sodium bicarb users (2-part)

[Fishward]

If you don't bake it, the recipie only calls for 1 1/8 cup per gallon. that might be why you're having trouble getting it all to dissolve. thats what i use too and i have a hell of a time just getting 1 1/8cup to dissolve.

[christyf5]

Originally Posted by Fishward

If you don't bake it, the recipie only calls for 1 1/8 cup per gallon. that might be why you're having trouble getting it all to dissolve. thats what i use too and i have a hell of a time just getting 1 1/8cup to dissolve.

yeah I noticed that on randys recipe #2 and was wondering if I was attempting to supersaturate the solution or something. I think I'll either heat or try a powerhead and see how it goes

[Delphinus]

Oh you're doing the unbaked, right, sorry. Yeah, I dunno. I found that the half recipe mixes in eventually but it just takes forever. Better off just putting a powerhead in the reservoir and let it mix forever and ever and it'll eventually dissolve in.

It's the baked baking soda that reacts too much when added too much at a time and once it's done that, it's done forever.

I still don't really know if one method works better for me or not.

[Canuckgod420]

I noticed when adding the baked solution to my sump it would percipitate into clumps.....so I mixed it with some RO water first before adding it and now have no problems.

[Reef_kid]

My recipe i have used for about 10 years

STOCK :

1 BOX baking soda
1 box washing soda or (1 box baking soda baked at broil 20 mins)
vinegar to adjust pH of buffer

Stock Concentrated dry

6 part baking soda
1 part washing soda

mix very very.

to test:

1 tsp will raise the ALKALINITY Ka by 1 unit (on the D) in 25 gallons of water.
and should maintain the PH at 8.2

test a small sample
1ml into a fresh water gallon.
test pH and check that its 8.2 (the buffering capacity of the two)
test Ka: before and after it should be pretty high. due to this sample being very concentrated.

check a 5 gallon bucket by adding 1ml of the dry powder
it should read 8.2 ph and the ka should raise by 1 unit.


keep as dry stock and make a pop bottle up with a tsp. or so.
do not increase Ka by more than 1 unit a day

[Tom R]

Hi Christy

I am using the Bulk Reef Supply

Bulk 2 Part Instructions: Recipe 2

It calls for 1 1/8 cups of BS to each gallon of RO water.

I mix 5 gallons at a time in a large 6 gallon salt bucket with 6 cups of BS.

I use a MJ 1200 pump and let it mix for a couple of days with little to no residual.

If you feel this recipe ids too week you can just adjust the dose either frequency or quantity.

I would not want to dose if there is any residual in the water.

Tom R

[Reefer Rob]

I mix 1600gm in 10 liters of water. Not sure what that is in cups, but I like to be accurate. It makes it easier to set your dosing amount. I just shake the container a few times over a couple of hours and it mixes clear.

[Tom R]

Originally Posted by Reefer Rob

I mix 1600gm in 10 liters of water. Not sure what that is in cups, but I like to be accurate. It makes it easier to set your dosing amount. I just shake the container a few times over a couple of hours and it mixes clear.

1 cup = 250 ml

A box of Arm & hammer is 500 ml or 2 cups

Tom R

[PoonTang]

Originally Posted by Fishward

If you don't bake it, the recipie only calls for 1 1/8 cup per gallon. that might be why you're having trouble getting it all to dissolve. thats what i use too and i have a hell of a time just getting 1 1/8cup to dissolve.

+1
never had a problem mixing it doing it this way. Also note you need to change your calcium recipie too if you want them balanced. Dont forget that when you change you will most likely need to double your rate on your doser.

[banditpowdercoat]

I'm going to be gettng into this soon. What is the recipies again? Ca, Alk and Mag? I have a 55lb bag of Mag, hoping not to have to mix with Epsom?