ALK NOT TURNING WHITE WHEN ADDED TO REEF

[NeptuneSpear2011]

Hey All!
Made a mixture of alkalinity this past week around Sunday Monday timeframe put it in a gallon jug. Dosed some today and it did not turn white when it hit the water like it normally does. Never had that happen before. Does anybody know what that means?

Can it still be used?
I guess the only way to know is to add it and then test levels

Thank you.

 

[Dburr1014]

Hey All!
Made a mixture of alkalinity this past week around Sunday Monday timeframe put it in a gallon jug. Dosed some today and it did not turn white when it hit the water like it normally does. Never had that happen before. Does anybody know what that means?

Can it still be used?
I guess the only way to know is to add it and then test levels

Thank you.

What do you use to make the alk?

 

[NeptuneSpear2011]

RO

 

[NeptuneSpear2011]

RO

Assuming that’s what you meant other than that, I buy sodium bicarbonate through BRS

 

[Miami Reef]

Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) does not cause the temporary magnesium hydroxide precipitation.

Sodium carbonate (Soda Ash) causes the white cloud you are expecting.

Are you sure you aren’t using a baking soda dominant mix?

 

[DanyL]

Are you sure you were always been using Sodium Bicarbonate, and not Sodium Carbonate (Soda Ash) instead?

Sodium Carbonate, as well as other high PH additives would temporarily participate Magnesium Hydroxide when dosed, and that’s the white thing you were referring to.

Sodium Bicarbonate is PH natural, and even slightly lowers it when it hits the water, so no participation should occur.

 

[NeptuneSpear2011]

Are you sure you were always been using Sodium Bicarbonate, and not Sodium Carbonate (Soda Ash) instead?

Sodium Carbonate, as well as other high PH additives would temporarily participate Magnesium Hydroxide when dosed, and that’s the white thing you were referring to.

Sodium Bicarbonate is PH natural, and even slightly lowers it when it hits the water, so no participation should occur.

This is what I purchased

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

That won’t cause significant local precipitation for the reasons noted above.

 

[NeptuneSpear2011]

OK, so I’m assuming that sodium bicarbonate does not turn white or precipitate as you stated when it hits the water correct

 

[Miami Reef]

OK, so I’m assuming that sodium bicarbonate does not turn white or precipitate as you stated when it hits the water correct

Correct. Also note that the dosage is not interchangeable when dosing solid matter.

1g of sodium bicarbonate will not raise alk the same as 1g sodium carbonate (soda ash).

Alkalinity Supplement Calculator - Bulk Reef Supply

Bulk Reef Supply - Saltwater Aquarium Supplies for Reef Tanks

www.bulkreefsupply.com

This calculator is helpful. If you made a gallon solution, use liquid sodium bicarbonate.

 

[DanyL]

That’s correct.

However, just to make sure - if you were getting peripitation beforehand, you might’ve unknowingly switched from using Sodium Carbonate to Sodium Bicarbonate.

It wouldn’t be the first time I see that happen.

 

[NeptuneSpear2011]

So by that you’re saying sodium carbonate is a stronger dose than sodium bicarbonate

Actually, now it makes sense because my alkalinity isn’t rising as much as I thought it would like it used to, so I probably bought the wrong thing. Even though sodium bicarbonate will achieve the same thing sodium carbonate will part achieve what I’m looking for quicker.

 

[NeptuneSpear2011]

That’s correct.

However, just to make sure - if you were getting peripitation beforehand, you might’ve unknowingly switched from using Sodium Carbonate to Sodium Bicarbonate.

It wouldn’t be the first time I see that happen.

 

[Miami Reef]

So by that you’re saying sodium carbonate is a stronger dose than sodium bicarbonate

Actually, now it makes sense because my alkalinity isn’t rising as much as I thought it would like it used to, so I probably bought the wrong thing. Even though sodium bicarbonate will achieve the same thing sodium carbonate will part achieve what I’m looking for quicker.

The sodium carbonate is double the strength of sodium bicarbonate

 

[DanyL]

So by that you’re saying sodium carbonate is a stronger dose than sodium bicarbonate

Actually, now it makes sense because my alkalinity isn’t rising as much as I thought it would like it used to, so I probably bought the wrong thing. Even though sodium bicarbonate will achieve the same thing sodium carbonate will part achieve what I’m looking for quicker.

Well, Sodium Bicarbonate does weigh more for same Alk impact as Sodium Carobnate would achieve (84 vs 54 grams).

Note that Sodium Bicarbonate also has a significantly lower solubility, so if you were to make a solution of Bicarbonate based on common Carbonate concentrations you’d likely won’t be able to fully dissolve it.