Testing Water

[Normski]

I've seen a few people mention adjusting there water to under 7 ph. Using a ph meter to measure.
I have been using a Salifert KH Test kit. You can buy them from EBay or a tropical fish shop. It costs about a tenner. It’s quick to do. And there’s enough in a kit to last a few years.

Norm

[Admiral Toad]

just ordered 50 strips off amazon for under a fiver inc postage
will tell if they're any good

[Normski]

Hi AT
Sorry, I should have described the test a bit better. Its a liquid kit that you use to test the Alkalinity/Hardness of your water its not PH strips.
There is a seller on ebay item No 200587280210. I havnt used this seller so cant comment on them. I bought mine a year or so ago from another seller.
The kit comprises of a syringe and a few bottles of liquid etc. And a chart to look up the results. I've used it for my AG brewing. Theres enough in the kit for between 100-200 tests. If your water is really hard you will need to half the strenth of the test and then double up the result to get the correct PH.
It is a bit of a faff but once you get the hang of it, it does do a good job.
Norm

[Admiral Toad]

Hi mate
Water where we are is 0g calcium ie soft so just wanting to check ph

[Capt-Cudellez]

Hi Normski - I think it was one of my posts talking about adjusting pH. I was actually adjusting the pH of the strip that is normally quite acidic, rather than the wash.

For pitching yeast I normally aim for 5-5.5pH, the yeasts don't like a higher pH, which is why a good few wash recipes include malic or citric acid, the yeast will take it down to the low 3's by the time its finished fermenting.
Also if using backset\dunder\slops in the next generation of your wash (wisky\rum type washes) it may already be too acidic - so you have to adjust up to where the yeast you are using likes to start off.

Even though the yeast do well taking the pH down a few points, I think they need to acclimatise to the lower pH, so don't do well starting off too low or high.

[Normski]

Hi CC

Many thanks for that explanation.

Norm

[Capt-Cudellez]

I used last night for the first time this chemical test kit for adjusting pH
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Soil-pH-tester-pH-4-8-complete-kit-50-100-tests-Optional-upgrades-meter-/140754872358?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Garden_Plants_Fertiliser_CV&var=&hash=item6675c8e404#ht_2583wt_1344

I bought the large version that will do loads of tests - gives a good indication.
The same seller also has narrow range test papers that might be useful.

I had 1.5L of 95% heads from a run I did at the weekend - added 3.5L of water to bring down the ABV and adjusted with calcium carbonate to about 6.5pH, popped the lot in my heads keg.