Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Farm 779 on June 27, 2013, 07:37:45 pm

Title: Water pH dilemma
Post by: Farm 779 on June 27, 2013, 07:37:45 pm

When possible I use snow for my sugar syrup as my well water has a pH of 9.2. The artesian spring on my property is 8.3 pH. Honey is around 4 pH.

What is a beekeeper's trick / method to reduce my water pH and still satisfy the bees. Note my bees will consume mass quantities of my sugar syrup when in need at the higher pH.

Cheers,

Title: Re: Water pH dilemma
Post by: marktrl on June 27, 2013, 10:38:38 pm

Citric acid or some use vinegar.

Title: Re: Water pH dilemma
Post by: marktrl on June 27, 2013, 10:41:30 pm

Another one I forgot is ascorbic acid (vitamin c)

Title: Re: Water pH dilemma
Post by: Steel Tiger on June 28, 2013, 12:08:01 am

Poland Springs

Title: Re: Water pH dilemma
Post by: Finski on June 28, 2013, 01:22:59 am

Quote from: Farm 779 on June 27, 2013, 07:37:45 pm

Honey is around 4 pH.

Drinking water cannot be so acid because it dilutes metall from pipes. That water is poisonous then. Like in tap water pH is 8.

It depends how much natural waters have buffering chemicals like calsium. But to make water to bees from snow is not wise. Water should have some soil minerals. I do not know how much but something however.

Honey has quite much soil minerals, so called ash.

.

Title: Re: Water pH dilemma
Post by: Farm 779 on June 29, 2013, 01:28:20 pm

Thanks Finski,

Now I know what to do with my fireplace ash!

Title: Re: Water pH dilemma
Post by: Finski on June 29, 2013, 02:32:19 pm

.
I measured roof water pH and I was astonished. We talk about acid rain, but water pH was 8.
It is ash from cottage chimney whick makes water alcalic.