Adjusting PH?

Can I use baking soda to raise ph levels of water with nutrients or do I stick with Bottles of adjusting chemicals from fish store used for aquariums? I used baking soda to raise ph of water I used for my plants in soil and 3 weeks before harvest it seemed to affect them possibly. They seemed stunted and didnt finish as I would have hoped. What is the best chemical for these adjustments?

The best and cheapest chemical? ph up / down.

For ph down use plain water works the best. You don't want to use ph up and down it causes unstable levels so if you use ph down use plain water and try adding small amounts of down when adding ph

If I get too much limestone in the mix I'll add cigarette ashes to bring the ph back up again. The ashes and the limestone will produce a co2 gas in the water. The only proper way to ph balance soil is to balance some good soil and transplant. I grow in a F&D lava rock system so I can cheat and get away with it. If your ph is naturally low in your water supply you can use fine ashes to bring the water ph up.

There are natural alternatives that you can find around the house... If you want to purchase something then go with Earth Juice's natural up and down... Don't use those hydroponic pH adjusters in soil, not good for the life imo.