Homemade Buffer

[Anemoneman]

Anybody try/use the buffer that's made of 6 parts Baking Soda and 1 part washing soda?
http://www.hawkfish.org/infoctr/homebuffer.htm

 

[Anemoneman]

Well I just tried it. It's pretty potent. I had a dKh of 6 and wanted to make it 9. I followed the "instructions" and added one heaping tsp per 25 gallons for 1 dKh point. I added a total of 8 to be on the safe side. It raised my dKh to 12 as measured an hour after the addition. I didn't check pH. Lots of info on this thread at reef central http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=16485&highlight=baking+soda
I made about 12 oz of buffer for less than 50 cents. Fits my method of reef keeping perfectly (DIY & cheap).

 

[Hara]

hmm, i wonder what is in the washing soda?

 

[maiceman]

Mark

What were your costs for this buffer? How did you add it.... dosed or direct to the sump?

 

[Anemoneman]

hmm, i wonder what is in the washing soda?

Sodium Carbonate.
Baking Soda = Sodium Bicarbonate.
Check out the threads....tons of info and explanations.

What were your costs for this buffer?

$2 or $3 for a huge box of washing soda.
38 cents for a box of baking soda.

How did you add it

Mixed it with FW and added to the sump.

 

[Bang Guy]

hmm, i wonder what is in the washing soda?

I'm pretty sure washing soda is Borate.

 

[Anemoneman]

Guy, are you thinking of borax? I use that to make a homemade pH calibration solution. I am 99.99% sure washing soda is Sodium Carbonate (says so on the box)