Alkalinity and Calcium levels

[Drummingbaker2010]

Hey guys, what is the best way to raise my alkalinity and calcium? They are a little low and would like to bring them up a little. Please let me know. Thanks.

 

[jda]

Baking soda for alk. Calcium Chloride for calcium.

Both are cheap and pure - good to have on hand. There are calculators out there to tell you how much to add.

Baking soda can lower the pH a bit for a while - usually temporary since co2 in your home is what ultimately determines most pH. If you don't want this, you bake it in the oven and drive off the co2 which does not move the pH. You will have effectively made carbonate out of bicarbonate. You can also just buy carbonate - usually called washing soda.