Can this product be used safely?

reefknight · Jan 23, 2015

As many of us today are looking into ways of buying bulk chemicals for affordability, I ran across a 25lb bag of sodium carbonate. I compared the MSDS sheet to Fritz Pro Aquatics and found very few variances between them. I have attached the two links below for comparison. I love our sponsors and use a vast many of them but there are times where you must be conscientious. Especially when using common chemicals repackaged with huge mark up. Also since this is anhydrous, what would be the correct ratio for mixing 1 gallon for 2 part solutions? I recall reading that you should not have to use the 2.5c: 1g RODI for the proper solution.

http://www.****.com/itm/25-lb-Sodiu...625?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35a9eeca99
Please note that I have removed part of the address, so this will post. Replace with E B A Y

Fritz Aquatics | Aquarium Products Trusted by Hobbyists and Professionals

If I may have some of our chemist experts, please review this I would certainly appreciate it.

Thank you for your assistance!

beaslbob · Jan 23, 2015

Sounds like baked baking soda to me.

redfishbluefish · Jan 23, 2015

That would work just fine. And to make Randy's recipe, since it is sodium carbonate, you'd need two cups to one gallon of RO/DI water.

If you wish to go less expense, buy baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) and bake it at 350 degrees for an hour and you'll now have sodium carbonate. If you start with 2 1/4 cups, when baked, mix up to 1 gallon of water and you're good to go. FYI, I pay approximately 5 to 6 dollars for 13 pounds of baking soda at Sam's club.

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 23, 2015

The primary reason I recommended baked baking soda over washing soda (sodium carbonate) from a grocery store is the food grade assurance that comes with baking soda but not always washing soda.

Does this bag say anything about grade (I can't link to it at the moment).

reefknight · Jan 23, 2015

Thank you for the thoughts on the sodium bi carbonate, it's another idea. I have never ran across a bag that large of Arm & Hammer, lol!

Randy,

On the MSDS it does state that it meets quality testing by Food Chemical Codex, 8th Ed. It goes on to carry the NSF seal/ ANSI60, a Kosher Seal by the OU as well as one by the American Water Works Association. Revision date on the form is 01/30/14, so the information should not be out of date.

reefndude · Jan 23, 2015

I bought a that size bag of baking soda at walmart.
It was with there pool supplies

reefknight · Jan 23, 2015

I believe that this link will work better:

http://www.dudadiesel.com/msds/sodaash.pdf

Randy Holmes-Farley · Jan 24, 2015

reefknight said:
Thank you for the thoughts on the sodium bi carbonate, it's another idea. I have never ran across a bag that large of Arm & Hammer, lol!

Randy,

On the MSDS it does state that it meets quality testing by Food Chemical Codex, 8th Ed. It goes on to carry the NSF seal/ ANSI60, a Kosher Seal by the OU as well as one by the American Water Works Association. Revision date on the form is 01/30/14, so the information should not be out of date.

Ok, then I'd use it.

reefknight · Jan 24, 2015

That's what I thought as I read the information, but I'm no where near an expert. Thank you to all for your time, suggestions and assistance!

reefknight · Jan 24, 2015

You're correct on the ratio. I was thinking sodium carbonate but typing ration for calcium chloride!

Thank you for the suggestion and the correction in ration.