by db1979 » Thu Sep 19, 2019 9:10 pm
I think your problem is because you've set up a buffer in your backset. Buffering has the effect that addition of alkaline to an acid solution doesn't appear to raise the pH (or addition of acid to alkaline solution doesn't appear to lower the pH). Buffers occur when you have a weak acid in the presence of its conjugate weak base or with weak bases in the presence of its conjugate weak acid. Very confusing concept for most, and often not well explained.
Simple solution would be to use less backset or start fresh with no backset.
If you want to know what buffers are... I'll try and explain them. :?
Most people who remember some high school science of acids and bases will remember that acids donate hydrogen. Well when they do, they then become a base because it's also possible that they accept a hydrogen back again, but it's unlikely for many acids to do this because they are happy without their hydrogen. Acids that give up their hydrogen very easily and don't want it back are called strong acids. Weak acids are ones that will give up their hydrogen but could quite easily have it back again. When in the form that might want their hydrogen back again, they are known as the conjugate base of the acid. A buffer is a mixture of a weak acid with significant amounts of its conjugate base. The mixture can react with acid that is added (because the conjugate base will react with the added acid) and it can also react with base that is added (because the weak acid will react with the added base) and the effect seen is no significant change in pH. pH doesn't change because pH is a measure of how much hydrogen is floating around and not attached to acids or base molecules. The buffer makes sure this amount of hydrogen floating around is kept pretty constant, hence no change in pH.
With addition of more acid or base, the buffer can be broken (get to a pH range where the buffer effect is no longer seen), but it's hard to know just how much to add.
Bluc, did you add extra citric acid, Epsom salt or DAP with each new gen?