Raising Alkalinity using Baking Soda?

[mc_hong]

Hi all,
I have a 55-gal tank mostly LPS and softies which are doing well.

Recently added a few SPS frags and but they didn't do too well.
So I checked my chemistry, looks pretty good except the alkalinity (5-dKH).
I have 5x54 T5's. The SPS are about 15" away from the lights.

I heard that you can raise the alk using Arm&Hammer Baking Soda.
How would I do it? Just dissolve it with water and pour into the sump slowly?
What are the side effects? Will it change my pH? Will it affect my softies?

My water parameters are:
Alk = 5-dKH
Nitrit, Amonia, Phos are negligible.
Salinity = 1.024
Ph = 8.1-8.3
Calcium = 480
Magnesium ?
Temp: 79-81

I'd very much like to add a few SPS into my tank and get rid of this BIG toadstool (http://s222.photobucket.com/albums/dd138/mc_hong/?action=view&current=DSCF2190.jpg).
Would you please help?

Thanks,
Moeljo

 

[Boomer]

Sorry I'm so late with this post some how I missed it

This is the best means for you to solve your math question on how much to use.

Reef chemicals calculator
http://home.comcast.net/~jdieck1/chem_calc3.html

I heard that you can raise the alk using Arm&Hammer Baking Soda.

Yes


How would I do it? Just dissolve it with water and pour into the sump slowly?

Yes

What are the side effects? Will it change my pH? Will it affect my softies?


1. If you dump it in to fast or to much it may/will cloud the water. Baking Soda is used in ALL buffers we use, that includes the ones you pay an arm and leg for.

2. It will give a tad low pH at first but it will rise back up shortly and increase the Alk and maybe the pH a very small tad. We use BS to increase the Alk will little or no impact on pH.

3. No