Baking soda as a buffer???

Yes.

You can use to ways:

- Baking Soda
- Baked Baking Soda


The first DROPS the pH BY 0.04
The second RISES the pH by 0.4

So be careful with the second!



Use the calculator to know the amount of each one you will need.



Hug

 

Correction; baking soda does not lower PH.

 

sounds like an official debate....
some say they've used it with actual results though!

 

It's a bleaching agent. A high concentration can be toxic.

SODIUM BICARBONATE

 

appearantly there are mixed interpretations about the use of baking soda, anyone use it and have major negative effects?

 

Hello unclejed,

the drop of pH is an effect. It's not to use the Baking Soda to lower the pH. As i said, it's a effect.



Hi grasshopper,

i use and don't have any negative effects. You just be careful to not overdose.



Hug

 

Yeah, so be careful not to dump more than a 10-15 cups of pure baking soda into your tank all at once :. While your at it, make sure not to raise your SG over 1.050, because that will kill your tank too.

FWIW, baking soda is in your food, toothpaste, etc.
It's been used in SW tanks for DECADES. Tried and true, and it's the main ingredient in all brand label buffers. Don't make me bring the Dr. Howell thread back from the dead. :smartass1
You can also add borax (borate) to stabilize the pH and forget about baking it.
Keep it balanced with the proper magnesium and calcium levels, and measure your Alk levels when you add it.

 

ha ha ha ha... k+

 

I think there is some missing information.


Baking Soda does not RISE the pH. Maybe these products that you are talking about is a kind of Baked Baking Soda.



If you use just Baking Soda, your pH tend to drop not rise!



Be careful!!
Hug

 

now im confused, not sure what happens, ....if ph goes up or goes down. i was told that baking soda is fine but it does not contain as much ingredients as the standard buffers. i.e. sodium Borate. It only has sodium bicarbonate. i guess the real question is, has anyone had any negative effects using it, or more importantly, does anyone have a longterm tank with no problems using it.