harrychilds
Well-Known Member
I think soil wants a PH of around 7.0 anyway so I probably wouldn't bother messing with it.
hotrodharley
Well-Known Member
I think you should recheck using something else to measure. I’ve NEVER seen rainwater exceed 5.5 pH. Much less what you are reporting. Rainwater pH is average 5.0-5.5.
hotrodharley
Well-Known Member
And rotting or decomposing organic matter is acidic.
VincenzioVonHook
Well-Known Member
I posted a few times here with the same issue. Rainwater testing around PH 8, and ppm 26. three different buckets. One galvanized, two plastic. Not sure if its from the lack of buffering compounds or what, but our pools PH used to rise drastically after large amounts of rain as well here.
hotrodharley
Well-Known Member
I can’t even find reference on Google regarding rainwater with a pH of more than 6. I think something is up if food grade plastic barrels are yielding samples with a pH that high.
VincenzioVonHook
Well-Known Member
I was considering the plastics, local mines, sussing out chemical plants...I was freaking out thinking the government was spraying alkalizing agents for mind control.
I've only got a $30 Meter though, it might struggle to read anything with that little buffering agents.
VincenzioVonHook
Well-Known Member
That's what I was thinking, especially with a cheap Meter. Figured the cement shingles might be alkaline, and why I'm getting a 20-40ppm reading.
But then I put buckets out and my head exploded. I'd say it's just an inaccurate Meter at low ppm.
At tap (250ppm) and above it measures within 0.2.
Jjgrow420
Well-Known Member
Cement...lime. Yes alkaline. Could be something to take into account. I'd try collecting via a diff collection plate and remeasure. See if it's diff
hotrodharley
Well-Known Member
That’s not true at all. Litmus paper works perfectly. You can even buy short range litmus paper. But it’s easy to measure the pH of rainwater. My test drops never need calibration and coincides with the pH of rain here as measured at UAF.
SaHt420
Well-Known Member
Used to be a tin room on our back porch but now it just sits in open.
I just got a hm ph-80 best one my local hydro store carries have to get a ppm pen also but the instructions said soak for 15 in storing solution then it’s factory calibration is for 7.0 but I have a packet of buffer solution for 7.0 should I recalibrate it
calvin.m16
Well-Known Member
If your rain barrel water is alkaline then it's stagnating too long or you have contamination issue. Rainwater and similar waters are usually acidic. I've been collecting rainwater through a dedicated gutter system for years and never has the water been higher than 7 pH. You got stuff in your barrel or something is leeching in and buffering the water.
You should note that rainwater has virtually no minerals in it, that said if you're watering soil or something with it, just use it straight up do not think about pH because it will just end up balancing the pH to whatever the soil is..
You should note that rainwater has virtually no minerals in it, that said if you're watering soil or something with it, just use it straight up do not think about pH because it will just end up balancing the pH to whatever the soil is..
SaHt420
Well-Known Member
Was just thinking that’s the cause thank you would feed my plants that water be bad even if I ph it my tap is horrid with solids and chlorine
calvin.m16
Well-Known Member
The rain water will be better for the plants than tap water unless it smells funny or looks funny. Hit them with it plain and I bet they do great without any adjustment. You really need to adjust pH when mixing fertilizers into the water. My buddy put a clone of Critical Kush in his aquaponic turtle tank and thats 7+ pH water and the plant is flourishing without any adjustments..
MICHI-CAN
Well-Known Member
Gutter system under what roofing material?? And how many years? Please do tell.
SaHt420
Well-Known Member
Alright I mean it smells fine and it’s not cloudy I also strained any matter out fine mesh no mosquitoes yet either upstate new York
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MICHI-CAN
Well-Known Member
It is bad. Discard it. You should collect with food grade plastic films into food grade containers. And you must screen and filter solids out down to a minimum. Then cap and store in a cool dry place.
PadawanWarrior
Well-Known Member
Is it windy there? Calcium could be getting blown into the barrel raising it. And if you get mosquitos in it later add some Microbe Lift BMC.
SaHt420
Well-Known Member
Is not cloudy correction