"Buffered" Vitamin C

[TheEngineer]

I started dosing vitamin c last week to try and ward off a persistent zoa issue. I typically dose for alk/cal twice a week to maintain levels in my 50g. Since starting the vitamin c I'm seeing I don't need to dose much at all. The vitamin c I'm using is "buffered" and I'm wondering if that is why I don't have to dose alk.

Is this like the buffers sold for our tanks? I only dose 500mg twice a day so I'm surprised by the alk effects.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Buffered vitamin C is sodium ascorbate, while regular vitamin C is ascorbic acid.

When the buffered version is completely metabolized, it results in CO2 and bicarbonate (which adds alkalinity) and sodium. The acid form ends just as CO2.

So yes, it will be adding alkalinity.

 

[TheEngineer]

Thanks. Which likely means I need to start monitoring my calcium now and possibly just dosing for that?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Yes, but the demand is likely not especially high.

 

[TheEngineer]

Yes, but the demand is likely not especially high.

Indeed. Does the extra alk from the buffer help prevent the additional co2 from dropping my pH?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Indeed. Does the extra alk from the buffer help prevent the additional co2 from dropping my pH?

Not so much, but some.