how can pH go DOWN when I add sodium bicarb to water

Subject: how can pH go DOWN when I add sodium bicarb to water

Date: Fri Mar 24 03:39:27 2000
Posted by Peter Kinderman
Grade level: No grade entered. School: University of Manchester
City: Manchester State/Province: No state entered. Country: UK
Area of science: Chemistry
ID: 953890767.Ch

Message:


I keep fish. My tap water is alkaline (10.3!). That is too alkaline even 
for malawi cichlids. Normally aquarists have to add bicarb to raise pH. 
When I add bicarb to my water, the pH drops to 8.6 (which is fine).
How can this be?

Re: how can pH go DOWN when I add sodium bicarb to water

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