Aging Barrel

[Charlyc11]

I took a different approach since the Soda ash was going too far.

30 gallons of well water right from the well:
PH = 5.13
Gh = 5
KH = 0
TDS = 190
25 Gallons of RO
PH - 5.4
TDS = 10
Added 10 Grams of Baking Soda

After aging 15 hrs at 84 F
PH = 6.77
GH = 3
KH = 3
TDS = 130

[Charlyc11]

After aging 24 hrs at 84 F
PH = 7.6 it will keep going up to about 7.8
GH = 3
KH = 3
TDS = 130

[dspeers]

I am very curious about what the water experts have to say to explain this. To my limited understanding this does not make sense.
The continuing change in pH indicates that there is another source of alkalinity other than carbonate/bicarb but given the pH increases I would expect that the measured "TDS" would increase. I am at a loss that your water does not. The time delay to reach pH equilibrium and your gH falling 40 % is also puzzle to me. Either there is an induced error with what you are using to measure, or maybe there is a low degree of precipitation of CaCO3/MgCO3 which I would not expect at such a low general hardness. Alternately my knowledge base is insufficient. Hoping someone can explain this.....

[LizStreithorst]

Once upon a time we had a water expert here. We don't have one now. I sure wish we did. Water chemistry is extremely complex.

[dspeers]

Agreed, my pre-med chemistry from 30+ years ago is insufficient to the task.