alkalinity questions????

[envelope_man]

hello, currently I'm using baking soda to raise KH. I don't know if it matters but I dip my container in the tank, then add my baking soda & mix. I then pour the liquid (slowly)in my center over flow. Is this OK? should I be mixing the baking soda with RO water instead of the tank water? also,when raising the KH, how do you know if you should use carbonate or bicarbonate? what is best?

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

No, that is not a good idea. Mix the baking soda in RO/DI water.

If you mix it into some tank water, the alk gets way too high and you may precipitate calcium carbonate.

Both carbonate and bicarbonate work equally well. Bicarbonate has a tiny pH lower effect when first added to the tank. Carbonate has a substantial pH raising effect when first added. After full equilibration with the room air, they end up at the same point (if aeration is good enough). :)

[envelope_man]

Thanks randy!!! that explains alot of trouble I've had!!!

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

:thumbsup:

These might be useful:

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners, Part 1: The Salt Water Itself
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/rhf/index.php

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners, Part 2: What Chemicals Must be Supplemented
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-04/rhf/index.php

The "How To" Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners, Part 3: pH
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/rhf/index.php

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners,
Part 4: What Chemicals May Detrimentally Accumulate
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-09/rhf/index.php