I am about to start my first aerogarden grow and have everything I can think of ready. I just need some information about pH regulation. I bought a pH meter and I just need advice how I keep the pH of the resivior at the proper level for growing. I have no idea about how to keep the pH at a safe level. I have heard the ph levels in the aerogarden change quickly and often so any advice would be greatly appreciated.
How to regulate pH?
- Thread starter clark4518
- Start date
skunkushybrid01
Well-Known Member
if using tap water... leave it out to stand for 24 hours. this is so it gets to room temperature. pH changes with the temps as the water's buffering ability (alkalinity) is altered. so get it to around 68f, leaving it out for 12 hours minimum should get you there.
Mix in your nutrients and then leave to stand for an hour or so after vigorously stirring. then come back and make the pH adjustment. then leave for 10 minutes or so... double check, then add to the res. If using seedlings start with a minimum of 0.8ec.
skunkushybrid01
Well-Known Member
you'll need to buy some pH up and pH down to adjust it. In an aerogarden you will definitely need to be able to adjust the pH.
First, A/G recommends that you don't use well water because of the mineral content. They say tap water is okay but that hasn't worked for me. The stuff that comes out of my tap is crap. Either of the two will plug up your delivery manifold on the underside of your planting deck. My best advice to you is to buy distilled or good bottled water. I'm looking at a reverse osmosis filtration system because water is everything to us.
If you're using A/G's nutes all you can do is mix it, test it, and balance it then let it sit for a day. Just follow the directions with the pH kit you should have purchased by now. The thing to remember is that you want to keep it between 5.5 and 5.9 with 5.8 being best. You'll do that initially and every day after because as your plants take up the nutrients it's going to drastically change the pH. Mine usually goes up and I have to add a little pH down, (Acid). But don't go overboard. I'd rather add a few drops two or three times and stir it up than add six drops and find out you're over and then have to add the opposite. Also, figure on changing your nutes weekly if you don't want water related problems.