Raising Alkalinity

What’s your take on using regular baking soda vs alkalinity increaser sold in the pool stores?

Although both products are similar, they are not the same. It is very common to use sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) to raise total alkalinity and sodium carbonate (soda ash) to raise pH — the exception being if both total alkalinity and pH are low. Understanding that it is impossible to raise one without effecting the other chemically. There is a difference. Using baking soda will have a more measurable effect on total alkalinity, while only raising the pH of water slightly. Soda Ash will actually have a dramatic effect on both pH and total alkalinity.

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