Randy's 2 part Alkalinity question

EdReefer · 05/12/2011, 07:55 PM

Hey guys,
I've been trying for a few hours to dissolve the 2nd part of the alkalinity mix into water. I was able to break apart the solids as specified in the instructions, but the overall baking soda is still there and sinks to the bottom even after i warmed it up significantly. Is it supposed to dissolve completely??? If not, should I shake the mixture and use as is or do I have to just use the clear water above the settled particles???

Fishingpcola · 05/12/2011, 08:45 PM

I heat my water up before adding the baking soda and it dissolves fine.

EdReefer · 05/12/2011, 08:51 PM

How long does it take you? I used the 2 1/4 cups per 1 gallon. I attempted to dissolve it in 1/2 gallon as suggested. I poured the baking soda into the water as soon as I pulled it out of the oven. I'm even thinking of putting a powerhead in there overnight or something...

Finland · 05/12/2011, 08:52 PM

I found if you add a little at a time, mix it up really well, then add some more, and so on, it makes it easier. Warming the water helps also. The 1st time I mixed some up, I dumped all the baking soda in at once. I didn't think it would ever dissolve. And yes, I would make sure it is completely dissolved.

EdReefer · 05/12/2011, 08:58 PM

Hey, those comments are greatly appreciated. I was breaking my head trying to decide what to do. I just put the powerhead in. I'll give it some time. Thanks again.

bertoni · 05/13/2011, 01:10 PM

I wouldn't expect 2 1/4 cups of baked baking soda to dissolve very well in 1/2 gallon. Are you making the high-pH (soda ash, baked baking soda version), or the low-pH (plain baking soda) version?

If you boil the water, it should dissolve the baking soda or soda ash into 1 g of water. If you're using plain baking soda, it might take a fair amount of boiling.

vic8361 · 05/13/2011, 10:48 PM

I was having the same problem with it clumping into rocks.
I used to try and stir the water in a small bucket while adding it.
Now I put a power head in the bucket and add slowly and it all dissovles with out any rocks left over.
Vic

05/12/2011, 07:55 PM	#1
EdReefer Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lawndale, CA Posts: 44	Randy's 2 part Alkalinity question Hey guys, I've been trying for a few hours to dissolve the 2nd part of the alkalinity mix into water. I was able to break apart the solids as specified in the instructions, but the overall baking soda is still there and sinks to the bottom even after i warmed it up significantly. Is it supposed to dissolve completely??? If not, should I shake the mixture and use as is or do I have to just use the clear water above the settled particles???

05/13/2011, 01:10 PM	#6
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I wouldn't expect 2 1/4 cups of baked baking soda to dissolve very well in 1/2 gallon. Are you making the high-pH (soda ash, baked baking soda version), or the low-pH (plain baking soda) version? If you boil the water, it should dissolve the baking soda or soda ash into 1 g of water. If you're using plain baking soda, it might take a fair amount of boiling. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

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05/12/2011, 08:45 PM	#2
Fishingpcola Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pace Posts: 437	I heat my water up before adding the baking soda and it dissolves fine.

05/12/2011, 08:51 PM	#3
EdReefer Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lawndale, CA Posts: 44	How long does it take you? I used the 2 1/4 cups per 1 gallon. I attempted to dissolve it in 1/2 gallon as suggested. I poured the baking soda into the water as soon as I pulled it out of the oven. I'm even thinking of putting a powerhead in there overnight or something...

05/12/2011, 08:52 PM	#4
Finland Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 617	I found if you add a little at a time, mix it up really well, then add some more, and so on, it makes it easier. Warming the water helps also. The 1st time I mixed some up, I dumped all the baking soda in at once. I didn't think it would ever dissolve. And yes, I would make sure it is completely dissolved.

05/12/2011, 08:58 PM	#5
EdReefer Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lawndale, CA Posts: 44	Hey, those comments are greatly appreciated. I was breaking my head trying to decide what to do. I just put the powerhead in. I'll give it some time. Thanks again.

05/13/2011, 10:48 PM	#7
vic8361 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Port Saint Lucie FL. Posts: 334	I was having the same problem with it clumping into rocks. I used to try and stir the water in a small bucket while adding it. Now I put a power head in the bucket and add slowly and it all dissovles with out any rocks left over. Vic