Can a heater raise alkalinity?

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Cory

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Thought- when you burn calcium carbonate it turns into calcium hydroxide right? Could you burn sand with an aquarium heater and essentially do the same thing (in the tank)
 
I don't think you are taking the "burn" part literally enough.
 
I guess if you took liberties with the definition of "aquarium heater" and add a large cooling system to handle the superheated steam it could work lol.
 
Thought- when you burn calcium carbonate it turns into calcium hydroxide right? Could you burn sand with an aquarium heater and essentially do the same thing (in the tank)
If this was possible I think that it would be dangerous to live stock or yourself with as much power as it was take to "burn" sand.
 
I guess if you took liberties with the definition of "aquarium heater" and add a large cooling system to handle the superheated steam it could work lol.
Lol yeah i know its unlikely but im curious if it does happen underwater chemical wise.
 
Okay new scenario

Lets imagine you have a heater leaking small amounts of electricity into the water, could this be doing the same effect?

Cab electricity decompose calcium carbonate sand?
 
Okay new scenario

Lets imagine you have a heater leaking small amounts of electricity into the water, could this be doing the same effect?

Cab electricity decompose calcium carbonate sand?
Possibly but I highly doubt you could have enough electricity to be effective and not kill things
 
Possibly but I highly doubt you could have enough electricity to be effective and not kill things
True. But consider what happens when you put anode and cathode into water. Hydrogen gas on one side and oxygen on the other. And it uses very little electricity for it to work no?
 
Back at the original question, there is no scenario at any temperature attainable at room pressure where calcium carbonate will turn into calcium hydroxide while in contact with liquid water.

On the electricity, the chemistry takes place at the electrodes, not what the current is passing through. At the electrodes, one can generate many species in seawater, including hydroxide (raises alk) and chlorine (kills everything).
 
Back at the original question, there is no scenario at any temperature attainable at room pressure where calcium carbonate will turn into calcium hydroxide while in contact with liquid water.

On the electricity, the chemistry takes place at the electrodes, not what the current is passing through. At the electrodes, one can generate many species in seawater, including hydroxide (raises alk) and chlorine (kills everything).
So if a heater cracked open in the tank, is this a situation creating hydroxide and chlorine, or anything electrical even, like a powerhead would cause? You know when you get the typical electrical tingle from faulty equipment, would this be happening?
 

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