Does PH down not mix completely in a res? PH shoots down when pump kicks on.

iggy097 · Mar 31, 2023

I've been noticing in my res - running Athena Blended - that my PH will not remain consistent when the pump kicks on. I have it set to 5 min on, 45 min off, and controlling using a Bluelab PH Controller.
This seems to happen when I'm using the Veg nutes mainly.
I'll notice the PH is 5.6-5.7 - and then the pump kicks on, the PH will drop to 5.4 or so, and when the pump turns off, slowly drift back up to where it was before the pump kicks on (in the matter of a few minutes).
Does PH down not mix with the water completely? Is it hanging out on the top/bottom of the tank?
Video example -

bk78 · Mar 31, 2023

Get a wave maker and you can run it continuously and it won’t heat up your reservoir like a pump does. Then your ph should stay where it’s at when you check it.

Here’s what I use and it circulates my 50 gallon reservoir very well, even mixes my nutes that I just drop in there.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B087JTY6D2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

Bud man 43 · Mar 31, 2023

I am not doing hydro, however I have noticed it needs to be mixed good with the water- not just added

iggy097 · Mar 31, 2023

bk78 said:
Get a wave maker and you can run it continuously and it won’t heat up your reservoir like a pump does. Then your ph should stay where it’s at when you check it.

Here’s what I use and it circulates my 50 gallon reservoir very well, even mixes my nutes that I just drop in there.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B087JTY6D2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

Would that model be too powerful though for when I only have 10g or so in the res?

bk78 · Mar 31, 2023

iggy097 said:
Would that model be too powerful though for when I only have 10g or so in the res?

It has 10 different speeds, along with multiple different forms of waves to set.

So no.

tree beard · Mar 31, 2023

bk78 said:
Get a wave maker and you can run it continuously and it won’t heat up your reservoir like a pump does. Then your ph should stay where it’s at when you check it.

Here’s what I use and it circulates my 50 gallon reservoir very well, even mixes my nutes that I just drop in there.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B087JTY6D2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

How big is the WaveMaker? You just set it on the bottom of the resevoir and that's it?

iggy097 · Mar 31, 2023

tree beard said:
How big is the WaveMaker? You just set it on the bottom of the resevoir and that's it?

You would mount it on the side using the magnetic base. I had one with suction cups and it didn't stay on.

bk78 · Mar 31, 2023

iggy097 said:
You would mount it on the side using the magnetic base. I had one with suction cups and it didn't stay on.

Yup. The magnetic ones are key

bk78 · Mar 31, 2023

tree beard said:
How big is the WaveMaker? You just set it on the bottom of the resevoir and that's it?

Mines mounted on the bottom facing up across my reservoir. The exact dimensions are in the link I posted but it’s pretty small for the churning it does.

tree beard · Mar 31, 2023

bk78 said:
Mines mounted on the bottom facing up across my reservoir. The exact dimensions are in the link I posted but it’s pretty small for the churning it does.

Cool beans, I might just pick one of those up. Been using an aquarium pump that's loud AF. Thanks for the tip

bk78 · Mar 31, 2023

tree beard said:
Cool beans, I might just pick one of those up. Been using an aquarium pump that's loud AF. Thanks for the tip

These are silent as well.

iggy097 · Mar 31, 2023

bk78 said:
Yup. The magnetic ones are key

I grabbed two wavemakers today - not as powerful as yours but half the price.

nxsov180db · Mar 31, 2023

As the water moves by the probe it causes the reading to change, that's all.. once the water stops moving the true reading will show. Your PH isn't actually changing.

Hollatchaboy · Mar 31, 2023

I feel like the true reading, is when the nutrient solution is circulating. No chance for a concentrated area to come into play. Just my opinion.

J. Rocket · Apr 1, 2023

little underwater motor with a propeller, cool.
running it adds heat to the nute solution.

iggy097 · Apr 1, 2023

J. Rocket said:
little underwater motor with a propeller, cool.
running it adds heat to the nute solution.

It hasn’t added enough to be noticeable. At the same temp as it was before I added it

bk78 · Apr 1, 2023

iggy097 said:
It hasn’t added enough to be noticeable. At the same temp as it was before I added it

Ran mine for years straight with no noticeable difference, in fact I needed to add a heater in winter, as my reservoir sits on basement floor.

Blue brother · Apr 1, 2023

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Second this

Roguedawg · Apr 1, 2023

Its not from pH down sinking to bottom. The Hydrogen ions in pH down are not heavier or less bouyant than the H+ already in the water.

Has · Apr 1, 2023

Just stir the solution by hand, make sure what
nxsov180db told you and calm down

Does PH down not mix completely in a res? PH shoots down when pump kicks on.

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