Marine and Freshwater Carbon Study
Fresh and Saltwater Nitrifying Bacteria Experiment
pH Change in Sample Containers
Tapwater, RO and Saltwater pH Change Study
Tapwater, RO pH Change while Aerating Storage Containers
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Carbon, pH and Other Marine Research

Tapwater, RO pH Change
while Aerating Storage Containers

Disclaimer

While the following experiments were completed with the greatest amount of care and precision, they were nonetheless performed in our home with test kits and materials on hand. As such, results should not be considered scientifically conclusive.

Goal

To determine pH change of tapwater and RO water during filling the storage container as well as during a specified period of aerating the storage container.

Equipment

• Hanna Instruments HI 931700 pH Probe and Monitor
• two clean 5 gallon pails
• one clean two quart plastic jug
• untreated tapwater
• RO water made from a Kent Marine TFC 24 gpd RO unit
• two AquaClear 1000 powerheads, 80 gph

 

Method

Tapwater:

• From the cold water tap in kitchen, tapwater fills a clean plastic 2 quart container.  pH probe is placed in the container for a 5 minute period after which pH in the 2 quart container is measured and recorded. This tapwater is then poured into the 5 gallon bucket.
• The plastic 2 quart container is then filled again, pH probe is placed in container for a 5 minute period after which pH in the 2 quart container is measured and recorded.
• After two 2 quart containers full of tapwater have been added to the 5 gallon pail, the pH probe is placed in the pail for a 5 minute period after which pH in the pail is measured and recorded.
• Directly before the next round of adding two 2 quart containers of tapwater are added to the 5 gallon pail, pH probe is placed in the pail for 5 minutes after which pH is measured and recorded.
• At regular intervals, the above steps are repeated until the 5 gallon pail is full of tapwater.  pH probe is placed in the pail for a 5 minute period after which pH in the pail is measured and recorded.
• An AC 1000 powerhead is then placed in the pail and turned on.  The pail is covered.
• pH in the pail will be recorded at predetermined intervals for a predetermined period of time.

RO Water:

• From the RO unit tap in kitchen, RO water fills a clean plastic 2 quart container.  pH probe is placed in the container for a 5 minute period after which pH in the 2 quart container is measured and recorded. This RO water is then poured into the 5 gallon bucket.
• The plastic 2 quart container is then filled again, pH probe is placed in container for a 5 minute period after which pH in the 2 quart container is measured and recorded.
• After two 2 quart containers full of RO water have been added to the 5 gallon pail, the pH probe is placed in the pail for a 5 minute period after which pH in the pail is measured and recorded.
• Directly before the next round of adding two 2 quart containers of RO water are added to the 5 gallon pail, pH probe is placed in the pail for 5 minutes after which pH is measured and recorded.
• At regular intervals, the above steps are repeated until the 5 gallon pail is full of RO water.  pH probe is placed in the pail for a 5 minute period after which pH in the pail is measured and recorded.
• Pails will be left uncovered and unaerated for a predetermined period of time and pH will be measured at predetermined intervals.
• An AC 1000 powerhead is placed in the pail and turned on.  The pail is covered.
• pH in the pail will be recorded at predetermined intervals for a predetermined period of time.

Details:

• Tapwater and RO water testing will occur simultaneously.
• During the hours water is being added to the pails, pails will remain uncovered and will remain uncovered for several hours after all water has been added.
• After all water has been added to the pails, duration of pH probe in each pail before taking readings will be 30 minutes.
• Once aeration begins, pails will be covered. They will be uncovered for pH reading periods only.  Duration of pH probe in each aerated pail before taking readings will be 5 minutes.
• All pH readings will be taken after pH probe has been in the water sample for five minutes.  Time will be measured by a kitchen timer.

 

Data

* no reading taken

 

Observations

Incomplete.

 

Conclusions

Incomplete.