I got a bit of a problem. I measure PH with GH drops, can't afford a pen right now. As far as I've been told you want to PH after you've added your nutes as they can affect PH. Thing is, Flora Nova Bloom is dark brown, and stays brownish/yellowish after being dilluted with water. When I took a sample and added the drops to measure it turned orange, wich is around PH 5 on the list. Now I'm worried that the coloration from the nutes is pulling a prank on me. Or is it really possible that the nutes can lower the PH from 8 to 5?
-
Happy Birthday ICMag! Been 20 years since Gypsy Nirvana created the forum! We are celebrating with a 4/20 Giveaway and by launching a new Patreon tier called "420club". You can read more here.
-
Important notice: ICMag's T.O.U. has been updated. Please review it here. For your convenience, it is also available in the main forum menu, under 'Quick Links"!
PH dropping after adding nutes?
- Thread starter Lazyeye
- Start date
S
Sat X RB
don't know about yr specific nutes ... but yes. generally speaking nutes are acidic and will do this.
can you see negative effects on yr plants?
can you see negative effects on yr plants?
Hydrolized
Member
Why wouldn't it? Depending on how dark and how close the tint is to the color ladder of the test kit they are it could effect it quite a bit.
Let it sit for a minute. FloraNova has dirt added to it to keep the nutes from binding in the bottle.
Yes, nutes drop the pH...probably as low as 4 or lower, depending on the water you're using.
Stay Safe!
Yes, nutes drop the pH...probably as low as 4 or lower, depending on the water you're using.
Stay Safe!
Swampwater
Member
Get one of the cheap $15 HM ph meters. They're suprisingly good(Hm has become my meter of choice recently after multiple faulty bluelabs).
As for nutes- Some nutes are more acidic than others. For instance- gh flora will drop mine from 7 to 5.8. The same ppm amount of H&G aqua flakes takes it to 3.8.
I would not trust those drops(or strips). Get a decent ph meter. It's quite possibly the most important tool in your arsenal. Like I said- the $15 HM meter is good(just not waterproof). The $50 one is better(imo better than the $100 one & better than any of the other $100 brands including bluelab, oakton, Hanna, etc).
And make sure you get a bottle of ph 7 solution to keep it calibrated.
As for nutes- Some nutes are more acidic than others. For instance- gh flora will drop mine from 7 to 5.8. The same ppm amount of H&G aqua flakes takes it to 3.8.
I would not trust those drops(or strips). Get a decent ph meter. It's quite possibly the most important tool in your arsenal. Like I said- the $15 HM meter is good(just not waterproof). The $50 one is better(imo better than the $100 one & better than any of the other $100 brands including bluelab, oakton, Hanna, etc).
And make sure you get a bottle of ph 7 solution to keep it calibrated.
Bah... 
drops are 'good enough' if used with a little thinking. Been using them for quite a long time now. 5'ish for DWC and 6'ish for medium based grows.
Vary it a bit each time and you'll see what your plants like.
Thanks for the tip on a good meter, been looking for a reliable cheapie for a while.
Stay Safe!
drops are 'good enough' if used with a little thinking. Been using them for quite a long time now. 5'ish for DWC and 6'ish for medium based grows. Vary it a bit each time and you'll see what your plants like.
Thanks for the tip on a good meter, been looking for a reliable cheapie for a while.
Stay Safe!
I actually just ordered 2x http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Digit..._Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item415ed3220c
Cheap and hopefully good enough. I reckon they will break at some point so this time around I'm going for small pricetag first.
Cheap and hopefully good enough. I reckon they will break at some point so this time around I'm going for small pricetag first.
toastfighter2
Active member
I bought the same meter just the other day, just re-branded(Neewer New Mini Digital Pen Type PH Meter PH-009),and rest assured, it works perfect(so far). Just follow the directions, and if you don't have distilled water to rinse the tip, don't use it. From what I gather from reading the complaints, the sensor is super cheap and cant take any build up from dried up nutes.
toastfighter2
Active member
Idk about your tap water, but mine comes out around 200ppm(which is considered above average for drinking water standards), but I wouldn't risk it. I mean a gallon of water is cheap, and it can be poured into a cup to do the actual rinse part
Anything over about 100-150ppm and I can usually feel it as extra heat on my throat.
Cannot stress the use of R/O enough for suuuuuuper clean meds. You won't notice the difference (probably) but I can also tell when 350ppm tap water was used to grow the plant and only R/O was used on a 2 week flush. Not as bad as a full 350ppm tap-water grow... but still not pleasantly harsh.
Stay Safe!
p.s. please use an R/O machine that re-filters the 'waste' water or be sure to use that 'waste' water responsibly... like on your lawn, garden... even to wash your car. LOL
Cannot stress the use of R/O enough for suuuuuuper clean meds. You won't notice the difference (probably) but I can also tell when 350ppm tap water was used to grow the plant and only R/O was used on a 2 week flush. Not as bad as a full 350ppm tap-water grow... but still not pleasantly harsh.
Stay Safe!
p.s. please use an R/O machine that re-filters the 'waste' water or be sure to use that 'waste' water responsibly... like on your lawn, garden... even to wash your car. LOL
green thumbs
Member
Which RO water system would you recommend using that re-fliters the waste water
