Sodium BiCarbonate... it's Baking Soda!

[Joenumba104]

First post here. While I'm new to reefing I still believe that there are some things that I can point out. The first thing that I've noticed was that there are many companies selling Sodium Bicarbonate (NaHCO3) . I hadn't taken chemistry in a few years but when I did, I took advanced chemistry of the 100 and 200 levels. I remember having to buy Sodium BiCarbonate for one of my projects. Boy was I delighted when I discovered it was nothing more than baking soda that you can buy for $3.00 for 5lbs. I'm no stranger to spending money on my tank and maybe even overpaying here and there, but when I see baking soda being sold for $20/lb I figured I'd share the news. Im sure this is known already but why not spread the news again. Buy baking soda for 89 cents at the grocery store if you need to increase your alkalinity or PH. Happy reefing.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yes, a large number of people use baking soda. Many bake it to convert it to socium carbonate. I give diy recipes for two part additives using it in the stickies at the top of this forum.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

On your last sentence, don’t use it to raise pH. It actually lowers the pH of seawater when first added, and alk may get too high.

 

[MTBake]

First of all, welcome to R2R

And yes, baking soda is good to use. Same thing as sodium bicarbonate.

 

[MTBake]

Bake it if you need to raise ph. To make soda ash.

 

[Potatohead]

Just wait until you find out that calcium hydroxide is pickling lime ;Joyful

 

[MTBake]

Just wait until you find out that calcium hydroxide is pickling lime ;Joyful

Ms. Wages if I remember the brand name correctly.