Sodium Bicarbonate vs Sodium Carbonate

[Koonitdo]

Hi Guys,

i read on the net that we could use Sodium Bicarbonate and carbonate to increase our KH.

http://web.archive.org/web/20021127040526/http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm

Bicarbonate and carbonate are used in different PH values.

my question is, if corals use bicarbonate to make their shell(carbonate) shouldn't we be dosing bicarbonate instead of carbonate?

[sunny03]

Not sure if I remember correctly. Please do a check... Bicarbonate increase kh, little of ph Carbonate increase kh and ph If we bake bicarbonate in oven at 300+ deg for a certain period of time we get carbonate

[Gouldian]

IMHO,

Sodium Carbonate = Na2CO3 - highly caustic and will raise pH drastically if overdose

Sodium Bicarbonate = NaHCo3 - less caustic and will not drastically effect pH

I will go for the latter.