Hi all and possibly Randy,
I just recently mixed up a batch of soda ash (BRS Pharma) for my 2 part dosing. Since I have a magnetic stirrer and large beakers, I automatically did that, without giving it much though. I mixed it for about 30 min or so until the solution went completely clear. However, next day when I went to dose some of it, I noticed the solution "crystalizing" when it hits the water in the sump... turning into floaty flake like things (not all of it, but enough to see it floating around in the sump).
I've never made or dosed Soda Ash so I was not sure if thats normal. I am familiar with other alk solutions turning cloudy/milky, but they usually stay suspended and liquid until it mixes with the water, but this turned into floaters. So I went back to the instructions and read read that BRS suggests shaking the solution for a few minutes and then leaving it alone until all of the chemical dissolves. That got me thinking whether it was OK to mix Soda Ash with a stirrer until clear or whether that much agitation would either make it break into other elements or perhaps precipitate.
Anyone can tell me if that was fine, or do I need to remix the solution with the way BRS recommends doing it. Thanks!
I just recently mixed up a batch of soda ash (BRS Pharma) for my 2 part dosing. Since I have a magnetic stirrer and large beakers, I automatically did that, without giving it much though. I mixed it for about 30 min or so until the solution went completely clear. However, next day when I went to dose some of it, I noticed the solution "crystalizing" when it hits the water in the sump... turning into floaty flake like things (not all of it, but enough to see it floating around in the sump).
I've never made or dosed Soda Ash so I was not sure if thats normal. I am familiar with other alk solutions turning cloudy/milky, but they usually stay suspended and liquid until it mixes with the water, but this turned into floaters. So I went back to the instructions and read read that BRS suggests shaking the solution for a few minutes and then leaving it alone until all of the chemical dissolves. That got me thinking whether it was OK to mix Soda Ash with a stirrer until clear or whether that much agitation would either make it break into other elements or perhaps precipitate.
Anyone can tell me if that was fine, or do I need to remix the solution with the way BRS recommends doing it. Thanks!