Alkalinity Additive

Introduction

These additives are used to add alkalinity "only" to the system. The reason that only is in inverted commas there is that alkalinity is the carbonate and bicarbonate components, which must be present with counter ions, typically sodium.

Commercially available additives will typically contain sodium bicarbonate, with some other minor components that also make up the alkalinity buffering system (such as borates).

It is also possible to simply use baking soda, as it composes of just sodium bicarbonate. Do not use baking powder, the correct item is baking soda, as baking powder has other things included in it, cream of tartar and starch, that you do not want to add to a marine aquarium.