Will baking soda raise specific gravity?

[jamnman]

I can't figure out why my Sg is always on the rise.
The only thing I can come up with is the baking soda I am adding to my tank daily to maintain Alk levels.
Is this the culprit.
Thanks,
James

 

[ty_05_f]

Just checking but do you top-off with non-saltwater?

 

[oscardeuce]

Yes, any "solute" you add to the solvent will increase the specific gravity.

 

[jamnman]

Originally posted by Ty_05_f
Just checking but do you top-off with non-saltwater?
Top off with fresh water.

 

[jamnman]

Originally posted by oscardeuce
Yes, any "solute" you add to the solvent will increase the specific gravity.
You have a wild way of wording things.
Thanks for the info.

 

[fastmarc]

Yes, baking soda will raise it over time and so will those commercial ones (ESV, etc).

 

[nm reef]

I've never heard any discussion indicating additivves or baking soda will increase salinity....but I suppose its possible. Just doesn't seem likely to me.....:thinking:
I wonder what Randy Holmes-farley has to say on the subject?:thinking:

 

[yosemite sam]

It's not raising salinity, but specific gravity, which is a measure of disolved elements in liquid. I measure specific gravity when I make beer too, but I'm measuring sugars in the water, not salts.

 

[fastmarc]

NM, Randy did an article, How to Select a Calcium and Alkalinity Supplementation Scheme that details this effect using the 2 part additives.
It does raise the salinity over time which could be quite a lot depending on the amount being used.
If I remember correctly, links to other sites are not allowed here, so if you want a link to the article, let me know and I could send it to you.

 

[nm reef]

I'm pretty sure I know where it'd be....and I may have seen it but failed to pay attention to the detail. Many of his articles I just browse over....all that high tech stuff creates headaches. But...if he says its so then I'd tend to believe it.

 

[fastmarc]

Originally posted by NM reef
....all that high tech stuff creates headaches.
I know what you mean.

 

[oscardeuce]

Come on, it just prenatal chemistry!