Baking Soda Cyanobacteria Connection?

[Dr4g0nf1y]

I've made a very odd observation in my tank. Every time I've used baking soda as a Alk supplement (Either straight or via the Randy Solution) I've had a cyano outbreak within a week of using it.

Is there some kind of strange chemical connection between this or is it totally a coincidence that this has happened twice now?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I can't imagine such a connection unless it had ingredients other than sodium bicarbonate or was contaminated. What brand was it?

 

[Dr4g0nf1y]

Arm and hammer.

Like I said.. it might be a cosmic coincidence but it's definitely happened.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

It is hard to know with certainty, but many folks use that brand and have never reported such a connection.

 

[boxfishpooalot]

apparently, changes in alkalintiy and salinity cause sand beds to release phosphourus.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Where did you see that?

 

[boxfishpooalot]

On dsb realated journals and papers thread. The one that started the whole bb rage. Cant find it though.

Also, Bomber seemed to mention it all the time.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

If the alkalinity or pH got so low that the sand dissolved, then it might release phosphate. It won't if the alkalinity is anywhere in the normal to high range, IMO. I just didn't want folks to think that normal variations in alkalinity will cause phosphate to be released from calcium phosphate or calcium carbonate containing phosphate.

 

[boxfishpooalot]

thats cool

Fwiw, how often does sand dissolve? I suppose the deeper the bed, the lower the ph would be. I hear of people say that they need to replace dissolved sand once a year or so.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

It dissolves very slowly. I did not need to add it that often. I only added sand once in 10 years.