How often do you update ph level?

[osirica420]

How often do you guys end up trying to level your ph?

I have some SaferGro organic ph down and i do it 3 times daily for 4 buckets, should it change that often. I have tried lemon juice too and it seems to still go up over a few hours , is it the bubbles doing this?

I am using DWC buckets, coco & higromite...any takes?

 

[SmokeyTheDuck]

What nutrients are you using? I am currently using PBP and I may adjust pH once a week. My current nute solution has been stable at 5.56 for the last few days. I am using a recirculating DWC and would highly suggest you think about converting your current 4 buckets into a recirculating system; it will make your life much easier in terms of nutrient solution maintenance.

When I attempted to use Earth Juice in my DWC, I adjusted pH 2 times a day for the few 4 days or so of a new solution being in the system, then only once every day or two.

You shouldn't need to adjust pH 3 times a day... that is rather insane.

 

[Guest]

Ahhhhhh, soil........

 

[hurricane]

I've been updating once a day lately. I'm just getting back to growing, but my res seems to stick to about 6.2 after i mix it. I add a bit of pH down that day to get to 5.8, and i'm now on the third day in a row bringing it down with GH pH down. I understand that different things are available at different pHs though, so if it gets watered at 5.8, 6, and 6.2 ph all in the same day I figure its all good. I am wondering though if i could just leave it at 6.2. I know constantly adding acid to the solution isnt the best.

Hurricane

 

[stinkfinger]

When I was using PBP on a flood table, I was having to adjust my ph every morning of every day.

 

[Wait...What?]

Don't nail the pH down to one arbitrary number. It will rise in a healthy hydroponic system. Let it drift a little because different nutrients are absorbed more readily at different pH.

I adjust pH when topping off.

 

[osirica420]

seems as long as the water is not near the bucket it does not go crazy..
its prolly the higromite because it has minerals in it mainly silica which is alkaline.....

Much Thanks to your Replys/Help

 

[FreezerBoy]

I think Lemon Juice is your problem. I know Vinegar is only good for a few hours. Try Phosphoric Acid aka pH Down. A few drops per gallon is good for days.

 

[Murphy]

a recirculating system would at least make it easier to adjust. By no means do I have the experience in growing as some of these guys so I'm just throwing this out there, I check and adjust PH about every 5 days to once a week and I never shoot for a specific number, just somewhere in the acceptable range. I haven't had a PH problem damaging plants yet. Most of the time I'm starting out in the mid 7's and dropping it to low 6's.

 

[iLLperception]

I have issues with fluctuating ph also. I start out at around 5.6, and it slowly drifts up to 6.1 over about 5-10 days. However, after 10 days my res goes nuts... for example i adjusted down to 5.8 yesterday, and when I checked today it was 7.4!!! I am on day 11 of this batch of water. I had to add approx 8ml of AN ph down to get it down in the 5s again. And can almost guarantee it will spike again to >7 in 2 days.

I initially thought it was b/c the plants were taking up a lot of nutes and causing water to fluctuate, but i started adding nutes when I top the res every other day and it doesn't seem to make a big diff....

 

[osirica420]

What is the main ingredient in your ph down? .. try botanicare ph down it has
citric and hydrocholoric acid, i have been using those chemicals and it seems to
has somewhat stablized..

Other strong acids would work the same i would think... Most aren't organic
unless u made them urself..

 

[upgradeshafted]

organic hydro....i will bite my toung

 

[Wait...What?]

You do that. There is nothing about using a water culture growing method that excludes organic fertilizers.

organic hydro....i will bite my toung

 

[SaintBebo]

I have issues with fluctuating ph also. I start out at around 5.6, and it slowly drifts up to 6.1 over about 5-10 days. However, after 10 days my res goes nuts... for example i adjusted down to 5.8 yesterday, and when I checked today it was 7.4!!! I am on day 11 of this batch of water. I had to add approx 8ml of AN ph down to get it down in the 5s again. And can almost guarantee it will spike again to >7 in 2 days.

This is a normal reaction that demonstrates the decreasing buffering in the water over time. My 40 gallon res does this over about 14 days. This means it is time to change the water. (By the way, the time that it takes for this to happen will be different for everyone as it is based on a number of unique factors such as starting water ppm, amount of water, nutes added, nute strength, etc.)

 

[fishheadbob]

I think Lemon Juice is your problem. I know Vinegar is only good for a few hours. Try Phosphoric Acid aka pH Down. A few drops per gallon is good for days.

Another vote here for ph down. A good product, a little goes a long way.

 

[globel]

controllers are nice

 

[hydroflower]

Try nitric acid. I find it holds the ph down for longer and has less effect on the nutrient balance.
Make sure your water is WELL mixed after adding ph adjuster before testing.
Hydro/soil? new one on me! Soil in a hydroponic solution will affect the ph stability along with other things.

 

[scifreak69]

mad farmer ph down works great for me

 

[mrwags]

I have a Tri-Meter and adjust it as needed. But if I do adjust I would use a ph up or down as compared to the other things mentioned (except for nitric acid). Yes it does cost a bit more but beats the hell out of trying to hook up with your local guy you get it from right?


It's your girls man they are worth it.


Mr.Wags