Sodium Bicarbonate use for KH

branfrog

Is sodium Bicarbonate aka 'Arm and Hammer, baking soda' the best way to maintain KH levels?

I have been adding baking soda to my new water during my weekly water change routine with no problem to maintain 3 dKH.

In a different thread on this forum, adding crushed coral to the filter was recommended, which makes me think that baking soda is just a 'quick fix'?

Also is there other down sides to using sodium bicarbonate? Im thinking it releases sodium molecules into the water when it breaks down? Although I know the whole adding salt into a freshwater aquarium is another debate in itself...

It seems to me that crushed coral is essentially calcium carbonate? (i'm probably wrong) I know calcium carbonate also impacts GH, but accounting for this, would calcium carbonate be a better chemical to use in place of sodium bicarbonate to bump up the KH levels?

Jay

Hey Bran..

We have to keep meeting like this in different threads, folks are going to talk

I routinely shore up my KH at water change time with "Baking Soda". It is not really a "quick fix" as much as it is an other thing to do at water change time.

Crushed coral or a "GH Booster" is a little more forgiving as to "I have to dose this every week or the system will collapse" Ya get my drift here

Just an aside...I use baking soda in my Back Deck Hot Tub for a great feel to the water. I wonder how fish feel about that

Jay

branfrog

cool! I appreciate any and all comments you have on these topics! I was looking for confirmation on this one, and got it. I will stick to the baking soda: its cheap, easily accessible and very easy to add.

Hee Hee! I feel safe as long as the fish tank gossip section is still 'under construction'...