Sodium Bicarbonate Bought Fr Pharmacy

[wedgee]

Hi guys, i found this interesting bottle of Sodium Bicarbonate for sale very cheaply in a pharmacy, and thought it might be a better substitute for KH builders (am i right? Cause i recall tanzy mentioning it as a strong alternative), if it were pure enough for reef use...

Tink I'll call the company up (local, so shld be easy) and ask them if there are any other impurities in it...

[wedgee]

Wonder if the content is as wat they specified???

[wedgee]

Looks like.......

[pospeh]

Its not enough to have bicarbonates. You also need carbonates and borates in the right proportions to achieve buffering capacity.

[wedgee]

Hmmm does the Seachem Reef Builder provide these elements then? And wat abt those of us who are using the lab grade Sodium Bicarbonates? Are they lacking in these chemicals too?

Will a shortage of Carbonate and Borate affect the water chemistry other than being inadequate for buffering? Will a water change help to balance them up?

Thanx!!!

[newdamsel]

Hmm looks interesting, how much are they selling in the pharmacy for that 100g ?? You have any idea of whats the purpose of them selling it for?

[BarraCudaTM]

you can buy sodium bicarbonate from NTUC or any neighbourhood shops, its commonly used for baking.

[FuEl]

It's baking soda. Look at the contents before you buy though. Make sure they din add anything else like DDT!

[woonming]

It's baking soda. Look at the contents before you buy though. Make sure they din add anything else like DDT!

Hehe what is DDT ?

But what about the heavy metal conten inside those baking soda ?

[nsyahron]

Just don't buy/use baking powder!

[yazid]

Sodium Bicarbonate is baking powder. It is not only used for baking but can be use for other purpose.

If you get stung by a wasp, bee or anything that makes is swollen, mix baking powder with a little water and apply to the swell. It helps to reduce the swell.

I have use it for wasp and bee stung before. It works.

[nsyahron]

Sodium bicarbonate is baking soda, baking powder is baking soda plus additives needed for baking.

[wedgee]

Hmmmm so wats the conclusion? Is this bottle of Sodium Bicarbonate free from the additives of common houshold used baking soda? And does anyone have the answers to the Borates etc question?

Wah instead of knowing wat to do with the bottle, i am now more hesitant to put it into my reef....

[robe]

AS long as you use food grade baking soda your safe. I am using StrongArm brand which I bought from Cold Storage for aroind $3.80. The box is around 400-500 grams weight.

[wedgee]

Glad to hear some actual experience, Robe... So u are using food grade Baking Soda for yr KH maintenance? How are the results, have u seen any abnormal happenings in yr tank?

If food grade baking soda is ok, then i guess no harm in trying this pharmaceutical use product?

Need a confirmation here...dont wana kill me tank...scary