Users of Automatic ph controller - increased yield?

[MikeGanja]

Some strains are more sensitive to PH. I have noticed that the growth often is increased a few days after I correct the PH. I estimate that I let the PH drift to far a few times during each grow and those days quickly adds up to a noticeable percent of the total grow cycle. Question is if an automatic PH-controller is worth the money.

Some of you use PH-controllers. Does the exact PH monitoring give you higher yield?

 

[clutch1024]

The problem I see with most ph controllers is that the pump cannot handle strong ph up or down. for example it takes roughly 3 times the amount bluelab solution compared to using AN. That cost adds up really really fast. Also the unit will only do up or down if you are referring to bluelab. So if you want exact control you need 2 of them. In that case I can find better upgrades to spend almost $1000 on. I'm sure ph swing is not your limiting factor.

 

[MikeGanja]

Thank you Clutch1024 I had no idea of that. I thought Bluelab was top quality. Well, perhaps it is but if it can't handle strong ph+ or ph- I have no use for it. Bluelab is expensive in my country but I have found this:

It's a peristaltic pump so the liquid is only in contact with the inside of the tube. It looks like silicone. It costs about $300. To much if it can't handle concentrated ph solutions.

 

[Craig1969SS]

It will handle the solution but you need a big enough rez to make it worth your while. Good thing about those pumps is once anything gets past that roller it's going out that tube, you won't clog these up

 

[MikeGanja]

Perhaps the automatic ph controller is best used for growers who can't visit the grow every day. But if the controller doesn't give me a better yield I don't think it's the right time to buy one. Thanks for your input Clutch1024 and Craig1969SS.

 

[Craig1969SS]

In a commercial hydroponic setting it would be a good bet, it's a system like a swimming pool or waste water treatment would use only smaller. 315 gal IBC totes would be appropriate for a moneymaker system. Once you get that volume close to 5.8 it will be stable for a while and small adjustments easy.

 

[clutch1024]

Gotta watch the limit of the controller also. I know the blue lab one has a gallon limit to how much it can control also.

 

[MikeGanja]

In a commercial hydroponic setting it would be a good bet, it's a system like a swimming pool or waste water treatment would use only smaller. 315 gal IBC totes would be appropriate for a moneymaker system. Once you get that volume close to 5.8 it will be stable for a while and small adjustments easy.

I spend hours everyday dreaming of large scale grow ops. It's addictive. 1000 litres IBCs is a part of that dream. I wish I had balls of steel...

 

[MikeGanja]

Gotta watch the limit of the controller also. I know the blue lab one has a gallon limit to how much it can control also.

I did'nt know that. Perhaps that's why the professional controllers are so expensive?