Randy recipe 1 Help

[Nemo253]

Hi, I have decided to try recipe 1 due to the ph raising factor having been using recipe 2 for a few months.

However when dosing the alkalinity part of recipe 1, the solution seems to solidify when entering the tank, and doesn't seem to dissolve properly. Have even tried adding it to a high flow area.

I have followed the recipe and baked the baking soda on 180 deg celsius for 90min. The baking soda is dissolved in RODI before dosing. I have attached a picture below. Thanks

 

[Flippers4pups]

Hi, I have decided to try recipe 1 due to the ph raising factor having been using recipe 2 for a few months.

However when dosing the alkalinity part of recipe 1, the solution seems to solidify when entering the tank, and doesn't seem to dissolve properly. Have even tried adding it to a high flow area.

I have followed the recipe and baked the baking soda on 180 deg celsius for 90min. The baking soda is dissolved in RODI before dosing. I have attached a picture below. Thanks

It's from the precipitation. The high PH value from the sodium carbonate can do this.

I tried to use it some time ago dripping very slowly in a high flow area of my sump and over the course of a month it coated my sump walls, heaters and pumps in thick calcium. I discontinued using it and went back to sodium bicarbonate. Just not worth the little bump in PH that carbonate gave. It's temporary anyway.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It is normal for precipitation of magnesium hydroxide to happen instantly when the alk part hits the water, but it should redissolve.

If you are actually forming calcium carbonate, it will not redissolve.

Try diluting the additive more, adding more slowly, and as you mention, to a high flow area.

How much alk (in dKH per day) are you trying to add at once?

 

[Nemo253]

It is normal for precipitation of magnesium hydroxide to happen instantly when the alk part hits the water, but it should redissolve.

If you are actually forming calcium carbonate, it will not redissolve.

Try diluting the additive more, adding more slowly, and as you mention, to a high flow area.

How much alk (in dKH per day) are you trying to add at once?

Thanks. I tried dissolving the mixture with a further 50 percent RO and the same thing happened. This solution was added slowly.

Im raising it by about 0.7 dkh in a 125 gallon tank.

May just continue with recipe 2, then buffer the pH weekly.

 

[Flippers4pups]

Thanks. I tried dissolving the mixture with a further 50 percent RO and the same thing happened. This solution was added slowly.

Im raising it by about 0.7 dkh in a 125 gallon tank.

May just continue with recipe 2, then buffer the pH weekly.

I wouldn't add any buffers. They will throw off your alkalinity.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Not sure what you mean by buffering the pH, but most things fitting that description aren’t appropriate.