Baking Soda

[JustinGr]

Can you over do the baking soda? I used the calculator on figuring out how much baking soda to add to obtain a certain level. I mixed this up in the RODI top-off water and use it when topping off the tank. Will the Alk continue to raise if I continue to keep adding it or is there a max saturation point and the rest is just "unused" by the system?

My PH was 7.8, Alk was undetectable, Calc was 520 (odd numbers I know), I started to use the Baked Baking Soda and after a few days, PH was 8.3, Alk was 6 and Calc was still 500+. Just wanted to know if I can keep this top-off process going or should I stop at some point.

 

[nanojg]

Alk will continue to rise if you add more than your tank uses. I'm really not sure what you are trying to ask. If alk gets too high it will precipitate out as calcium carbonate.

 

[JustinGr]

Alk will continue to rise if you add more than your tank uses. I'm really not sure what you are trying to ask. If alk gets too high it will precipitate out as calcium carbonate.

Thanks, should have been more clear. Just wondering if I can overdose the baking soda. So far no "snow" but I will keep an eye on it. I was just unsure if this was a one time trick or something I do everyday from now on to keep my alk at the proper levels.

 

[nanojg]

Yes, most people who dose 2 part add both parts every day to make up for calc and alk that is consumed by the tank. I wouldnt expect any snow from adding raw, un-baked baking soda, but if alk gets too high you will see precipitation.

 

[bertoni]

Baking soda can be overdosed. I'd just watch the alkalinity level and get a trend line to see how much the tank will require.

 

[FrogfishFeeder]

Baking soda is like any of the expensive "reef brand name" addatives, and needs to be dosed at the rate it is used in your tank, determined by testing regularly.

Whether you need to add once a day or once a week will be determined by the amount of calcifacation going on in your tank.

If you got lots of coraline, that stuff loves to suck up the kh.
And if you dont, youll see it start to take off now that your raising th kh.

I like kh of 9/10ish, thats me and my tank tho....