Will it work ?

[fishy_jim]

While I await my new tank to be delivered I am doing a aging test. Picked up a 44 gallon Brute and filled it with water. I also dropped in a pump to circulate the water, an air stone, and a heater. At the time of filling it the temp was 70 degrees, TDS reading was 42, and my PH reading was 8.61. After circulating for approx half hour the PH reading was 8.5. Do you think the PH will drop to an acceptable level after 2 or 3 days. What is all your experience with aging water? Thanks in advance.

[brewmaster15]

Jim,
It usually takes 12-24 hours in a 44 gal brute (I use these) with moderate aeration to blow off any gasses.

But.. the main gas we are blowing of is CO2. When present CO2 brings down the pH... when off gased pH goes up. So in my water.. pH of 5.5 with CO2 from my well water offgases with aging 24 hours to pH of 7.6.



With your high starting pH it doesn't seem CO2 is your issue so I dont think your pH will come down with aging.

Question though.. TDS of 42? Id this tap water or RO water?

Al

[fishy_jim]

Thanks brewmaster15 !! OK, after looking at it again this morning after letting it go overnight I read a slightly lower ph 8.2. This is using my cheapo PH meter I acquired off Amazon. I then did a test using my API PH test which is new and I am reading 7.0 (give or take). I then tested my tap with the API test and visually the test result color of each matched with the tap being maybe a slight ting higher. I suspect that cheap PH meter to be crap at this point. Im going to go pick up a 3rd test and get a pack of the test strips just to see what it shows as a third reference point. Yes my TDS out of the tap is 42. My water is very soft here and has been the last 25 years in this house.

[LizStreithorst]

I'd be interested in knowing your kH reading.

[Iminit]

The cheap ph meter? Did it come calibrated? Many do not. They do supply stuff for you to calibrate it. Once calibrated they do work well. API ph test I’ve found to be a good test. Is your water well water? And if so does it go through a softener?

[fishy_jim]

I'd be interested in knowing your kH reading.

Hello - Just tested and KH reading is 40 (ppm) and GH is 15.

[fishy_jim]

Yeah - I just recalibrated and it read 7.8. API liquid test looks like 7.2 (ish) and the API test strip shows same (7.2 - 7.3) KH - 40 (ppm) and 10 - 15 GH. So it appears the recalibration got the meter closer inline with what API is showing. Im just supper happy Im not in the low 8 and verified with 3 different tests. This was measuring my aging water after 14 hours of aging.