Cautions When You Add Baking Soda
 

As my ph was a little low at 6, I added 20ml of the baking soda to boost up the ph yesterday. However, after about four to six hours, the ph shot up to 7.5.

My tank is 5 by 2.5 by 2ft. I could have miscalculated the dosage. I then did 2 measurements at two hours interval and the ph sustained at 7.5.

This morning before work and this evening I measured the ph and it still sustain at ph 7.5

The fishes (one red aro, 30 plus discus and a tigirinus) were active and show no sign of distressed, so I think they are ok.

So bros here if you use baking soda to boost ph, please add it slowly and little by little snd measure your ph constantly.

Oh yes! It is the 1st time I am using baking soda

20 ml is about 4 teaspoon

pH 6 sounds ok, why need to raise?

I got no issues with adding sodium bicarbonate to my rays tank rising PH from 6 to 7.5 within 2 hrs.. :)

Actually wished to raise to 6.5 but overly ambitious by adding a bit too much baking soda.

But eventually it will go down to the "normal pH value" because of decomposing waste and stuff. Maybe add more coral chips or change existing ones would be a better solution. Low pH is actually good for some fishes.

It is the dosage that matters. Be careful when u dose next time. Dose slowly.
Other than the pH changes, sodium bicarbonate is generally safe for fishes.

Is this the 1st time you using bicarbonate? Next time slowly add in smaller quantity....

I'm using crushed oyster shell (claroshell) so far pH maintain 6.6 to 6.8. Tried using baking soda before pH up too much. But the shell seems to dissolves in a few months so need topping up. I put them in a small basket with aeration below.

U got to dose slowly. Cos after it dissolves then the ph will adjust.