Homemade alkalinity

[cocoloco]

I just ran out of B Ionic and was going to attempt to make some homemade alk with baking soda.

I heard baking it in the oven for 3 hours at 400 degrees on a cookie sheet does the trick.

But afterwards how much baking soda to RO water ratio should I use?

Thanks in advance!

 

[justin_freebord]

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php

 

[thysrof]

Davey,

2 cups and a quarter per gallon of RO. Same with the Calcium Recipe. Dow flake 21/4 cups to a gallon of RO. Let it stand for 24 hours.

 

[Reef Bass]

The official recipe calls for 594 grams (or about 2.25 cups) heated for 1 hour in a 300 degree oven added to enough water to yield 1 gallon total volume.

 

[cocoloco]

It looks like heating the baking soda causes the PH to rise wheeas not heating does not affect PH...so wouldn't it be better not to heat it?

 

[cocoloco]

also is it neccessary to dose with the mag recipe as indicated in the link?

 

[cocoloco]

Looks like a mag supp is needed and can be made with epsom salts only...any consensus in dosing with alk and calcium together or dumping a whole gallon in at once after using a gallon of the alk and calc...thanks in advance!

 

[Reef Bass]

In the long run you're going to need to test for and dose magnesium. The "official recipe" calls for adding 610ml (2.5 cups) of the magnesium supplement after finishing off a batch of alk and ca supplements, "either all at once or over time as you choose". The mag supplement is 64oz of Epsom salts (8 cups) in enough to water to make one gallon total volume.

I try to keep an eye on my magnesium level and then add when low, versus simply waiting until my alk and ca supplements are depleted and adding it all then.

 

[sulcata1619]

The key is consistancy. You don't want your mag to spike and then drop down over time. You want it to stay as steady as you can. I dose mag every 2 to 3 weeks in very little doses. You see alot more growth and awesome color if you can keep all your perams as steady as possible.