Sodium bicarbonate vs soda ash. what is difference?

hernluis · 01/29/2010, 11:33 AM

so what is the difference between sodium bicarbonate and soda ash? Can socium bicarbonate be converted to soda ash by heating? if so what temp and for how long? thanks

vegaskid11 · 01/29/2010, 12:00 PM

Spread even on baking sheet and cook at 300 degrees for 1 hour. Also, Randy said that you can NOT overheat or cook to long. This process will drive off Co2 from the powder. GL

Randy Holmes-Farley · 01/29/2010, 12:03 PM

Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. NaHCO3.

Washing soda = soda ash = sodium carbonate = baked baking soda = Na2CO3.

hernluis · 01/29/2010, 01:44 PM

ok, should i spread it thinly or can i do a bulk cook?

HighlandReefer · 01/29/2010, 04:44 PM

Spreading it out in less than a 1" layer seems to work better. I prefer to cook it at 400 degrees for an hour. You can't overcook it.

7hogwarts · 01/30/2010, 07:19 AM

I agree with 400 degrees for one hour, but I always use a glass pan instead. My fear of picking up some metal from the baking sheet. I don't know if that would occur but better safe than sorry.

Randy Holmes-Farley · 01/30/2010, 07:44 AM

like a turkey, a thick layer will take a long time to heat up inside, but should still work if you wait long enough.

dapettit · 01/30/2010, 08:31 AM

As soon as it cools a little, immediately store it in an air-tight container (big mason jar, mayo jar pickle jar, etc..),-glass container if possible so it doesn't absorb any moisture/impurities from the air or the jar (don't use plastic or metal containers if possible) - Baking Soda is probably the worlds greatest "odor eater" and this is why - it will absorb anything it comes in contact with, so it's important to store it air-tight in a totally inert container that can be cleaned to the level of sterility (like glass).

01/29/2010, 11:33 AM	#1
hernluis Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 177	Sodium bicarbonate vs soda ash. what is difference? so what is the difference between sodium bicarbonate and soda ash? Can socium bicarbonate be converted to soda ash by heating? if so what temp and for how long? thanks

01/29/2010, 12:03 PM	#3
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. NaHCO3. Washing soda = soda ash = sodium carbonate = baked baking soda = Na2CO3. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

01/29/2010, 04:44 PM	#5
HighlandReefer Team RC Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highland, Maryland Entomologist Posts: 14,591	Spreading it out in less than a 1" layer seems to work better. I prefer to cook it at 400 degrees for an hour. You can't overcook it. __________________ Cliff Babcock Intestests: Digital Microscopy; Marine Pest Control; Marine Plants & Macroalgae Current Tank Info: 180 g. mixed reef system

01/30/2010, 07:44 AM	#7
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	like a turkey, a thick layer will take a long time to heat up inside, but should still work if you wait long enough. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

01/30/2010, 08:31 AM	#8
dapettit Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 209	As soon as it cools a little, immediately store it in an air-tight container (big mason jar, mayo jar pickle jar, etc..),-glass container if possible so it doesn't absorb any moisture/impurities from the air or the jar (don't use plastic or metal containers if possible) - Baking Soda is probably the worlds greatest "odor eater" and this is why - it will absorb anything it comes in contact with, so it's important to store it air-tight in a totally inert container that can be cleaned to the level of sterility (like glass). __________________ Now that the kids are married and out of the house we decided to adopt a mini-reef. Kids are cheaper! Current Tank Info: 150 gal mixed reef tank

01/29/2010, 12:00 PM	#2
vegaskid11 vegasreefers.com Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 742	Spread even on baking sheet and cook at 300 degrees for 1 hour. Also, Randy said that you can NOT overheat or cook to long. This process will drive off Co2 from the powder. GL

01/29/2010, 01:44 PM	#4
hernluis Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 177	ok, should i spread it thinly or can i do a bulk cook?

01/30/2010, 07:19 AM	#6
7hogwarts Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 125	I agree with 400 degrees for one hour, but I always use a glass pan instead. My fear of picking up some metal from the baking sheet. I don't know if that would occur but better safe than sorry.