Measuring PH balance of Chemicals

Kuby · Mar 14, 2018

I'd like to start measuring the PH of my bleach so I can keep it in range. Any tools out there you all recommend? I'm thinking about purchasing something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...ecd9-53c4-bc0e-a00d14b99e74&pf_rd_i=393271011

faberryman · Mar 14, 2018

The paper strips work well and are cheap. It is what I use.

Kuby · Mar 14, 2018

Yeah they work pretty well? I guess I probably won't be using it too frequently so maybe no need to buy fancy equipment.

Ponysoldier · Mar 14, 2018

Seems you have made your choice and (my two cents worth) it is a wise one. Without access to fresh buffer solutions at both ends of the spectrum these units are not great. Additionally you need to store the electrode in a pH 4 buffer solution to prevent leaching of the sodium ions from the shell (occurs in DI water as well) which slows down the response time. pH measurement - while it appears simple - is complex due to so many interference issues. These are OK for a quick and dirty ballpark estimate but the indicator strips work well and are cheaper.

Kuby · Mar 14, 2018

Ponysoldier said:
Seems you have made your choice and (my two cents worth) it is a wise one. Without access to fresh buffer solutions at both ends of the spectrum these units are not great. Additionally you need to store the electrode in a pH 4 buffer solution to prevent leaching of the sodium ions from the shell (occurs in DI water as well) which slows down the response time. pH measurement - while it appears simple - is complex due to so many interference issues. These are OK for a quick and dirty ballpark estimate but the indicator strips work well and are cheaper.

Thanks!

Gerald C Koch · Mar 18, 2018

For photography a pH meter is more trouble than it's worth. Buy some pHydrion paper in the proper range.

Alan Johnson · Mar 18, 2018

For years I have bought the cheap Fish Tank meters off ebay. they come with 2 buffers but I made up also 5% Borax = pH 9.2 and 5% Sodium Carbonate.
They are stored in a saturated solution of Potassium Chloride and typically last a couple of years before inexpensive replacement with another.,As others have said, pH paper (Hydrion) is generally adequate and my meter does not see much use. With care it is accurate to +/- 0.1 pH except at high values.

AgX · Mar 18, 2018

There are various papers, but the the best papers I know got steps of 0.2 in part of the range and one could interpolate.

I would first try indicator paper. If one wants to measure the whole range at highest resolution one would need several different rolls. If for whatever reason one wants an electronic meter one should carefully compare models. Features and prices vary strongly. One also should look into their handling including their usabiltiy on the very medium (silver-ions). In a recent thread good economic models have been named. (But I can't find it.)

DREW WILEY · Mar 19, 2018

pH meters are readily available from scientific, lab, or test equip suppliers, along with buffer solutions. It's like thermometers, and just depends on the level of accuracy you need.

Kuby · Mar 20, 2018

Just wanting to make sure here. If I'm going to buy some pHydrion paper for flexicolor bleach iii, this is what I should be buying, yes? https://www.amazon.ca/pHydrion-Jumb...qid=1521582035&sr=8-3&keywords=phydrion+paper

Thanks

Born2Late · Mar 20, 2018

I'm guessing the paper strips could pose a problem for the color blind, huh?

AgX · Mar 20, 2018

Kuby said:
Just wanting to make sure here. If I'm going to buy some pHydrion paper for flexicolor bleach iii, this is what I should be buying, yes? https://www.amazon.ca/pHydrion-Jumb...qid=1521582035&sr=8-3&keywords=phydrion+paper

Shown in the photo is the basic,universal range of ph-paper.
Though most useful in any lab as general indicator.
I do not know the resolution of the paper given in the text.

Look for something like these (a german manufacturer as example)
Again, the photo shows still a rather basic version, but the table shows papers with higher resolution:
http://www.mn-net.com/Testpapers/pHTests/DUOTEST/tabid/10472/language/en-US/Default.aspx

(You also can buy plastic strips with added paper, but these are much more expensive.)

Kuby · Mar 20, 2018

AgX said:
Shown in the photo is the basic,universal range of ph-paper.
Though most useful in any lab as general indicator.
I do not know the resolution of the paper given in the text.

Look for something like these (a german manufacturer as example)
Again, the photo shows still a rather basic version, but the table shows papers with higher resolution:
http://www.mn-net.com/Testpapers/pHTests/DUOTEST/tabid/10472/language/en-US/Default.aspx

(You also can buy plastic strips with added paper, but these are much more expensive.)

Thanks AgX. I found a supplier in Canada who sells the version you linked me to, and purchased papers that are in the range 5.0 - 8.0

Everyones help has been appreciated in this matter.

A final question. Should "topping off" my bleach with replenisher keep it in range, or is there something I should be adding to it to adjust it's pH when it goes off?

Thanks.

Measuring PH balance of Chemicals

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