? on PH values
- Thread starter Kitta
- Start date
hi.
Ultra pure water like RO/DI is a tricky thing to discuss pH on. This is because the notion of pH involves ratio of [H+] and [OH-], and it (ratio) can change greatly without much effect on the property of the water when there aren't much of the ions around.
So don't be too concern about the reading even if it is 4 or 11. But if you really want, you need to add ions (a drop of seawater, for example will suffice) to the water to provide some ions. Please notice that it does not mean that you should add anything to the RO/DI, as some additive companies try to make you to believe. It is done just to make the pH meter to get some "meaningful" reading. In addition, if you really want a pH of 7, the right way to do it is to add appropriate buffer to the RO/DI in addition to degas the water to alleviate the effect of CO2 in the air and other things that affect the pH of water. This is certainly not something you want to do without any need for the hassles.
Ultra pure water like RO/DI is a tricky thing to discuss pH on. This is because the notion of pH involves ratio of [H+] and [OH-], and it (ratio) can change greatly without much effect on the property of the water when there aren't much of the ions around.
So don't be too concern about the reading even if it is 4 or 11. But if you really want, you need to add ions (a drop of seawater, for example will suffice) to the water to provide some ions. Please notice that it does not mean that you should add anything to the RO/DI, as some additive companies try to make you to believe. It is done just to make the pH meter to get some "meaningful" reading. In addition, if you really want a pH of 7, the right way to do it is to add appropriate buffer to the RO/DI in addition to degas the water to alleviate the effect of CO2 in the air and other things that affect the pH of water. This is certainly not something you want to do without any need for the hassles.
Low pH (note pH, not Ph) is normal in water that has been treated by RO/DI water. It is a good idea to aerate this water for a day "de-gas" it. If you do this before you add pH buffer (sodium carbonate/bicarbonate) the buffer powder will be more effective. Is it neccessary? What is?!?!?!? Does it help? Yes. In short, don't worry what the pH of your RO/DI water is....worry about the pH (or more importantly...alkalinity) of your aquarium water.
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