Baking Powder?

[Moses]

Hi There,

my tap water is too alkaline and till now i've been using the 'Sodium Bicarbonate' that came with the PH kit to stabilise it, however this has now run out.

I've got some Baking Powder, the ingredients are 'Rice Flour, Sodium Acid Phosphate, Sodium Bicarbonate'. Can I use this instead?

Cheers,

Moses.

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Moses

No, it wouldn't be a good idea to put Baking Powder in your water. It's Baking SODA that is Sodium Bicarbonate.

 

[black angel]

I thought bicarbonate of soda raises your kh/gh so raising your ph making it more alkaline? confused

 

[Majjie]

I thought bicarbonate of soda raises your kh/gh so raising your ph making it more alkaline? confused

It does raise the KH and the pH (KH = carbonate hardness)

 

[BigC]

Yes Bicarb of Soda raises the pH. I use it i the water for hatching brineshrimp.

 

[PinkyPerky]

Yes it raises the PH. My lfs has just advised me to add some bicarbonate of soda to my tank as my PH has dropped from 7.4 to 5.0 in 2 days and I've lost 2 platys.

 

[Qays]

Yes it raises the PH. My lfs has just advised me to add some bicarbonate of soda to my tank as my PH has dropped from 7.4 to 5.0 in 2 days and I've lost 2 platys.

Are you cycling the tank right now?

 

[millym]

you can find sodium bicarbonate in the same section of the shop you got the baking powder from as its also used for baking..........
if you want some that is

 

[Rediahs]

You shouldn't use baking powder. Only baking soda.

 

[PinkyPerky]

Yes it raises the PH. My lfs has just advised me to add some bicarbonate of soda to my tank as my PH has dropped from 7.4 to 5.0 in 2 days and I've lost 2 platys.

Are you cycling the tank right now?

No. It cycled about 5 weeks ago. Why?

 

[BigC]

Water chemistry is much more complex. Buffering is only a short term remedy and you will surely get swings which is detremental to fish health. Study a bit more on water chemistry and develop a way to keep your pH stable amongst other parameters.
Regards
BigC