New Soda Ash Source

[WhenKeepinItReefGoesWrong]

It seems that BRS has discontinued offering their 7lb bags of soda ash, only allowing the wasteful single use (and much more expensive) plastic containers. What is everyone using for bulk soda ash?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Its fairly hard to find food grade sodium carbonate at a reasonable price. It may make more sense to get baking soda and bake it.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Its fairly hard to find food grade sodium carbonate at a reasonable price. It may make more sense to get baking soda and bake it.

That's exactly what I do....the big bag of Arm & Hammer (13.5 lbs) at Sam's Club.

 

[lattehiatus]

Single use packets really are wasteful. Maybe it's a stock issue at BRS and they are repackaging - could be worth a quick message to check? Several LFSs in my area sell bulk dosing chemicals, could that be an option for you?

 

[WhenKeepinItReefGoesWrong]

Single use packets really are wasteful. Maybe it's a stock issue at BRS and they are repackaging - could be worth a quick message to check? Several LFSs in my area sell bulk dosing chemicals, could that be an option for you?

I did message BRS and unfortunately they said that the 7lb bags are discontinued. So your options from them are a 1 gallon single use, or a massive 35lb bucket.

For a place that was started as a bulk 2 part supplier, it seems wild that they no longer offer their 7lb bags, but I guess those are the high quality ideas that only private equity can come up with.

 

[Fritz05]

How about one of these two?

PURE ORIGINAL INGREDIENTS Natural Washing Soda (5 lb) Multipurpose Cleaner, Water Softener, Stain Remover. https://a.co/d/cc6vKiZ

Food Grade Sodium Carbonate - 5lb - Kansui Powder for Making Fresh Ramen Noodles - Type 1 https://a.co/d/17Itc87

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

How about one of these two?

PURE ORIGINAL INGREDIENTS Natural Washing Soda (5 lb) Multipurpose Cleaner, Water Softener, Stain Remover. https://a.co/d/cc6vKiZ

Food Grade Sodium Carbonate - 5lb - Kansui Powder for Making Fresh Ramen Noodles - Type 1 https://a.co/d/17Itc87

The second one, being food grade, looks good.

 

[djkms]

https://www.dudadiesel.com/search.php?query=Sodium+carbonate

 

[DCR]

You could also just purchase soda ash from pool supply companies. I doubt there is anything in it that would harm your reef. Most of these commodity chemicals are produced by the same company and process and the only difference is in the level of testing. Many people use de-icer calcium chloride with no ill effects.