Baking soda

[Alwmh4]

Ok I'm wondering how to prep baking soda. I want to make about a gallon. I don't want oh to drop so I'll need to bake it. My question is how much baking soda cooked for how long at what temp. I'm currently using seachem alkalinity additive at about 5-7 ml per day to maintain alkalinity.

 

[hybridazn]

I "cook" mine at 300 degrees for an hour. 2 cups

 

[redfishbluefish]

Randy's recipe actually calls for 2 1/4 cups of baking soda (at 300 for an hour). However, I've found that I need to either cook a little longer or higher temperature, so I do 350 for an hour or so to make sure it all converts to the carbonate.

 

[Alwmh4]

Ok I'll try that. My alkalinity is a constant issue in my nano. Using limewater but it still gets depleted. Calcium levels are always high at about 580-600

 

[cdness]

I go 350 for 2 hours but I stir it in the middle... I also make WAY more than needed and just refil my BRS Soda Ash bottle.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Randy's recipe actually calls for 2 1/4 cups of baking soda (at 300 for an hour). However, I've found that I need to either cook a little longer or higher temperature, so I do 350 for an hour or so to make sure it all converts to the carbonate.

Yes, it is like a turkey. The more you bake at once (i.e., a bigger turkey), the longer it needs to heat (or at a higher temp). There's no worry about overdoing it.