PREIS Sodium bicarbonate for the making of the Balling method. With the Balling method, which takes its name from Hans-Werner Balling, you can raise the level of calcium and the carbonate hardness (KH) of the marine water using two compounds: calcium chloride (CaCl2) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). The calcium and bicarbonate ions bond together, increasing the level of calcium and the carbonate hardness of the water. At the same time, the sodium bonds with the chloride forming sodium chloride (table salt), the main component in sea salt. Since the repeated addition of both compounds increases the level of sodium chloride which causes an ionic deviation, a sea salt without NaCl must be added as a third compound (composed of trace elements only). To offset the ionic deviation, use Preis mineral salt and regularly check the salt level, because depending on the amount added, you need to reduce the sea salt to be dissolved during the water change.The excess of sea salt comes from the sodiu