Alk, Calcium, etc

[msujohn]

1. Baking soda for alk and calcium chloride for calcium.

2. Yes.

3. Start it right away. You may need to tweak the limewater over time based on the tank alkalinity (not pH or calcium).

Thanks for the response. Should I use baking soda or Sodium Biocarbonate to raise alk? I'm looking to buy my Kalk in bulk from BRS, where do I get the Sodium Biocarbonate/Calcium Chloride from (do i use liquid or powder)? It seems like BRS only sells large quantities and I'm assuming I only need a little bit to get parameters in line.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. Get it from a grocery store.

Calcium chloride can be many brands from many sources, such as BRS. I'd buy a solid and disslove it in fresh water myself.

Kent Turbo calcium is calcium chloride, and it may come in smaller bottles. Almost any normal calcium supplement will do, with a very few exceptions, such as Tropic Marin Biocalcium which also boosts alkalinity.