Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hello-
For my science experiment, I need to create ocean water with ph level = 8.1. I'm using Instant Ocean Sea Salt water but when I test with ph strip, the water is not alkaline. The level is around ph = 6.

I'm dissolving 1 tablespoon of Instant Ocean Sea Salt in 100 ml of distilled water.

Is this correct or I am doing something wrong? My topic is based on ocean acidification so it important for me to have the correct ph level of the ocean.

Thanks

Hi there!

I'm not very familiar with the Instant Ocean Sea Salts, although I do have a saltwater tank. With the salt I use, getting the right pH can be pretty difficult at times. I don't know if you checked out their website, but I looked on there and they had a FAQ section. I think the first question here might help guide you with your problem. http://www.instantocean.com/Instant-Ans ... ality.aspx

Hope this helps!
Nikki

Thanks Nikki

I checked their FAQs and not much help. Would you recommend something else instead of Instant Ocean Sea Salt. Basically, I'm stuck with my experiment and looking for some alternatives.

Thanks again

Hi,

Nikki has given you some good advice. We don't know why you are getting a pH 6 reading, but here are some additional questions and suggestions that may help.

Please describe how you made your instant ocean and how your measured the pH. What water did you use to measure the pH? If you used a commercial preparation, then I think the pH is really 8.1 and that there might be something wrong with the pH strips.

Try mixing up raw egg and measure the pH. This should be about pH 8 also. Try mixing a little baking soda in distilled water; this should be pH 9. Please let us know if this helps to resolve the problem.

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... cale.shtml

Do you have access to a pH meter at school? This would also be useful to use for comparing results.

What brand of pH strips are you using and do they have an expiration date?

What are you doing for your science project? What additional information do you need.

Donna Hardy