Carbondioxide oxygen equlibrium.

[Kwater]

What exacitaly is it because it says on all salt mixes that you want the water to sit for about 24 hours and airate so the water can reach carbon dioxide oxygen equlibrium. Just what exactialy is it and how does it work. Thanx

 

[daugherty]

it means that when you airate the water it drives out the co2 and by doing that it will raise the ph to were you need it to be since co2 drives the ph down

 

[ccCapt]

+1 James
Also, in the case of salt mixes that have a high pH when you fist mix it, it helps lower it by drawing in co2.

 

[Chris_150G]

I think the excess carbon dioxide reacts with water and creates an acid which lowers the PH.

 

[Kwater]

Hmmm I understand that. How long does that process take ushaly. And how does all that co2 get in there in the first place. And how does it just balance out.

 

[ccCapt]

These might help.

How to Mix a Batch of Synthetic Seawater in Under Five Minutes

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners Part 3: pH by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

 

[bjohanson1234]

It balances out because CO2 and Oxygen are gasses that happen to be disolved in the water. It is constantly going in and out of solution at the water surface. The mixing speeds this process by increasing the surface area of the water. Also, since the air we breath is very high in O2, more of that gets in the water.

 

[Kwater]

These might help.

How to Mix a Batch of Synthetic Seawater in Under Five Minutes

The “How To” Guide to Reef Aquarium Chemistry for Beginners Part 3: pH by Randy Holmes-Farley - Reefkeeping.com

Thanx.