Is soda ash supposed to get hot when mixed?

[Skep18]

I just mixed up a gallon of @BRS soda ash in a gallon jug. I guess I didn't follow the instructions 100% and in hindsight I think I can see why they have you add powder first and RODI second. However, I had about 3/4 gallon of RODI in there then funneled in the soda ash from the 1 gallon bag. I went to pick up the jug to shake it. WOW. It was pretty dang hot. Not hot enough to create burns but hot enough to get my attention. I thought maybe I had mixed in hot tap water for a second.

Is this normal?

The only thing I'm finding is people saying the calcium solution can get hot. Should I be concerned about a mixup of chemicals or something?

 

[SudoGeeks]

IIRC both my calcium and soda ash get hot warm when mixed with water.

 

[Skep18]

IIRC both my calcium and soda ash get hot when mixed with water.

Good to know. I just wanted to hear it from someone else.

I looked on their site and at their reviews. No one mentioned it getting hot. I have watched countless videos on reef stuff. Similarly not mentioned. The heat dissipated quickly but it was there nonetheless. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't doing something wrong or had some bad batch or something. Lol.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I mix it in thirds. The first time I did it I followed the instructions (first time for everything I know) and it got hot and left me cake at the bottom.

 

[Larry L]

I fill my jug with about 3/4 gallon of RO/DI water, then add the soda ash a half cup at a time, with a good shaking of the jug after each, which seems to get it mixed better than adding all two cups at the same time. Sometimes there are some solid clumps still left at the bottom, if that happens just set your jug in a pan of hot tap water for a while (maybe 10-15 minutes) and then give it another good shake, usually it's completely mixed for me at that point. Then I top off with RO/DI to bring it up to one gallon.

 

[Larry L]

The first time I did it I followed the instructions (first time for everything I know)

LOL

 

[Skep18]

I mix it in thirds. The first time I did it I followed the instructions (first time for everything I know) and it got hot and left me cake at the bottom.

Well, I guess I'm glad I didn't follow the instructions! Lol.

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Idk why they wouldn't advise that its an exothermic reaction but at least letting the consumer know it might get hot would be nice. Lol.