Remineralization Cartridges: Thoughts?

[TripleT]

New to the forum here and was wondering if a person has an acidic water source that using one of these after the DI is viable?

Articles claim that the remineralization cartridge will bring Ph to around the 8.2 - 8.3 level. Also, if anyone uses one of these cartridges, what is the life span of it? ie:gallons of H2O before replacement.

Which brand/manufacturer would be best for our hobby?

Thanks

[rayjay]

IMO, absolutely no need for it as everything needed is already in the salt mix.

[TripleT]

So, if you have acidic water, the salt mix would bring Ph into the correct range?

I hope that it is not by "Trial and Error" that a salt mix and water ratio is determined. This would seem rather futile. Unless you know what your water Ph is and what the alkalinity of your brand of salt will correct.

Am I missing something?

Cheers!

[Aquattro]

Adding the correct amount of salt into your fresh water will give you a pH in the correct range. Unless your tap water is pulling from beneath a volcano or some other weird source

[rayjay]

Measurement of pH of RO/DI water will not give you a factual result because the pH reading is going to be dependent on salts in the water which are non existent if your unit is working properly.
All salt mixes have buffers in them that will give you the proper pH assuming all other factors are correct.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by rayjay

Measurement of pH of RO/DI water will not give you a factual result because the pH reading is going to be dependent on salts in the water

No. pH measures the concentration of H+ ions in solution, not salts. RO, DI or other water can all be measured with a meter calibrated for the expected range. RO should be theoretically 7.0 and will be dependent on dissolved gases (O2, CO2) contributing ions to the mix.

TDS will measure salts and other dissolved solids in solution.

[rayjay]

Without any buffering salts in the water you won't get a proper pH reading.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-05/rhf/index.php#8

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by rayjay

Without any buffering salts in the water you won't get a proper pH reading.
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-05/rhf/index.php#8

Yes, you would. Pure water has a pH and is measurable. Acids are measurable. alkalis are measurable. All accurately, regardless of salts or lack of.

Anyway, not going to argue about it, the question wasn't about measuring pH. It's about does he need to buy a thingy? No, he does not.

[rayjay]

From the article, "The pH of highly purified water is not accurately measured by test kits, or by pH meters."
That doesn't mean there is no pH value, just that we have no method of measuring it and knowing the true value. Whatever reading you get with any of our methods of testing pH, it may or it may not accurately reflect the true value.
What method do you use that other hobbyists have access to that will definitely give a true reading?

[WarDog]

Rayjay, you are arguing with a guy who has a University degree In Water Quality Technology. Pretty sure he is the authority here.