Second New DIY Two Part Recipe with Higher pH Boost

[Jasonak]

Buy Here

So if I understand this correctly,
Mix 283 grams of this porduct, sodium hydrxide, in 1 gal of rodi water.
Then you can dose that as a suppliment for adding alkalinity along with keeping higher pH.
On the reef calculator its same as liquid soda ash, because it adds same amount of alk as soda expet for the fact it increases pH much more than soda ash.
Am I correct? and is this product listed above good/safe to use?

I use that exact same product from amazon and have been for almost 2 years.

 

[Miami Reef]

Sodium carbonate will tend to pick up CO2 and water. Sodium bicarbonate may tend to lose CO2 when solid.

I want to make sure I’m understanding this.

Liquid sodium carbonate can turn into liquid sodium bicarbonate in the 2 part solution if enough CO2 enters

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I want to make sure I’m understanding this.

Liquid sodium carbonate can turn into liquid sodium bicarbonate in the 2 part solution if enough CO2 enters

Yes, but it won’t go all the way. I expect the reverse happens to sodium bicarbonate solutions, and at very long times I expect some mixture stabilizes. Not sure what that mix is, but I expect the process is so slow in closed containers used for a few months or less that it is not important.

 

[Miami Reef]

Thank you very much. That’s great to know for future references.

 

[AKReefing]

@Randy Holmes-Farley So with the degradation of sodium hydroxide with exposure to CO2, it sounds like it would be best to make smaller batches of hydroxide at a time and keep it in a smaller container to minimize contact with the air. This would ensure the mixture is potent longer.

So how long does it take to reduce its potency? Should I make a week's worth at a time? Two?

 

[AKReefing]

I use that exact same product from amazon and have been for almost 2 years.

I live in the middle of Alaska. There are a lot of things that sellers won't ship up here due to hazards. I finally found a supplier on Amazon who will ship for free (Crystal Clear Lab Sodium Hydroxide, 10lbsFood Grade (Lye, Caustic Soda Beads)).

 

[Miami Reef]

@Randy Holmes-Farley So with the degradation of sodium hydroxide with exposure to CO2, it sounds like it would be best to make smaller batches of hydroxide at a time and keep it in a smaller container to minimize contact with the air. This would ensure the mixture is potent longer.

So how long does it take to reduce its potency? Should I make a week's worth at a time? Two?

Not needed IMO.

This is how I have my bottles for my 3 part.

It will last a good while without turning into sodium carbonate IME.

I think the concern is more pronounced in an open container like an ATO.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

@Randy Holmes-Farley So with the degradation of sodium hydroxide with exposure to CO2, it sounds like it would be best to make smaller batches of hydroxide at a time and keep it in a smaller container to minimize contact with the air. This would ensure the mixture is potent longer.

So how long does it take to reduce its potency? Should I make a week's worth at a time? Two?

I do not consider degradation of a sodium hydroxide solution in a closed container to be any concern. It’s nothing to worry about.

To be clear, even open containers do not ever reduce in alk potency no matter how much CO2 enters. The worst that happens is the pH boost declines a small amount.