Doseing backin sonda...Safe?

God of thunder · 11/11/2007, 02:38 PM

My LFS tells me that dosing backinsoda could be risky. Will dosing backinsoda become toxic in time?

Randall_James · 11/11/2007, 03:12 PM

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

should help you out

virginiadiver69 · 11/11/2007, 03:19 PM

Risky if not done right but it is a very common and very inexpensive way to maintain Alk.
I'm not surprised that any LFS would frown on it though, it's not in their best interest to suggest something that you can get at any grocery store for a dollar a pound.

Mavrk · 11/11/2007, 03:58 PM

I do it. It depends on you pH. If it is 8.2 or higher, then go for it. Otherwise you can use baked baking soda.

Just do it in small amounts. It can have a slight pH lowering effect (although it could be temporary). You don't want the pH to change too quickly or it can cause problems. Remember to use a calculator when doing this.

Mavrk · 11/11/2007, 04:00 PM

sorry, double post

virginiadiver69 · 11/11/2007, 04:04 PM

there are two formulas, for both high and low pH.

Paintbug · 11/11/2007, 04:06 PM

i have been using baking soda as the alkalinity part of my homemade 2 part for 2 years now. never had a problem with it. you can use it no matter what your pH is by the way. if you normally have low pH, then you will need to bake the baking soda to cook off the extra moisture and CO2. then it will slightly raise the pH. but just temporarily. but be sure to check out Randys recipe from the link above. it will explain how to mix it with RO water.

God of thunder · 11/12/2007, 03:18 AM

My PH is between 8,3 -8,4

Randall_James · 11/12/2007, 07:18 AM

if you are not dosing kalk or some other ph booster, I would get a second check on the ph.

The numbers are fine but seem artificially high. (most tanks are 7.9-8.2) Your LFS can check a sample for you I bet.. any sample you take to the store should be in a container that is air tight and completely full (air in the container and the trip can change the ph)

God of thunder · 11/12/2007, 07:20 AM

I dose kalkwasser, could this explain my PH?

Randall_James · 11/12/2007, 07:21 AM

yep

God of thunder · 11/12/2007, 07:23 AM

ThatÂ´s nothing to worry about is it?

Mavrk · 11/12/2007, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by God of thunder
ThatÂ´s nothing to worry about is it?

that pH level is fine

Randall_James · 11/12/2007, 09:26 PM

The ph level is great, in fact there is growing evidence that keeping it even higher is better 8.5-8.6 You are in ideal territory now

11/11/2007, 02:38 PM	#1
God of thunder Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Iceland Posts: 627	Doseing backin sonda...Safe? My LFS tells me that dosing backinsoda could be risky. Will dosing backinsoda become toxic in time? __________________ Not guts, no glory! Current Tank Info: 95 Gal Eheim MP, 400W coralvue reeflux 10k 4x25W T5 25k

11/11/2007, 03:12 PM	#2
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/rhf/index.php should help you out __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

11/11/2007, 03:19 PM	#3
virginiadiver69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va. Posts: 4,400	Risky if not done right but it is a very common and very inexpensive way to maintain Alk. I'm not surprised that any LFS would frown on it though, it's not in their best interest to suggest something that you can get at any grocery store for a dollar a pound. __________________ Semi-aggressive mixed reef w/ shallow sand bed 96x30x27 310gal custom acrylic w/ ext. "fail safe" overflow 125gal sump/cryptic fuge w/ 6" DSB 3 400w Plus Rite 20k MH in Lumembrights 2 250w Plus Rite 20k MH in spider reflectors VHO actinic supplementation 2 Tunze wave boxes 2 Tunze 6060 in Tunze Rocks 2 Tunze 6125 Reeflo 250 skimmer Hammerhead return on OM 4 way Aqua controller lll Leviton power panel Deltec Eco-Cooler Randy's Two part 6.5 kw generator

11/11/2007, 04:04 PM	#6
virginiadiver69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va. Posts: 4,400	there are two formulas, for both high and low pH. __________________ Semi-aggressive mixed reef w/ shallow sand bed 96x30x27 310gal custom acrylic w/ ext. "fail safe" overflow 125gal sump/cryptic fuge w/ 6" DSB 3 400w Plus Rite 20k MH in Lumembrights 2 250w Plus Rite 20k MH in spider reflectors VHO actinic supplementation 2 Tunze wave boxes 2 Tunze 6060 in Tunze Rocks 2 Tunze 6125 Reeflo 250 skimmer Hammerhead return on OM 4 way Aqua controller lll Leviton power panel Deltec Eco-Cooler Randy's Two part 6.5 kw generator

11/11/2007, 04:06 PM	#7
Paintbug Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Stoneville, NC Posts: 6,169	i have been using baking soda as the alkalinity part of my homemade 2 part for 2 years now. never had a problem with it. you can use it no matter what your pH is by the way. if you normally have low pH, then you will need to bake the baking soda to cook off the extra moisture and CO2. then it will slightly raise the pH. but just temporarily. but be sure to check out Randys recipe from the link above. it will explain how to mix it with RO water. __________________ Never ask a girl over to see your crabs!! <-Tony-> Current Tank Info: NONE currently

11/11/2007, 03:58 PM	#4
Mavrk Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: California - South Bay Area Posts: 2,775	I do it. It depends on you pH. If it is 8.2 or higher, then go for it. Otherwise you can use baked baking soda. Just do it in small amounts. It can have a slight pH lowering effect (although it could be temporary). You don't want the pH to change too quickly or it can cause problems. Remember to use a calculator when doing this.

11/11/2007, 04:00 PM	#5
Mavrk Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: California - South Bay Area Posts: 2,775	sorry, double post

11/12/2007, 03:18 AM	#8
God of thunder Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Iceland Posts: 627	My PH is between 8,3 -8,4 __________________ Not guts, no glory! Current Tank Info: 95 Gal Eheim MP, 400W coralvue reeflux 10k 4x25W T5 25k

11/12/2007, 07:18 AM	#9
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	if you are not dosing kalk or some other ph booster, I would get a second check on the ph. The numbers are fine but seem artificially high. (most tanks are 7.9-8.2) Your LFS can check a sample for you I bet.. any sample you take to the store should be in a container that is air tight and completely full (air in the container and the trip can change the ph) __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

11/12/2007, 07:20 AM	#10
God of thunder Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Iceland Posts: 627	I dose kalkwasser, could this explain my PH? __________________ Not guts, no glory! Current Tank Info: 95 Gal Eheim MP, 400W coralvue reeflux 10k 4x25W T5 25k

11/12/2007, 07:21 AM	#11
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	yep __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

11/12/2007, 07:23 AM	#12
God of thunder Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Iceland Posts: 627	ThatÂ´s nothing to worry about is it? __________________ Not guts, no glory! Current Tank Info: 95 Gal Eheim MP, 400W coralvue reeflux 10k 4x25W T5 25k

11/12/2007, 09:26 PM	#14
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	The ph level is great, in fact there is growing evidence that keeping it even higher is better 8.5-8.6 You are in ideal territory now __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"