Should I use baking soda to increase pH?

[NikkiY]

Up to now, when I change the water, I will first use commercial pH adjusting solution to increase the water pH to 7. Can I use baking soda and get the same result? My water have very good KH value but almost non-existence GH. BTW, mine is a planted freshwater tank.

Thanks.

Nikki

 

[simonbrown403]

i use bicarb of soda, takes a little getting use to thought, best to exsperment outside the tank first to suss out.

i mix a table spoon in a 250ml bottle with water, i find it easyer to use that way

 

[SirMinion]

Unless your water is excesively acid I'd leave the pH well alone. Trying to adjust it using additives can easily lead to a crash and the loss of all your stock.
Most fish can happily adjust to an alien pH as long as its not extreme.

If the pH seriously needs to be raised, say for soda lake cichlids, then it's better to add coral sand to the substate or in the filter which then buffers the pH preventing a crash.

 

[NikkiY]

Well, I don't know what happen to my well water. It used to be quite acidic. When I tested it just now, it was perfectly 7.0. I guess I don't need to adjust hte pH after all.

Thanks for all your advises. When my water goes back to acidic again, I know what to do.

Nikki