My Tap Water... Does My Head In

[waterdrop]

Yes, without looking back, I believe you both are right, Nitrate is an acid and Nitrite is an acid (although, can't remember but I think nitrate is the stronger?) and even better, Dave is right that its the -process-, the reactions, that drive pH downward. Its not the ammonia, isn't that pH of 11.6?

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Miss Wiggle]

Its not the ammonia, isn't that pH of 11.6?

wow, that's pretty high!! lol

 

[waterdrop]

I'd speculate (pure speculation,lol) (and Bignose or someone will pick me apart,lol) that seeing the ammonia going in as a base like that makes you realize how stongly the nitrification process is driving the pH downward, because it is overcoming the basic push of the ammonia and still generally making everything show up more acid overall.