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how much is too much CA

 
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JSB




Joined: 17 Oct 2016
Posts: 125
Location: NE Ohio


PostLink    Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2022 1:30 pm    Post subject: how much is too much CA Reply with quote


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From what I have read there is a required minimum for CA, it is a neutral flavor, and aids in clarity. But when I add salts to hit HOPPY I am way over on CA.

(Ca ppm) 224 vs 110
(Mg ppm) 18 vs 18
(Na ppm) 16 vs 16
(Cl ppm) 51 vs 50
(SO4 ppm) 276 vs 275

Is this acceptable? Or should I be using distilled/RO?

My starting water is 31.9 Ca ppm per Ward Labs.

Thank you,
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kal
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Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11114
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2022 1:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What is your entire starting water profile? Ca is 31.9 ppm, but what about the others? (Mg, Na, Cl, and SO4).

Kal

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JSB




Joined: 17 Oct 2016
Posts: 125
Location: NE Ohio


PostLink    Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2022 3:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Starting Water (ppm):
Ca: 31.9
Mg: 9
Na: 11
Cl: 12
SO4: 33
HCO3: 0
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kal
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Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11114
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2022 5:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I plugged your starting numbers in EZWaterCalculator (the spreadsheet I mention in my WATER ADJUSTMENT guide you're talking about) and am able to get to the following using only Gypsum, Calc Chloride, and Epsom salt for my last "hoppy" beer which had 10 gallons of mash water and 7.5 gallons of sparge water:

(Ca ppm) 130 vs 110
(Mg ppm) 22 vs 18
(Na ppm) 11 vs 16
(Cl ppm) 50 vs 50
(SO4 ppm) 275 vs 275

So just slightly higher on Mg (no big deal), we don't care about Na (keep it low as per my guide), and Ca is only slightly higher (130 instead of 110). Cl and SO4 are bang on but again, getting things bang on isn't cruxial.

Refer to the hints in step 3:
https://shop.theelectricbrewery.com/pages/water-adjustment#STEP_3_Calculate_salt_additions

Cheers!

Kal

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JSB




Joined: 17 Oct 2016
Posts: 125
Location: NE Ohio


PostLink    Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2022 6:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Cheers Kal! Mug

Thank you for your help/insight!

"slightly higher on Mg (no big deal), we don't care about Na" Thumbs Up

Going to brew the NEW ZEALAND IPA , so 20.5# grist and I calculated 7.2 and 9.2 gallons for mash/sparge and now get:

Ca: 129 (19 over)
Mg: 22 (4 over)
Na: 11 (5 under)
Cl: 50 (perfect)
SO4: 275 (perfect)

And as a bonus I will likely need less lactic acid
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kal
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Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11114
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2022 7:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looks good to me! Enjoy the beer!

Kal

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morjim




Joined: 05 Jan 2023
Posts: 1



PostLink    Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2023 6:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am also going to brew a NEW ZEALAND IPA, I hope everything goes well Wink
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kal
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Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11114
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2023 6:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Good luck and enjoy your brew day!

Kal

_________________
Our new shop with over 150 new products: shop.TheElectricBrewery.com
We ship worldwide and support our products and customers for life.
Purchasing through our affiliate links helps support our site at no extra cost to you. We thank you!
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