One of the more useful tidbits I've learned on here is that the pH is lower out of the tap because of the CO2 trapped in the water, and that you have to let it sit out or aerate it to get the 'true' pH. Therein lies my question: Is my 'true pH' (for lack of a better phrase) the water straight from the tap without sitting out or aerating, the water that simply sits out for a while, or the water that has been aerated?
Recently, I have been taking my tap water and putting it into a bucket with an airline tube and air pump. This drives the pH from around 7.2 up to 7.8-8. Which of these is the pH I should follow? I feel like I am influencing the true pH by adding too much oxygen, but at least this way I know how high my pH COULD go. Maybe just letting the water sit out overnight is the more accurate way to get a true equilibrium? I'm not sure.
Recently, I have been taking my tap water and putting it into a bucket with an airline tube and air pump. This drives the pH from around 7.2 up to 7.8-8. Which of these is the pH I should follow? I feel like I am influencing the true pH by adding too much oxygen, but at least this way I know how high my pH COULD go. Maybe just letting the water sit out overnight is the more accurate way to get a true equilibrium? I'm not sure.