Who buffers their top off water?

[Tabasco1]

Not sure if this should be in the newbies section or chemistry.

But, read that it is a good practice to adjust the ph of your top of water as the ph is about 5.something when it comes out of the RO/DI filter.

Are people doing this? If so what is the best way?

 

[FaviaFreak]

I use Kalk in my top off so it's buffered

 

[SoCaliReefin]

+1 Kalkwasser

 

[xmetalfan99]

I don't buffer my top off water.

 

[Tabasco1]

For those using kalk in their top off... are you dosing kalk as well or just using it in your top off? Are you making your own or purchasing pre made?

Thanks for the responses!

 

[nixer]

if i remember correctly ph of pure water should be 7.0
i use kalk for all my topoff

 

[FaviaFreak]

For those using kalk in their top off... are you dosing kalk as well or just using it in your top off? Are you making your own or purchasing pre made?

Thanks for the responses!

I'm using 2 pt in the AM and top off with kalk at night only

 

[Troylee]

Kalk in my top off... When I didn't use kalk yes I buffered it... Helps maintain a better stable ph..

 

[dougers31]

I add a very small amount of kalk to my topoff since I t/o manually. My t/o ph is around 9 or so.

 

[CJO]

kalk in my top off... When i didn't use kalk yes i buffered it... Helps maintain a better stable ph..

+1

cj

 

[AZDesertRat]

There are too few ions to measure the pH in RO/DI water accurately. There really is no reason to buffer it as it is basically neutral and quickly takes on the pH of whatever it is added to or is added to it.
Probably doesn't hurt anything but again doesn't help anything either.

If you are using special anionic or cationic resins other than normal mixed bed resins you can adversely affect the pH but with most nuclear or semiconductor grade resins its not a problem.

 

[VegasRick]

There are too few ions to measure the pH in RO/DI water accurately. There really is no reason to buffer it as it is basically neutral and quickly takes on the pH of whatever it is added to or is added to it.
Probably doesn't hurt anything but again doesn't help anything either.

If you are using special anionic or cationic resins other than normal mixed bed resins you can adversely affect the pH but with most nuclear or semiconductor grade resins its not a problem.

+1
I use kw in my top off

 

[Tabasco1]

Thanks all! Is there a difference between kalk and buffer?? Or Are they essentially the same?

 

[VegasRick]

Big difference. Kalkwasser adds both ca and alk and has a pH of 12 at full saturation. That means you want to add it slowly. Buffer only adds alkalinity.