MDP,
You stated that there are pH issues with using baking soda as an additive. It is not unusual to bake this baking soda in an oven in order to convert it into something less likely to reduce the pH in the display. I'm no chemist and I have no idea what baking it actually does, so I cannot explain this in any detail. This probably does nothing to remove any anti-caking agents but may actually remedy the pH issues that you spoke of earlier.
I have a bottle of "Buffer +dKH Generator" and the first ingredient is sodium bicarbonate (and then a few ingredients which I haven't the slightest clue as to what they are.) This stuff is hard as a rock (never had the need to use it), so I can somewhat understand what you are saying in reference to non-caking agents. It is somewhat obvious that baking soda minus the non-caking agent has a useful purpose for marine aquariums.
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