Keeping ph in check
- Thread starter Fibbage3
- Start date
Fibbage3
Member
How do others combat the same issues then? Like I said, I haven’t seen many threads on it
Renfro
Well-Known Member
I know you mentioned it's not an option but the solution starts with RO water. Your water is alkaline and probably has a lot of calcium in it.
In a recirculating system one can put a pH dosing pump on the controller reservoir. This will make corrections for you. Thing is you will end up with a lot of pH buffer in your nutrients, thats not ideal, especially if one has to buffer up instead of down.
Even with RO water, some adjustment will likely be required, even if just to compensate for the plants uptake. Probably not as much and not as often. A lot depends on the nutrients you use. Some people have had good luck with Advanced pH perfect lineup.
Fibbage3
Member
I actually started with RO.. just switched to tap water starting this week. So my issues have all began while using RO and I am hoping tap helps a bit. For the first few days of tap, I’ve noticed the ph is still hard to manage. And in fact, it takes a lot more ph down solution to bring it in check. Debating just going to soil if the plant doesn’t improve over the next week.
myke
Well-Known Member
Perhaps try a different brand of ph down?Once you get up in ppm and some growth it will stabilize.Remember your only in 4 gallons.Maybe a 30 gallon tote would work better.
My first system was two 30s connected with flex hose.1 as res,grew a monster plant.Simple system just a small pump recirculation with 1/2" hose.2 air stones.
My first system was two 30s connected with flex hose.1 as res,grew a monster plant.Simple system just a small pump recirculation with 1/2" hose.2 air stones.
5BY5LEC
Well-Known Member
PH is going to go hand in hand with what your feeding the plant and how the plant is feeding. Look at that next.
Your airpump will tend to drop your PH not raise it because of the CO2 interaction.
I would set it low, like 5.5 or less. That way it spends more time in the optimal zone than not while its rising on you.
What nutes are you using anyway? Don't know if its been asked already.
Your airpump will tend to drop your PH not raise it because of the CO2 interaction.
I would set it low, like 5.5 or less. That way it spends more time in the optimal zone than not while its rising on you.
What nutes are you using anyway? Don't know if its been asked already.