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ph measurements and meter?
- Thread starter fireman22
- Start date
Classically you'd take a small sample of soil, mix it with distilled water and agitate the hell out off it. Then measure the pH of the resulting solution and that would give you your soil pH.
Some people measure runoff pH, some people use the above method, some people use pH "probes" (I have not found these to be accurate), some people just don't bother.
There are a ton of ways of measuring soil pH, each one will only be as accurate as it is a reflection on the last test. See the problem with measuring soil pH is that unless you're taking the same size sample, from the same temperature, using the same water, etc. No matter what method you choose make sure you test consistently over time using the same methodology.
Some people measure runoff pH, some people use the above method, some people use pH "probes" (I have not found these to be accurate), some people just don't bother.
There are a ton of ways of measuring soil pH, each one will only be as accurate as it is a reflection on the last test. See the problem with measuring soil pH is that unless you're taking the same size sample, from the same temperature, using the same water, etc. No matter what method you choose make sure you test consistently over time using the same methodology.
M
mna
i got me one of them 4 in 1 rapitest with ph-moisture-light-fertility on it, works fine for me.
kamezzle13
New member
i used a soil test kit i picked up from lowes (it does ph, N, K, P). IN my case, it was well worth it because the water going in was the right ph, but the plant was sick 
After a couple weeks of measuring water Ph and hoping the plant would get better, i ran out and bought the test kit (a lil more then 10 bucks), to find my soil ph was way acidic. Transplanted the girls into new soil that day, and they have been on their way to a speedy recovery since.
After a couple weeks of measuring water Ph and hoping the plant would get better, i ran out and bought the test kit (a lil more then 10 bucks), to find my soil ph was way acidic. Transplanted the girls into new soil that day, and they have been on their way to a speedy recovery since.
Mk3Jetta
Member
nice recovery story kamezzle13!
So far my pH testing has been using Litmus paper. I test my water pH, record it, than test my runoff pH.
My water is a 7 and the run off using Black Gold seed starting mix came to around 5.8-6.2 which is pretty damn good for soil.
I want to start saving for a pH/ppm meter. Even cheap ones tho are like $70 at my local stores. but i dont have $70 extra right now so its litmus papers for me!!!!
So far my pH testing has been using Litmus paper. I test my water pH, record it, than test my runoff pH.
My water is a 7 and the run off using Black Gold seed starting mix came to around 5.8-6.2 which is pretty damn good for soil.
I want to start saving for a pH/ppm meter. Even cheap ones tho are like $70 at my local stores. but i dont have $70 extra right now so its litmus papers for me!!!!
bostondutchmast
Member
ph prode is def unaccurate, at least the one i have so i just test the runoff.
for info i have the rapitest, works well for moisture but thats all i use it for everythign else it seems like its wayoff.
for info i have the rapitest, works well for moisture but thats all i use it for everythign else it seems like its wayoff.
summitoker
Member
i ph my water before it goes to the plant
not the best but cheap and works OK http://www.4hydroponics.com/grow_room/hicheck.asp
not the best but cheap and works OK http://www.4hydroponics.com/grow_room/hicheck.asp
Ok once you have tested the pH of your water and let's say its somewhere in the 9.-- range, are there any home remedies besides buying pH up/down that can be used to bring the pH down to an acceptable range? Like would adding a few teaspoons of vinegar do the trick? Has anyone ever done that?
I use lime concentrate to bring my ph levels down. My tap water is around 7.5. After I add 10 drops of lime concentrate, my ph levels are around 6.5 - 6.8. This is only temporary since my ph rises if I leave the water standing for a period of time (about a day).
I dont know if this home remedy is ok, but my plant is responding better now. This is my first test grow and my cutting seems to being fine. it grew 3" inches in about a week and half after I transpotted her into her pot and balanced my ph level with the lime.
I hope someone else with more knowledge can clarify this matter.
peace
I dont know if this home remedy is ok, but my plant is responding better now. This is my first test grow and my cutting seems to being fine. it grew 3" inches in about a week and half after I transpotted her into her pot and balanced my ph level with the lime.
I hope someone else with more knowledge can clarify this matter.
peace
Illegal-Seed
Member
Testing runoff is not a good way.
The distilled water mixed with soil works much better.
Plus cheap soil probes suck.
The distilled water mixed with soil works much better.
Plus cheap soil probes suck.
jyme
Member
i have one of those 3 in 1 meters and dont trust it i dont know though it could be right but if it is that means my set up is perfict but i dont buy that its aways the same ph no matter what i test and thats imposable it reads my lighting at 2000 on the plants and when in water it says them moister is a 8 i just dont trust it im gunna get me a netter one
