pH drop with aeration test.

[seahorsedreams]

A friend of mine was having low pH issues. I told her to do the aeration test where she takes the water sample outside and aerates it rigorously for an hour or so. I expected the pH it to either stay the same or go up. But it went down to 7.4 from 7.8-8.0. I'm unfamilar with that happening and would love to hear the logic behind it.

[Serioussnaps]

did it heat the water a great deal???????? i bet it was very hot outside...could be wrong but sounds like it

i am no chemist or authority but i notice that all my water keeps a higher ph at a lower temperature....couldnt tell you why...just something practical i have noticed

ask randy if i am wrong

[seahorsedreams]

Oh SNAP! She bubbled the water inside the house.... not outside like instructed. She has since taken it outside and her pH rose to 8.8. Thanks for your help.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

You might double check the calibration of the meter. Those seem like big swings, although they do seem to be in the appropriate direction now. :)

[seahorsedreams]

Her Alk is through the roof... she's been using a buffer to combat low pH.

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

OK, I'd let that come down on its own. :)

This article has more:

Solving Calcium and Alkalinity Problems
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/chem.htm