Dosing with pool-grade sodium bicarb?

[bored4long]

What is the consensus on using Sodium Bicarbonate from a pool supply company instead of baking soda in a 2 part dosing recipe?

I have a buddy that gets bicarb at wholesale for his pool company and was curious if this was possible for use.

Thanks.

 

[jansenwrasse]

As long as it is only sodium bicarbonate and no boron or phosphorus for pH stabilization effects.

Personally I would just stick with the Arm & Hammer brand its pretty cheep as it is.

Hope this helps

 

[bored4long]

thanks. Also want to clarify what I've read: if I bake the sodium bicarb, then it will turn into sodium carbonate and actually raise pH instead of lower it?

 

[kugavin]

The Temperature for the thermal decomposition is above 60C. Sodium Bicarbonate is an alkaline powder when mixed with water. Sodium Carbonate has a higher dissolution than the Bicarbonate, as well as mixing to a slightly higher pH (or pOH which ever you prefer).

 

[bored4long]

But what does that mean to me? (Can you translate that to english?)

 

[jansenwrasse]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13207422#post13207422 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bored4long
thanks. Also want to clarify what I've read: if I bake the sodium bicarb, then it will turn into sodium carbonate and actually raise pH instead of lower it?

You got it

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

The quality control on food grade is likely better. What you want to use may or may not be as good. Since it is inexpensive, I'd stick to food grade myself.

 

[bored4long]

OK, thanks guys. I guess I'll keep an eye out for a deal on Arm and Hammer. Baked Baking Soda is what I want, right?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

If you want to boost pH and alkalinity, that is a fine way to go, yes.

 

[Amphiprion]

The last pool grade baking soda I found (actually industrial grade, I think) potentially had up to 3000 ppm of copper. Personally, I only trust Arm and Hammer now .

 

[WLachnit]

If I add Bicarbonate, I need to dissolve it completely first in RO/DI water, before adding to my sump, correct?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

That is the best way to use it, yes.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

That is the best way to use it, yes.

 

[pdelcast]

My local pool supply store sells 30lb bags of Arm and Hammer for a very reasonable price ($15.00). They also sell 50lb bags of food grade soda ash (calcium carbonate) ($30.00) that is normally used for anti-caking of things like donut mixes. So look around, you might be able to find these things bulk for cheap at local pool supply places.

Sam's club and other bulk outlets often have baking soda in 10lb and 15lb quantities very cheap (sometimes as low as $2.00 for 10lbs.)

 

[amoreira]

Soda Ash

Soda Ash

Soda Ash is not Calcium Carbonate, but a mix of Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Carbonate and some Sodium Hydroxide. It is a powerful base and will give a good kick to the pH. Be careful of dosing Soda Ash. Calcium Carbonate does not dissolve quickly in normal sea water at pH's above 7.5. It would buffer against extreme swings in pH. It would cloud up your water. If using Calcium Carbonate, mix it water and with some vinegar to free up the Calcium ions (you'll have to do some due diligence to find out the dosing).

Anyways, I absolutely love my Calcium reactor, that keeps perfect balance of alkalinity and Calcium in my system. I usually have an alk of around 10-11 dkH and Calcium levels of 430 to 450 ppm. This is with a tank full of SPS corals and coralline algae. I used to fight the constant dosing battle - involving regular alk and Ca testing, calculation and dosing. I never did come up with a consistent weekly dose and my alk/Ca levels were up and down like a roller coaster. Now I don't do any of that, but check on a biweekly basis and adjust the reactor flow if it's too high or too low. I don't do adjustments too often and my tank is very stable. The inhabitants of the tank love stability (that's the way it is in the big blue ocean). If you have a reef tank, a Calcium reactor is indispensable, IMO.

 

[jansenwrasse]

I have always refered to sodium carbonate as soda ash or at least in common names.

As the carbonate takes CO2 from the atmosphere it will become bicarbonate. There is going to be an eqilibrium if allowed to exchange gasses with the environment.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Food grade soda ash would be a fine way to boost alkalinity in a two part (or alone). It is essentially baked baking soda (sodium carbonate) that we use. Perhaps it has some sodium bicarbonate in it, as do our DIY baked things, but that is not a concern. I do not believe that it has sodium hydroxide added.

 

[pdelcast]

Sorry, I meant Sodium Carbonate, but typed Calcium Carbonate... Got Calcium on the brain right now....