I tested my tap water. 5PH (using GH testing liquid). I'm planning on running roughly 70% coco 30% perlite mix. With calimagic and the GH trio nutrients. As far as PH goes should I be okay for my grow? I know I need to keep 5.5 to 6.3 or something like that for coco. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you
Question about ph
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Because I read everywhere that if I grow with coco that I need to clean/ buff it with calimagic to get any salt etc out. And that coco doesn't hold calcium or magnesium very well so I need a supplement. I'll test my ph again using more solution drops this time.
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Star Dog
Well-Known Member
I read the same time and time again after growing with coco for years.
That's not to say you won't need it.
twentyeight.threefive
Well-Known Member
I use 100% Canna Coco Professional coco with tap water. I don't use CalMag, there is calcium and magnesium in my nutrients. I run a weak nutrient solution through my coco to start 0.4 EC. Sets the coco EC where I want it. No need to flush CalMag through it.
OldMedUser
Well-Known Member
Where do you get your tap water from? If it's town or city water there is no way it's pH5. That would corrode their whole system so even if the feed water is 5 they will buff it up over 7 with calcium carbonate or something similar so it's slightly alkaline and won't rot the system out.
If it's from a well then it's possible but still very unlikely as almost all ground water is over pH7 naturally. River or lake , (surface water), water can be lower as it has little contact with with minerals that would raise the pH. Rain water is generally acidic and can be as low as pH5 if there's acid rain going on from pollutants like coal fired generating plants downwind.
Double check your testing procedure or maybe get a new kit of a different brand. pH pen is best but needs care and calibration to keep it working right.
Check with your water supplier and request a copy of their water analysis by email. Get the full report and not the dumbed down one they hand out to Joe Public. Should have the pH, ppm and a list of how much of what is in your water. Should be free too.
MickFoster
Well-Known Member
I use tap water and never have to use a calmag supplement in coco.
I'm in the woods pretty much. Someone came in and drilled a well for my place. My whole place is hooked up to it. I really hope my Ph isn't actually 5. I tested Publix bottled water. Same 5ph.... so maybe it's my GH solution. I went down a rabbit hole and I can't find a good PH pen. Bluelab is expensive and if it breaks you have to pay for shipping to get them to analyze it. I'm not trying to cut corners. But I also don't want to spend like 130$ on a pen.Where do you get your tap water from? If it's town or city water there is no way it's pH5. That would corrode their whole system so even if the feed water is 5 they will buff it up over 7 with calcium carbonate or something similar so it's slightly alkaline and won't rot the system out.
If it's from a well then it's possible but still very unlikely as almost all ground water is over pH7 naturally. River or lake , (surface water), water can be lower as it has little contact with with minerals that would raise the pH. Rain water is generally acidic and can be as low as pH5 if there's acid rain going on from pollutants like coal fired generating plants downwind.
Double check your testing procedure or maybe get a new kit of a different brand. pH pen is best but needs care and calibration to keep it working right.
Check with your water supplier and request a copy of their water analysis by email. Get the full report and not the dumbed down one they hand out to Joe Public. Should have the pH, ppm and a list of how much of what is in your water. Should be free too.
I agree. I will return my GH solution. I just can't find a reliable PH pen. I looked into bluelab and a few others. I was worried because they are like 130$ and I heard if they break you have to pay for shipping to fix it.
Lmao I hope not
Yeah I'm a newbie. I just read that if you use coco you need Calimag. Idk I just thought It would be better to have than not to have if I have issues
You'll be returning the solution somewhere. Can you take them some water and have them test?
I'm glad you are having so much success! I am a newbie and don't have a hydroponic store (to get foxfarm or Roots Organic) and coco is the most affordable option (amazon Hydro Crunch Coco). Lowes has no options. I thought my nutrients might be enough for my plants but I got Calimag just in case because I read so much on online websites that calimag helps.
Unfortunately everything is ordered from Amazon. The closest hydroponic store is 2 and a half hours. And I don't know if Lowes can test my water. Was trying to avoid buying a 100$ PH pen since I already have a PPM, EC pen
Thats true. I really only bought it because I was worried if I had issues i wouldn't have it on hand. Only have calimag and GH trio
Ask a neighbor kid to take it to science class. Make up a story about a friend who has dying guppies.