[MDPinUSA]

Long post. But it covers the development of this thread.

Baking sodium bicarbonate (baking soda, Na HCo3) will turn it into sodium carbonate (Na Co3).

Sodium carbonate has a pH significantly higher than NSW. Adding sodium carbonate to a marine aquarium will drive pH up. Sodium carbonate does nothing to maintain let alone regulate pH.

Those that promote untested and unscientific methods are a few of the credentials that are essential to apply for aqua guru™ status. The internet provides an ideal platform for arm chair chemists to expound aqua-idiocy™.

Those that suggest mixing two inferior brands of marine salts in an attempt to hydrate a mystery solution that can somehow produce magical test numbers, reside on Dream Street. These are not the people to learn from.

It would be simpler and smarter to use a marine salt that mixed to the proper levels initially. Who knows, such a brand just might yield superior results?

Only at this level are we exposed to a few that expound that two wrongs make a right.

The same mentality suggests turning off aquarium lights for several days to reduce unwanted algae. This with no regard to the captive marine life subjected to this (and other) unnatural conditions. I would think that avoiding the use of items or procedure that created the troublesome algae problem initially would be smarter.

Found at this level of hobby (and some "professional") marine aquarium keepers are those that reflect a highly disproportionate number of The Great Unwashed. This segment graphically illustrates double digit IQ. I.e. the lowest mental common denominator.

AR (analytical reagent) grade calcium chloride is a superior choice for increasing the total calcium ion vs. ice melt salt. However, is cost more.

Dealers and web sites that have created and pander to a customer base that is cost oriented are not caught between a rock and a hard place. IMO, they are under a rock.

We had a LFS that was moving to a new location. They ordered our lowest priced marine salt for their new store set up. When that special promotion expired, they chose another low cost salt. Some months later I made a sales call to this shop. I saw 6 brands of marine salts "on special". IMO none of these brands were able to offer this store or their customers the best results with minimal aquarium maintenance.

I pointed to one brand that is generally agreed to be crap. The owner of the shop said with conviction that he used that brand in his store tanks. This resulted in a tremendous bloom of unwanted algae and basic chemical imbalances.

I asked why he was selling it, if he would not use it? His reply.... "If I don't sell it, someone else will." This dealer (and far to many others) simply fail. They do not care what they sell. Just sell something is a sign that might be found in their employee rest room. The victims are the consumers and the delicate, exotic and costly live stock they attempt to keep.

Traditionally customers that whine, whimper, pule, complain, cry then ferret out the lowest cost items are short lived in the marine aquarium hobby.

There are hobbyists that complain that their favorite LFS closed. Then comment that this shop sold things so cheap. These dolts have no clue as to what is required to provide adequate to superior products and service.

Part of doing business in the marine aquarium live stock industry is to inform, educate and guide your customers to success Vs. selling less than optimal items. Then selling nonessential add-on's. Sooner than later that level of customer base will evaporate. They are driven or forced out of their hobby of choice. They will spend their expendable income in other areas. Such as home electronics.

Smart dealers guide their customers to success. They do not sell questionable or known second or third rate items. They do not compete with discount or chain stores by selling the same low end brand items. They sell superior items and provide superior service. They understand that their success depends on our success.

Dealing in the marine aquarium business is highly specialized. A great amount of knowledge, financial resource and integrity is required.

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