Dosing change from sodium carbonate to bicarbonate

[LobsterOfJustice]

For the portion of the day when the lights are on (and pH is rising), I want to switch my dosing from carbonate to bicarbonate, to minimize the increase in pH (I dose NaOH for the portion of the day when the lights are off).

1. Is the solubility of these the same? Right now I measure 13 cups of bicarb, bake it, and then dissolve in RODI to make 4g total volume. Can I dissolve 13 cups of bicarb in RODI to make 4g solution?

2. What is the relative strength of these solutions? For example if I follow the procedure above, would I need to dose more bicarb solution compared to the current dosing volume of carbonate solution?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Bicarbonate is much less soluble, hence the lower potency of two part solutions made from it. My recipe #2 uses bicarbonate and takes that into account. It is half as potent.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

An Improved Do-it-Yourself Two-Part Calcium and Alkalinity Supplement System by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com