 PM
HR......Says 6.4 ounces total

add slowly

I have no idea what i can safely add and then test

mdntrdr
10/17/2009, 01:33 PM
Anybody?

HighlandReefer
10/17/2009, 01:37 PM
I would add about 11 teaspoons of baking soda per day until you reach your desired alk. level. This is equivalent to a little less than bringing your alk. up by 2 dKH each dose or (translated: 0.71 meq/l per dose).

mdntrdr
10/17/2009, 01:40 PM
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Thats the info I needed!

HighlandReefer
10/17/2009, 01:42 PM
"Happy Reefing"

BrassMonkey
10/17/2009, 06:28 PM
get it at costco 12lbs for like 8 bucks.


---edit---

oops misread post.