How to Add Baking Soda to the Water in a Fish Tank

Fish tanks must have regular maintenance for maximum benefits of the fish in them. If the pH level in the tank needs to be raised, everyday household items like baking soda may help. Baking soda alone can raise the pH level, but you will also need to increase the water hardness with Epsom salt and marine salt mix (calcium chloride). All of these ingredients may be found at a local pet store, shopping center or a pool supply store.

Things You'll Need

  • baking soda
  • Epsom salt
  • marine salt mix
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Instructions

    • 1

      Test the pH level of your fish tank to determine if you need to raise the pH level. Keep pH strips on hand and check the levels at least once a month. Clean the water, which contains fish waste, with a vacuum tube---found at pet supply stores---to help maintain a healthy balance.

    • 2

      Multiply the number of gallons of water your fish tank holds by 3.78541178 to convert gallons to liters. Divide the number of liters by 10 to get the number of solution batches you will need for your tank.

    • 3
      Coarse marine salt.

      Mix a solution of baking soda, Epsom salt, and marine salt mix in equal parts by adding one milliliter of each ingredient for every 10 liters of water. Measure the ingredients into a bowl and then slowly add the mixture into the tank. A 75-gallon fish tank will need approximately 28.5 milliliters---or about 2 tablespoons---of each ingredient.