Soda Ash

[Mathman]

Is it okay to use soda ash that is manufactured for pools? Looking for an inexpensive two part diy

 

[Redfoxtang]

All Soda Ash is, is actually Sodium Carbonate. So basically baked baking soda. You could go to the grocery store and make your own Soda ash.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Your safest bet is to buy food grade baking soda and "cook" your own. I buy a large 15 pound bag of Arm and Hammer at Sam's Club for 7 - 8 bucks. I now use Dr Randy Holmes recipe, taking 2 1/4 cups of baking soda on a cookie sheet and bake for one hour at 350F. Once cooled, this makes a gallon of ALK solution.

 

[Fish4udog]

Soda ash (sodium carbonate) or swimming pool pH increaser is a common ingredient in marine aquarium pH and alkalinity increasers. Make sure to check the label to make sure the ingredients are 100% sodium carbonate.

 

[redfishbluefish]

All Soda Ash is, is actually Sodium Carbonate. So basically baked baking soda. You could go to the grocery store and make your own Soda ash.

Slight correction....baking soda is sodium BIcarbonate while soda ash is sodium carbonate. By "baking" baking soda, you drive off carbon dioxide producing soda ash.

The big advantage in using soda ash is that it's more soluble thereby allowing you to make a stronger solution.

 

[Mathman]

Thanks everyone.. I know the difference between sodium carbonate and bicarbonate but I was wondering if the pool supply chemical was "clean." is there really any difference in quality or is all sodium carbonate the same?

 

[pseudorand]

Thanks everyone.. I know the difference between sodium carbonate and bicarbonate but I was wondering if the pool supply chemical was "clean." is there really any difference in quality or is all sodium carbonate the same?

How much cheaper is it? I know it's an expensive hobby so every dollar counts, but brs sells the gallon supply for <$8. That lasts me months in my 120g. Why risk it? Just use something food grade or labeled "aquarium".

Or if you are industrial scale such that you need enough that it matters, try some in one tank and reply here to let us know if everything died.

 

[Mathman]

Not looking to kill any of my aquatic friends. I can buy Leslie's pool supply soda ash 5 lbs for $15

 

[Biglew11]

If you're really trying to save money your pool supply soda ash is works out to 3$ a pound you can buy a 50 pound bag of baking soda for 29.99 or .59 a pound. As above bake at 350 for an hour and you have soda ash. The pool supply soda ash may be clean enough, but it don't need to be very clean to work in a pool so may have alot of contaminates.

 

[Mathman]

Just trying to avoid "baking" lbs of bicarbonate

 

[Biglew11]

Only need to do a little bit at a time. Bake just a little more than what is needed to make a gallon, 2 1/4 cups.