Problem with Rum

[kazanas]

Hello to all friends.
I need your advise for my rum wash
The recipy is the following
3 kgrs unrefined brown cane sugar
4 liters dunder from previous strip run
10 liters water from spring with PH 7
2 tbsp tomatopaste
1 teaspoon Epsom salt
1 vitamin B 12 complex
64 gr dry bakers yeast
SG 1,06

This is the 3d generation wash
The 2d , started with a SG 1,05 and after 2 days stopped . I found the PH was down to 4 and the SG was 1,03 , and put in some gypsum. It started again , but very slowly , and after 5 days it stopped. The SG was then 1,02. .I striped run it and took the dunder
Now this, the 3d generation, worked hardly for 18 hours and stopped. I found the PH down to 4 again , and the SG 1,05. I put in 6 gr gypsum and ½ teaspoon Epsom salt and 1 tbsp 18-0-0 fertilizer. The temperature is constant 25 c. Now after 10 hours nothing happened. What am I doing wrong?

[rubber duck]

Could your ph still be to low? If the ph is ok try adding more yeast and see what happens.

[Dnderhead]

next time you want to raise the PH use calcium carbonate .ya will have better luck. but 4 isn't that bad.

[still crazy]

Found this cool Ph chart thought it might be helpful. Was for fish tanks I think?

[Dnderhead]

the trouble is most of what you find around home is not "yeast friendly" as most has sodium, potassium is much better choice as yeast can use it.calcium yeast also can use, so even tho sodium carbonate works it whould be better to use .
for PH UP....
calcium carbonate
potassium carbonate***(works faster than calcium carbonate)
potassium hydroxide******** caution caustic...... very small amount are needed.
but as stated before a PH of 4 is not that bad. yeast will do good between 3.5--8
you have other issues.

[blanikdog]

Thanks for that SC. Means that my water is 5 - 6.5. Right in the middle.

[HookLine]

Gypsum has no effect on pH if it is below about 8.4, though gypsum does supply calcium, which is an important nutrient for yeast.

Calcium carbonate or potassium carbonate are your best bets for raising pH.

[kazanas]

Thanks for the quick answers. I rechecked the PH and was still 4. So I put some baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon, and started again with one buble per 4 seconds. Thought, I am afraid of ammonia. If I have put too much soda, what would it be blue, the wash or the low wines after the striping run?
Thanks again

Tasos