Testing Alkalinity Mixture

[nkyreef]

I've needed to adjust my alkalinity levels manually since making a new mixture with BRS soda ash. The new bag has a 1 1/2 cup to 1 gallon ratio. The older bag was 2 1/3 to 1 gallon. Is there any way I can use a Hanna checker to measure the "strength" of the mixture? Can a certain measurement of my alkalinity mixture added to a known volume of RO water produce an expected result? If so, what would be an expected value? I don't want to change my daily dosing volumes until I'm certain the mixture is the issue.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Can you post a picture of the bag? There are two reason for a reduced recipe, both of which we already know the potency. One is using sodium bicarbonate and the other uses the same potency of less fluffy soda ash.

I expect it is just less fluffy soda ash since it is very unlikely they changed the potency of the product I designed.

Yes, we can devise a test to measure potency, but it may not be needed.

 

[nkyreef]

Can you post a picture of the bag? There are two reason for a reduced recipe, both of which we already know the potency. One is using sodium bicarbonate and the other uses the same potency of less fluffy soda ash.

I expect it is just less fluffy soda ash since it is very unlikely they changed the potency of the product I designed.

Yes, we can devise a test to measure potency, but it may not be needed.

Thank you for the reply. I noticed when mixing, there was a sticker covering the old instructions. It made me wonder if BRS somehow changed the formula/potency. However, I have two separate systems with two separate dosers and they have both needed manual adjustments lately.

I did have some left over soda ash from my previous mixes. I used a leveled 1/4 measuring cup and after zeroing out the cup measured 51 grams. Then I measured the new bag and came up with 49 grams using the same method. It seemed like the fluffiness of the mixes were roughly the same.

Is it possible there is sodium bicarbonate in the bag and not soda ash?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

if you have a pH meter, measure the solution pH. that can distinguish baking soda from soda ash.

 

[nkyreef]

if you have a pH meter, measure the solution pH. that can distinguish baking soda from soda ash.

I borrowed a pH tester and my solution was 10.8. I compared that to a mixture of the old soda ash and the measurement was the same.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Yes, that’s the pH of sodium carbonate.

The proper recipe is 375 grams of that material per gallon.

 

[johnnycamp5]

Slight highjack-

Would this soda ash be all I needed to increase kh or alkalinity (and ph) in my water?
Just started 4 months ago.
My overall numbers have been low, and I’ve used an aquavitro additive (eight.four) to bring it up.

It’s worked well, but it seems like a rather expensive way to go long-term

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Slight highjack-

Would this soda ash be all I needed to increase kh or alkalinity (and ph) in my water?
Just started 4 months ago.
My overall numbers have been low, and I’ve used an aquavitro additive (eight.four) to bring it up.

It’s worked well, but it seems like a rather expensive way to go long-term

I’d suggest starting here:
https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/pros-and-cons-of-alkalinity-and-calcium-dosing-methods.1069/

 

[johnnycamp5]

Will do thanks