Best PH down product ?

nxsov180db said:

Clearly you're not that bright.

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Clearly, you don't know me.

No dog in this fight, I've been using sulphuric acid"battery acid" for years. Big Ag uses it. I've used citric acid as well, powder form from the grocery store. Works well in a pinch. Not stable long term.
Either do the research, which only requires a few hours of reading. Or just go buy some.
People,forum people, will always bash you over the head with THEIR experiences,and opinions. Conveluted in the midst of all of that is SOME FACT.
All of the suggestions here work. Some to a much more stable and better extent than others. It's up to you to choose. If you need convincing, eh....I suggest keep reading the banter presented here.
Battery Acid FTW!

Advanced nutrients ph down is 3xs as strong as gh.

I use organic apple cider vinegar and loving it, would never buy that GH PH down again. I only ph when I'm ready to feed

citric acid(buy from ebay) in powder form mixed with distilled water is the most cost effective method of lowering ph ive found yet, i mix(blender) six standard cupfulls in quart of distilled water then add to main water reservoir, that quart is enough to down around 1000gal of very high alkaline water(950ppm)

personally, would never use anything from AN, just sayin. Big Mike ain't my kind of guy. Especially after the oregon lableling incident on bud candy. Having said that, I've used GH PHdown for 15 yrs, handwater, so I guess the number and size of plants matter, but my water, it takes just enough like a fifth of a capful, if that, to get mine right. Never seems expensive when a bottle lasts a yr or so. Never tried the citric acid. Vinegar just didn't last long enough for me, I had read about it and did try it. I'll have to read more on the citric acid

nxsov180db said:

You said something pretty stupid, which implies that you’re also pretty stupid.

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You'd make a great teacher.

Bodyne said:

personally, would never use anything from AN, just sayin. Big Mike ain't my kind of guy. Especially after the oregon lableling incident on bud candy. Having said that, I've used GH PHdown for 15 yrs, handwater, so I guess the number and size of plants matter, but my water, it takes just enough like a fifth of a capful, if that, to get mine right. Never seems expensive when a bottle lasts a yr or so. Never tried the citric acid. Vinegar just didn't last long enough for me, I had read about it and did try it. I'll have to read more on the citric acid

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I figure if the OP is using vinegar he's not large scale and maybe organic.
That's why I mentioned citric acid.
A 1/2 lb bag lasted me a year and there's plenty left and it still works.
Just used some this morning on a plain watering. My tap is 8.0 so it's literally a pinch per gallon.
But what do I know? Clearly I'm stupid.

im4satori said:

you can use phosphoric acid which is what the hydro store will carry and it adds P to your fertilizer, or you can go to the auto parts store and buy sulfuric acid (aka battery acid) and itll add sulfur to your fertilizer, or you can source nitric acid and itll add N

nitric acid is hard to find and probably less desirable

phoshuric aicd at the hydro store is a bit watered down for safety and it costs like $20(or more) a gallon +/-

sulfuric acid will be about $12 (or less) per pint but its about 4x more powerful than the $20 ph down from the hydro store

so sulfuric acid ends up being the cheapest option
if you go with sulfuric acid I would recommend cutting it with water

I fill a 1 gallon jug about half way, carefully add the 1 pint of battery acid and then top off with water until its full
this will make the battery acid closer to the same strength as the hydro store Ph down (phosphoric acid) and itll cost you less than12$ per gallon instead of over $20

if you've never handle battery acid before
example
if I spilled straight battery acid on my hand for a minute while pouring it, its not going to do much provided you rinse it off quickly... just avoid your eyes and don't be a moron and youll be fine.. its not going to melt the flesh off your body lol

just wear gloves (I don't lol) and don't splash it in your face

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Nitric acid is going to be next to impossible to source...Highly controlled for it's ability to be a starting point for many high explosive formulations....
Unless you know a chemical tech at a plating plant...Not likely he would slip some out anyway..
Besides, spilling this on yourself is a study in terror ! INSTANT DEEP BURNING OF THE SKIN! THIS STUFF SHOULD BE AVOIDED LIKE THE PLAGUE! I don't suggest the use of this acid, even if you are self secure.....This shit is super dangerous...

Phosphoric - has a keen ability to irritate plant roots. The more you use, the more it can..Seems to have a cumulative effect if use in large amounts..The best commercial pH downs will contain at least 2 acids in suspension and they last longer in adjusting pH in hydro over others.....Better down buffer with better stability..

Sulfuric acid is a good choice...Liking the S side of life and it's effects on the plant.....I would choose this.

hotrodharley said:

Do NOT follow this advice. Especially pouring anything INTO a solution containing acid. To dilute safely determine amount of water needed and pour the acid into it. No topping off after adding acid. Common laboratory safety.

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In a way, maybe....

Simple rule of basic chemistry: NEVER POUR ANY LIQUID INTO A PURE OR HIGH CONCENTRATION OF AN ACID OR A BASE!
ALWAYS POUR YOUR ACID OR BASE MEASURE INTO THE WATER!

There, with that said. I agree with Satori! Mix your own pH down..It is safe if you follow a few common sense rules......Put your gallon jug of water into a plastic kitchen tub and pour your acid into the jug in that tub. You now contain spills and have easy clean up....
YOU SHOULD, Have a gallon of water with about 3-4 TBL of baking soda mixed in, kept close when handling strong acids... Use this to wash away and neutralize any spills of the acid on you or other surfaces....


Phos and Sulfuric mixed make a pretty stable and effective pH down for the non organic grower...

I get what you mean when you say don't BUT,,,,,handled safely and with some simple caution. It's safe and cheaper to build you own down's

It's up's that piss me off.....another thread for that..

im4satori said:

ya but your buying 36% h202.... why

why wouldn't you use 3% from the pharmacy...after all its safer

36% h202 will burn your ass fast and its probably more dangerous because people don't realize

I think we all realize we need to be careful when handling battery acid

and I quote from my original post
"phoshuric aicd at the hydro store is a bit watered down for safety and it costs like $20(or more) a gallon +/-"

since you want to assume everybody is a moron I should give this guy only half the answer to his question!!!!

maybe you should tell everyone not to use 36% h202 also

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I keep 40% food grade around all the time......This stuff does a great job in removing warts......Gotta be careful but, works...