Re: pH -Reply--Question for Wright

[huntley@ix.netcom.com (Wright Huntley )]

Bob wrote: 
>
>In a message dated 97-09-19 09:28:13 EDT, you write:

>Have you ever tested the hardness of the water in this bucket of peat?  I am
>curious as to whether it will eventually measure zero.  I have experimented
>with a new product called "Tank Soft".  It can drive hardness down to below
>measureable levels using the standard <drops and titrate> test kits.
>Bob

Red-faced, I must admit I have never bothered to test it. Because of peat's 
ion-exchange properties I *assume* that gH is way down after a while. I doubt 
if kH is much affected. It is acid enough to do a very nice job of lowering 
pH, and it doesn't appear to *increase* hardness of soft water after being 
added.

I only measure tds, but the humic acids of the peat are part of the dissolved 
solids, so they contribute to less-than-zero tds, even if the water is dead 
soft. I also usually have added a little salt, which has zip effect on 
hardness, but raises tds (actually I'm measuring conductivity, if I have to 
bare all ;-)).

Wright


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Wright Huntley (510) 494-8679 Fremont, CA USA huntley@ix.netcom.com