Dumb Question/Please respond

[KenPA]

Can you use baking soda to raise the Ph level in your tank? What do you use?

 

[new reefer in michigan]

welcome to reefs.org ken. I like Marine Buffer from Seachem to maintain ph. What is your ph at?

 

[Len]

Baking Soda is sodium bicarbonate(NaHCO3), and can technically be used to buffer pH to about 8.1. However, using backing soda will cause a serious ion imbalance from all the sodium. This imbalance can be retified by adding Calcium Chloride in correct molar proportions, but you'll need to keep an eye out on raising salinty levels.

Here's an old Bingman article that talks about this:
http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm ... efault.asp

 

[KenPA]

Ph is at 7.9. I have used Kent Marine Buffer, about 4 or 5tbsp so far and the only thing rising is my alk. level. I need help.

 

[KenPA]

Ph is at 7.9. I have used Kent Marine Buffer, about 4 or 55 tbsp so far and the only thing rising is my alk. level. I need help.

 

[KenPA]

Ph is at 7.9. I have used Kent Marine Buffer, about 4 or 55 tbsp so far and the only thing rising is my alk. level. I need help.

 

[SPC]

Posted by KenPA:
Can you use baking soda to raise the Ph level in your tank? What do you use?

-Without any question in my mind the best thing to use to keep levels in check is kalk.
Steve

 

[Adam1]

Ken,

Baking soda is the primary ingredient in most aquarium buffer preparations. Most also contain Na(CO3)2, AKA sodium carbonate or washing soda.

You also may not be getting rid of enough CO2 from the tank. This could be caused by poor water motion (especially at the surface), poor ventilation of your hood, too small of a skimmer, etc. I have even heard of CO2 building up in modern houses because they are made to be so air tight.

Measure the pH of you water, then take another sample and aireate it for several minutes with an air pump and air stone. If the pH of the second sample is higher, you need to get rid of more CO2.

In addition to getting rid of more CO2, using kalkwasser to maintain your calcium and alkalinity will help raise the pH.

FWIW, even if you use Calcium Chloride in conjunction with Baking soda, you will still end up with an ionic imbalance, because as the calcium and alkalinity are consumed, you will be left with just NaCl and none of the other important ions (Mg, SO4, etc).

HTH,

Adam

 

[Anonymous]

what's your alk level at, and does it drop at all after add your buffers(like the next day)? sometimes it takes a while for the 'reserves' to build before your pH will follow suit.i wouldn't recommend using bak. soda for the following reason-it's effects are usually short-lived(it's not a really a buffer) and the resulting 'yo-yo effect' may even 'shock' bacteria cultures if the swings are large and quick enough.(personal recommendation- try using the b-ionic-it can take awhile, but once your reserves are back up to snuff, you should be able to keep the pH and your alk level right where they should be).be careful w/kalkwasser, i've seen it cause alkalinity depletion if not used carefully, and your replacement rate from evaporation may not be able to match the consumption in your tank.(slow changes are the best :!: )

 

[KenPA]

Thanks for all the avice. I finally have my Ph up to 8.22. My alk is 3.9meq and my ca++ is at 240. I used kalk to raise my ph and still trying to raise my ca++ higher. At least now I can add LR to my tank. If I'm doing something wrong let me know.

 

[Anonymous]

kenpa-about how much freshwater do you lose on a daily basis?(just curious)also, keep in mind that fairly soon after you add the rock, your Ca and your alk consumption rate will rise as corraline, etc. start to grow.just watch your levels to make sure the top off with the kalk. can keep up(!)luck(p.s.-your future corals are gonna suck it up fast, too.