Cautions When You Add Baking Soda

[patclay]

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

[patclay]

20 ml is about 4 teaspoon

[onlyyouknow]

pH 6 sounds ok, why need to raise?

[azon]

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

[patclay]

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

[onlyyouknow]

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.

[farish]

For me i add max of half teaspoon At a time, results in increase of 0.3 in my 4 by 2 by 2.5 with 3 feet sump

[Saphere]

Don't worry, after a while you will become very good at estimating how much to dose in order to raise by your desired amount for your tank

[patclay]

This morning measured pH and it has dropped to about pH 7. Then 5 minutes ago measured my tank water and the pH dropped further to 6.5. So it seems using baking soda could only maintain pH for 1.5 days as for my case.

Next time will try adding in 1 teaspoon of baking soda 1st and then monitor the pH hours later. Won't be so garang anymore to add in 4 teaspoon straight away at one goal.