Adding baking soda

[Fastmarc]

What would be the negatives of adding baking soda on a daily basis?
Also, I have noticed that after adding it the ph drops. Is this a good way of controlling your ph i.e. getting it down if it is too high?

 

[randy holmes-farley]

No, it is not a very good way to lower pH because the pH lowering effect is small and it leads to elevated alkalinity. Vinegar and soda water are better choices for pH lowering, as detailed in this article on pH problems:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/ ... 2/chem.htm

Baking soda is a fine way to raise alkalinity, as described in this article:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

For routine maintenance, however, I prefer balanced calcium and alkalinity additives as described in this article:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2003/chem.htm

Long term use of baking soda can result in elevated sodium, as described in these two articles:

Simulating the Effect of Calcium Chloride and Sodium Bicarbonate Additions on Reef Systems
http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1998/dec/bio/default.asp

Additional Simulations: The Combined Effect Of Calcium Chloride
/Sodium Bicarbonate Additions And Water Exchanges
http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1999/feb/bio/default.asp

 

[Fastmarc]

Thanks, Randy.

 

[randy holmes-farley]

You're welcome.