Mixing Red Sea Alkalinity Buffer (B) powder

aqua_man7010 · 04/29/2014, 10:03 AM

I have used Red Sea's liquid alkalinity buffer B, with good results. Where I shop was out of the liquid, so I bought the powder. I mixed it last night, dosing the amount my tank needed from a test result, in about 1/2 gallon of RODI water, with a circulation pump. When I added it, the powder was totally dissolved. When I added it, I noticed my ph actually went down, and I haven't had a chance to test again to see if the alkalinity has gone up.

Am I doing something wrong? Is there a special way to mix it?

Peter Eichler · 04/29/2014, 10:23 AM

Most likely the res sea part B is simply overpriced baking soda. Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) will slightly lower PH temporarily when dosed.

thegrun · 04/29/2014, 10:46 AM

Baking the baking soda in an oven for an hour at 350 degrees will minimize the pH drop.

04/29/2014, 10:03 AM	#1
aqua_man7010 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Maryland Posts: 12	Mixing Red Sea Alkalinity Buffer (B) powder I have used Red Sea's liquid alkalinity buffer B, with good results. Where I shop was out of the liquid, so I bought the powder. I mixed it last night, dosing the amount my tank needed from a test result, in about 1/2 gallon of RODI water, with a circulation pump. When I added it, the powder was totally dissolved. When I added it, I noticed my ph actually went down, and I haven't had a chance to test again to see if the alkalinity has gone up. Am I doing something wrong? Is there a special way to mix it?

04/29/2014, 10:23 AM	#2
Peter Eichler Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,081	Most likely the res sea part B is simply overpriced baking soda. Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) will slightly lower PH temporarily when dosed.

04/29/2014, 10:46 AM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Baking the baking soda in an oven for an hour at 350 degrees will minimize the pH drop.