pH down with alum powder?

[Dee9]

Hi

Found some alum powder in the medicine cupboard, would it be foolish to use it to lower the ph?

Alum
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alum

pH adjustment
http://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheets/HGIC1650.htm

 

[Tony Danza]

I'm gonna rep you just for asking a question I haven't read before.

And I have no Idea, you should probably just get some PH down.

But if you felt like entertaining us, you could try it, I would guess at worst, it doesn't work well, and at best, it doesn't work well.

 

[wygram]

well this...

Effects on Humans: Aluminum dust is an eye and respiratory tract irritant in humans. Soluble aluminum salts are irritants when inhaled as aerosols [Hathaway et al. 1991]. Although inhalation of aluminum powder of particle size 1.2 um, given over 10- or 20-minute periods several times weekly resulted in no adverse health effects among thousands of workers over several years, several other studies report X-ray evidence of pulmonary fibrosis [Hathaway et al. 1991]. Some patients on long-term hemodialysis develop speech disorders, dementia, or convulsions. This syndrome is associated with increased concentration of aluminum in serum, brain, muscle, and bone [Amdur et al. 1991; Hathaway et al. 1991]. There is some evidence that Alzheimer's disease may be linked to aluminum content in the body [Amdur et al. 1991]. Analysis of the aluminum content in the brains of persons dying from Alzheimer's have shown increased levels, although brain aluminum levels vary greatly. A second correlating factor is that neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) have been identified in both aluminum encephalopathy and in Alzheimer's disease [Amdur et al. 1991]. However, it has been shown that the NFTs produced by the two conditions are structurally and chemically different and that NFTs are present in several other neurological disorders. It appears that the aluminum content of the brain is less an issue relating to exposure to aluminum than an issue of a blood-brain barrier defect or compromise of some kind [Amdur et al. 1991].

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/healthguidelines/aluminum/recognition.html

and this...

"One of the primary ways toxic heavy metals, such as cadmium, get in food is through plant uptake—the metal is taken up by the roots and deposited in edible portions..."

makes me think it might not be so good...this makes me think it might not be good for the plants...

At neutral or alkaline pH values, aluminum is not a problem for plants. However, in acid soils a form of aluminum—Al+3—is solubilized into a soil solution that is quite toxic to plant roots.

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/jun00/soil0600.htm

 

[Dee9]

Thanks you all.

It doesnt feel quite right giving it to the plants, so I think I will give it a skip.

Alzheimer's? Bad banana! I worked with ppl with that disease, not a very comfortable state to be in...

So no alum for me or my plants...

 

[stinkyattic]

All human health benefits aside, alum is an aluminum compound and will lock out other nutrients pronto.

Alum is also commonly used in environmental engineering projects to treat ponds and lakes that are experiencing algal blooms, by binding macronutrients and rendering them inactive.

I can think of few worse things to add to your plant food.
Read up...
http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cach...ent&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us&client=firefox-a

 

[Dee9]

Thanks stinkyattic - still not sure if I want to use it - the fish seemed all-right, but then again, I don't smoke no fish!

anyway - I decided to do nothing to my pH until i can see a visible problem.
One plant with reservoir water - 5.5pH.

The rest I am not tampering with - suppose I will see what happens soon...

Thanks for the info though!

Grow well...

 

[stinkyattic]

Fish do not rely on soluble phosphorous for their survival. In the same way that plants need CO2 while animals need O2. We are talking different kingdoms here.
Edit: My day job is managing an environmental chemistry lab. You can take my advice or leave it.

 

[Dee9]

I think I will take it gladly, thanks!

Still think I am going to give it a skip for now, because of the P binding - is that not bad for the flowering stage?

 

[stinkyattic]

It's bad for ALL stages. P isn't optional in veg. The plant needs it in significant amounts to grow roots properly.

 

[Tony Danza]

You don't want to lower your PH if it's at 5.5 already, that's the bottom end of acceptable for hydro.


But isn't Alum Powder food? It's that really sour stuff that your grandma has and never uses, isn't it?