pH up and pH down in the same rez

I've heard from several posts that it is a no no to use pH up and pH down in the same reservoir i.e. if your initial solution pH is too high and you titrate it with pH down, that you should only use pH down in the rez from then on, and if you ever need to raise it, do it by adding tap water.

1. Is this true

2. Why?

some days my pH goes up and other days it goes down and it's a pain to only be able to use one of the pH adjusters, so I'd like to figure out why this is the case. I don't recall any principles from my limited chemistry experience that would lead me to believe you can't add a little acid if it's too basic, and then switch if the solution goes too far the other way.

That's a great question that I too would like to know.

I've never heard that before. I use both in all my rez as needed and haven't seen any adverse affect.

they probably meant at the same time. Like if you raise it too much don't put PH down in it and vice verse

I too have never heard of this and use both up and down in my Res, however i never add them neat, i always dilute in water first then gradually add until desired pH. Now i have heard that adding neat up and down together will cause a chemical reaction to take place.


Im going to throw you a little tip/secret so ears pinned back for this
POTASSIUM SILICAT aka liquid silicon
This will help strengthen cell walls, give your plant extra K during flowering, and can also be used as a pH UP replacement.




J

Nusky they probably meant at the same time. Like if you raise it too much don't put PH down in it and vice verse

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This is the context I've heard it in as well, and it may very well be true, I just want to know why, and what happens if you do it i.e. does it somehow cause lockout, or ruin your nutrient solution in some way. I can't imagine it could be that horrible because the amounts of pH up and down being used are so miniscule in comparison to the entire reservoir (5 mL or so in a 10 gallon rez).

jondamon I too have never heard of this and use both up and down in my Res, however i never add them neat, i always dilute in water first then gradually add until desired pH. Now i have heard that adding neat up and down together will cause a chemical reaction to take place.

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HAHA! I love that you used the word neat, to describe it (perfect) From this moment on I will think of my reservoir as a fine, aged, single malt Scotch....for plants!

Im going to throw you a little tip/secret so ears pinned back for this POTASSIUM SILICAT aka liquid silicon This will help strengthen cell walls, give your plant extra K during flowering, and can also be used as a pH UP replacement.

Click to expand...

Thanks jondamon, very interesting tip! This is a new one for me. Without knowing anything about it the only danger I could foresee for myself is that I am using an aero system so if the liquid silicone dried, hardened, or thickened in any way in the spray jets, tubes or pipes I'd be in deep doo doo. How on earth did you discover this? Do you think it is safe to use in aero?

Always wait a while before you check the ph again after adding up or down again. Always clean whatever you are adding it with, syringe, cap etc. If the up or down touch each other in pure form there will be an issue! Had a drunken encounter with the two one night! Oooops! Oh, and don't get either one on your skin!!!!!!!!

I've also heard the same thing..to just add water to adjust ph, must be a certain chemical in either when mixed is no good for the plants