I know I'm not Robinson Crusoe, but I don't have a great deal of confidence in my interpretation of my pH test results ( I use the Aussie CCL test kit which I believe is similar to the Taylors one used widely in the States?).
The colour scale ranges from yellowy/orange hue at the low end (6.8) , to pinky/red at the 'high' end (7.8).
Now, as much as I'd like to call 7.6, I'm thinking my pH sits in the 8+ range in reality.
Problem is, while I know it's more than 7.2, from 7.4 up on the colour scale, they all appear pink/purple?? to me, but none of them actually match the colour of my sample, which seems a much 'deeper' colour (I wish the colour scale went to 8/8.2 !!). When I say 'deeper' colour, it's a richer colour, but not necessarily pinker or redder?? (Hope I'm explaining myself properly here??).
I test the standard, and I see the 7.2 as it clearly has an orange tinge to it.
What I'd like to be able to do is test the water, get the same reading I always get (7.6 - 8.2 ??? somewhere), then incrementally add a small amount of acid & retest to see the gradual effect on the viewing tube scale - I'm sure this will help me understand which range my normal test sits in.
Does this sound feasible?? - and if so,
1/. How much acid ( I use Hydrochloric Acid) would I need to add to a 500ml (17floz?) sample to reduce pH by .1 or .2 ?? (I envisage using a pipette).
2/. As I don't particularly want to be playing around with dripping Hydrochloric Acid, would I get the same result using vinegar, lemon juice, or some other form of less 'nasty' acid??
Just by the by, I'm adding 500ml of HCL Acid weekly, and the pH reading doesn't ever seem to change (TA also sits fairly steadily in the 75-100 range)
The colour scale ranges from yellowy/orange hue at the low end (6.8) , to pinky/red at the 'high' end (7.8).
Now, as much as I'd like to call 7.6, I'm thinking my pH sits in the 8+ range in reality.
Problem is, while I know it's more than 7.2, from 7.4 up on the colour scale, they all appear pink/purple?? to me, but none of them actually match the colour of my sample, which seems a much 'deeper' colour (I wish the colour scale went to 8/8.2 !!). When I say 'deeper' colour, it's a richer colour, but not necessarily pinker or redder?? (Hope I'm explaining myself properly here??).
I test the standard, and I see the 7.2 as it clearly has an orange tinge to it.
What I'd like to be able to do is test the water, get the same reading I always get (7.6 - 8.2 ??? somewhere), then incrementally add a small amount of acid & retest to see the gradual effect on the viewing tube scale - I'm sure this will help me understand which range my normal test sits in.
Does this sound feasible?? - and if so,
1/. How much acid ( I use Hydrochloric Acid) would I need to add to a 500ml (17floz?) sample to reduce pH by .1 or .2 ?? (I envisage using a pipette).
2/. As I don't particularly want to be playing around with dripping Hydrochloric Acid, would I get the same result using vinegar, lemon juice, or some other form of less 'nasty' acid??
Just by the by, I'm adding 500ml of HCL Acid weekly, and the pH reading doesn't ever seem to change (TA also sits fairly steadily in the 75-100 range)