Question about adding MA.

[superman0604]

If I am trying to lower my TA is there any difference is adding MA at 7.5 to get to 7.2 or waiting until 7.8 to get to 7.2? Like does several small additions reduce TA the same as one big addition but not as often?

(may have been answered before, I tried to search.)

 

[elwood58]

For some reason, larger additions of MA seem to have a more measurable impact on reducing TA. You can aerate to get the pH up, and then MA down to 7.2 and aerate up again. It will amaze you how far you can drop TA in a week.

 

[superman0604]

Thanks. Guess I'll start letting it get a little higher before adding MA. Can already tell I'm going to need a couple more jugs of MA.

 

[JasonLion]

Adding acid more frequently lowers TA just a little bit faster. The difference is small however, and you probably won't notice it.

 

[chem geek]

Lowering the pH to 7.2 has carbon dioxide outgas about twice as fast compared to a pH of 7.5 while a pH of 7.8 outgasses about half as fast. Probably more important and noticeable, however, is how much aeration you provide. Even turning up the returns with the pump on high can help speed things along quite a bit.

 

[BethyM]

I'm interested in this too! Taken a break from my aggressive TA lowering due to family issues, but ready to get back at it.


Will TA lower more quickly

1) if pH is adjusted to 7.2 each time it reaches 7.5 or
2) if pH is adjusted to 7.2 when it reaches 7.8 (requiring a larger dose of MA)

 

[chem geek]

Jason already answered this. #1 is a somewhat faster (not a lot), but obviously more effort since you need to add acid more frequently.

 

[BethyM]

Thanks for clearing it up chemgeek -- I know we're probably talking minor differences here either but somehow I read it and got two different answers in my head and wasn't sure which it was! I'm pretty stoked that TA has been reduced to a point where a gallon of MA is sufficient to lower me from 7.8 to 7.2! I see the end in sight!