po4 and ph drop

[wickerman]

my tap water has a po4 reading of 3
could the high po4 levels act like a ph down and lower my ph readings,because ive heard that ph down contain phosphates
any help will be helpfull .
also if this is true,it would ruin my co2 readings that i do using kh and ph kits,due to the fact that the po4 is dropping the ph,rather then my co2.

does this make any sence????

 

[Quartermain]

I don't know for certain but I doubt P04 affects pH. I have been charging my 10gal with Phos-X for two days to reduce the P04 levels. P04 has dropped from 5+ppm to less than 2ppm and pH has remained steady so I don't see a connection.

 

[daveedka]

Some time ago I posted a similar question, happychem did some research, and I think the information is in the Kh section of his chemistry article. Phosphate has an effect, but If I remember correctly it is an extremely trivial effect at the ppm's we are talking about. so yes it has an effect but No it probably isn't your issue, nor will it really make much difference on your CO2 calculations.
Dave

 

[wickerman]

thanks