2 different people recently told me they put baking soda in their water to raise their pH. Is there any validity in this? I'm rather skeptical, but I've heard weirder stuff. What kind of dosing do you do if it is possible to use?
Baking soda for pH?
- Thread starter Schismgrl18
- Start date
If I read these first year chemistry notes on basic buffers properly, it will increase your pH slightly. You'd have to give me some time to calculate any kind of dosage for you though; it's been a while lol. The HCO3- (bicarbonate) ion will split the water and leave you with some H2CO3 and OH-. The H2CO3 will make some carbonic acid to a much lesser extent, I think, but it's negligible.
Anyone with a more solid background in chemistry have anything to add? Is my reasoning sound?
Anyone with a more solid background in chemistry have anything to add? Is my reasoning sound?
Adding baking soda (not powder!) will indeed raise the pH. Remember that this will need to be constantly added, however; you can not add once and expect the level to remain. Remeasurement/addition will be required. Be careful not to add too much and cause a severe spike as this will be very stressful for your fish. Gradually adjust the pH if you decide it must be adjusted; why are you trying to increase the pH? Generally, it is advisable to leave the pH alone unless you need to create very specific conditions for certain species (african cichlids for example). Many fish species can adjust very well to the stable pH already present in your tank.
A general rule is 1 teaspoon per 5 gallons, but proceed carefully. Also, please note that adding baking soda will increase the KH (carbonate hardness) of your tank which might be an issue for certain species.
A general rule is 1 teaspoon per 5 gallons, but proceed carefully. Also, please note that adding baking soda will increase the KH (carbonate hardness) of your tank which might be an issue for certain species.
Baking soda is the standard remedy for raising PH, has been for decades. It is sold in fish shops as PH Up with a big price tag for the label. You don't need to get fancy about measurements, just add a pinch to your bucket of replacement water, check the PH, if it's not high enough, add another pinch. Adding it before you put the water into the tank keeps your PH stable unless you have something in the tank pushing it up or down.
No, this is absolutely not advised for aquariums and could have very serious consequences. Lowering pH consistently (and keeping it stable) is more difficult to accomplish than raising it.
One thing I've learned since being in this aquarium hobby is to not mess around too much with the pH. Personally, I don't like adding any type of chemicals to my tank. I think trying to lower your pH is more hazardous to your tank than trying to increase it. If you're trying to lower it too I would advise you to use some bogwood. There are other natural ways to increase your pH levels too.
Adding some crushed coral sand or something similar to the substrate would help to up the pH and KH.
