Help with water treatment please

(That's water to the rest of us!) Beer is about 95% water, so if you want to discuss water treatment, filtering etc this is the place to do it!
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Underthethumb

Help with water treatment please

Post by Underthethumb » Mon Nov 28, 2011 11:22 pm

Dear all,

I have made several AG brews so far using the following water treatment for a pale ale/bitter:

Grain Bill 4.9kg
CaCO3 level (measured with Salifert test kit) 245ppm (I live in a hard water area)
Target CaCO3 level 40 (from Brupaks guide)
Target Calcium level 200 (from Brupaks guide)

My calculation of CRS per litre = 1.12ml
My calculation of DLS per litre = 0.54g

Total liquor volume 36.1 litres (31.2 litres into boiler after loss to grain in the mash)
14.8 litres mash liquor, so adding 8g DLS to grain (14.8 x 0.54) and 8.86g (31.2-14.8) x 0.54g DLS to wort after sparging

CRS added to all the liquor (36.1 x 1.12ml = 40.4ml)

Also adding 1 campden tablet to the liquor.

I have 2 requests:
1) If anyone with a little more experience than me (i.e. anybody) could check my calculations i'd be appreciative
2) On my next brewday I will be testing the Ph for the first time. i know that i'm aiming for 5.1 - 5.3 in the mash but want to know what to do if I am outside this range. Is it as simple as adding a bit more DLS if too high, and CRS if too low?

As ever - many thanks in advance :wink:

fisherman

Re: Help with water treatment please

Post by fisherman » Tue Nov 29, 2011 2:41 pm

Calculations spot on , I cant see a problem here .When I come to the total volume of either CRS or DLS I always round down so for your CRS 40ml. . I never check for the ph myself, Maybe Im' wrong but if the alkilinity is correct things seem fine. I am also a bit wary of additions to the tun while it is mashing. I make a camden solution up 1 tablet in 1 pint of boiled water and dose at 1 pint for 50 litres. Have a good mash I'm sure it will be fine without any last minute additions. =D>

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