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- Nov 15, 2009
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When restarting nightly Kalkwasser dosing, why does it take a week or more for average pH to stabilize at the higher value? What is happening chemically that takes a week+? See chart below.
I have seen this trend before, and I don’t understand why this happens. I’m curious and would like an explanation if someone can educate me.
Here is the story behind the chart…
I turned off my nightly kalk dosing and my average pH went down over several days/nights. I expected this. There were other things happening like water changes so I didn’t monitor the trend.
At the beginning of the chart above, I restarted Kalkwasser at 1/2 my maintenance dose (alkalinity demand). The reason for the lower dose is I found my alkalinity much higher than my target so I was allowing it to drift down to my target.
My alkalinity is falling a little every day, but with Kalk added each night the average pH trends up over time. I know from past experience it will level out and the day/night swing will become fairly consistent. The average pH will level out little under 8.2. My tank is aerated with outside air so windows open/closed have less effect on pH.
What is happening in the water that takes time to reach the new average?
I have seen this trend before, and I don’t understand why this happens. I’m curious and would like an explanation if someone can educate me.
Here is the story behind the chart…
I turned off my nightly kalk dosing and my average pH went down over several days/nights. I expected this. There were other things happening like water changes so I didn’t monitor the trend.
At the beginning of the chart above, I restarted Kalkwasser at 1/2 my maintenance dose (alkalinity demand). The reason for the lower dose is I found my alkalinity much higher than my target so I was allowing it to drift down to my target.
My alkalinity is falling a little every day, but with Kalk added each night the average pH trends up over time. I know from past experience it will level out and the day/night swing will become fairly consistent. The average pH will level out little under 8.2. My tank is aerated with outside air so windows open/closed have less effect on pH.
What is happening in the water that takes time to reach the new average?