[sasquatch]

Originally Posted by PEMfish

Darn! Someone had to ask about that ( I knew it ). Just kidding, I love talking about tanks.
Like I said, its complex. I`ll be brief.
The Ph measurement ( test kit ) is based on a reaction ( (TK =test kit) TK chem.'s change color based on the amount of Pk in the water.) The more pk the darker the chem.'s will turn. Introducing bicarbonate ions will lower the Ph. The more you add the more the Ph will change, this ties in with Ph buffers. This is were it becomes complex: the chemical equilibria of the components of the carbonate system (CO2, H2CO3, HCO3, CO3) is a little beyond me, i know it but don't quite understand it enough to enplane it. The CO2 is a componite to the system, it affects the amount of ions( Ph ).

allow me to clarify. co2 makes water acidic thus lowering ph, low ph makes critters act strange and die lol