Limewater potency and alkalinity

[BAMatter]

I’m aware that fully saturated limewater has a PH of 12.4, and that logarithmically potency decreases down below that. Recently took my stirrer offline because of a 12.0-12.1 ph effluent… question is since that is fairly dilute in comparison to 12.4, how will alkalinity be affected if I were to switch to an external vessel with fully saturated limewater? For example, if I dosed 12.1 ph limewater for 1000ml’s overnight and it boosted alk by .25dkh, will that boost be substantially higher with 12.4 ph limewater out of a reservoir?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’m aware that fully saturated limewater has a PH of 12.4, and that logarithmically potency decreases down below that. Recently took my stirrer offline because of a 12.0-12.1 ph effluent… question is since that is fairly dilute in comparison to 12.4, how will alkalinity be affected if I were to switch to an external vessel with fully saturated limewater? For example, if I dosed 12.1 ph limewater for 1000ml’s overnight and it boosted alk by .25dkh, will that boost be substantially higher with 12.4 ph limewater out of a reservoir?

Limewater with a pH of 12.1 is half as potent as if the pH were 12.4.

Hard to say for sure how the tank alk will respond to both less alk and a slightly lower pH. Demand for alk changes with both absolute alk and the pH.

 

[BAMatter]

Limewater with a pH of 12.1 is half as potent as if the pH were 12.4.

Hard to say for sure how the tank alk will respond to both less alk and a slightly lower pH. Demand for alk changes with both absolute alk and the pH.

So would assuming it to boost double the alk be “fairly” safe, or at least a good starting point for planning? If I was originally factoring it dosing .25dkh, if I factor .5dkh +/- would that avoid any insane swing when adjusting my 2 part amounts downward?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

So would assuming it to boost double the alk be “fairly” safe, or at least a good starting point for planning? If I was originally factoring it dosing .25dkh, if I factor .5dkh +/- would that avoid any insane swing when adjusting my 2 part amounts downward?

Yes, that's a reasonable plan if the pH measurement was reasonably accurate. :)

 

[BAMatter]

Yes, that's a reasonable plan if the pH measurement was reasonably accurate. :)

Thanks !