GH/KH Puzzle

Homebrew Talk - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Forum

Help Support Homebrew Talk - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Gavagai

Gavagai

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2010
Messages
174
Reaction score
7
Location
Lincoln
According to my water department, my water profile is as follows:

Calcium: 3 mg/l
Magnesium: 0.6 mg/l
Sodium: 4 mg/l
Chloride: 5 mg/l
Sulfate: 9 mg/l
Alkalinity (as bicarbonate): 3 mg/l

These numbers have predicted my mash pH pretty well with Kai's water calculator. However, I just tested my water with an aquarium GH/KH test kit, and got 89.5ppm GH and 71.6 KH. What's going on?
 
The difference in RA between the two waters is only about 50 ppm. that amounts to a pH shift of only 0.05 with a mash thickness of 1.33 qt/lb. This is well within the accuracy that one can predict from mash pH prediction.

The first water profile you listed is really low mineral. Does LA have access to such low mineral water? I thought the LA water had more dissolved solids than that.

Kai
 
Whoops, forgot to update my location. I'm in Massachusetts now. The water source is a local pond.

Thanks for the info. Should I trust my water department, or my test kit? I'm thinking of just sending in a sample to Ward Labs to ease my mind.
 

Similar threads

mitchh718
I need Brewfather water help
Replies
3
Views
613
Silver_Is_Money
Silver_Is_Money
3
Water Report Question
Replies
4
Views
770
CascadesBrewer
CascadesBrewer
S
Water profile advice
Replies
12
Views
936
stiray
S
B
Total Hardness vs Alkalinity
Replies
8
Views
1K
broskobandi
B
N
Is my tap water usesless for brewing?
Replies
22
Views
2K
CascadesBrewer
CascadesBrewer
Brewer's Friend 300

Latest posts

Back
Top