Shelf Life of General Hydroponic pH Adjusters

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drexp2000

Member
Anyone know the shelf life of the pH Down/Up by General Hydroponics? I have a some that are 4 years old given to me.

I have a setup that the pH balance floats around 6.7-6.8 and I would adjust a few points down and a few hours later, it is back up to around the original level. Maybe this stuff is old?
 
mrduke

mrduke

Well-Known Member
i've found they arnt nearly as strong after about 4 months which means replacing almost every cycle
 
Subtlechaos

Subtlechaos

Well-Known Member
Always keep some strips on hand as a backup. A simple way of testing your tester is to take a couple of tests with the strips, then retest with your meter. If it's off, replace it.

Always keep strips on hand as PH is VITAL!
 
fatman7574

fatman7574

New Member
pH down should have an indefinite life span. pH up's life span is based on how often you open the bottle and how long you leave it open. Each time you open the pH up bottle air enters the bottle so CO2 is introduced. This neutralizes a little bit of the hydroxide in the pH up lowerings its overall strength. The only thing that could happen to the pH down is an increase in strength as water evaporates the solution would become stronger.
 
Yam

Yam

Active Member
I've noticed that I have had to use more and more solution with the ph down. ive had my kit for about 5 weeks. so it should still be good but its acting funny.
IS IT STILL GOOD TO USE AS LONG AS THE TEST LEVELS COME OUT RIGHT?? SO JUST USING MORE OF THE SOLUTION FOR THE SAME RESULT IS OK? OR DO I NEED A NEW SET?????
 
Anon Emaus

Anon Emaus

Well-Known Member
Yam said:
I've noticed that I have had to use more and more solution with the ph down. ive had my kit for about 5 weeks. so it should still be good but its acting funny.
IS IT STILL GOOD TO USE AS LONG AS THE TEST LEVELS COME OUT RIGHT?? SO JUST USING MORE OF THE SOLUTION FOR THE SAME RESULT IS OK? OR DO I NEED A NEW SET?????
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You're needing to use more because your nutrient levels are rising which is changing the composition of the water you are adding the PH down solution too. That happens throughout the grow, it's not the PH solution changing it's the water you're putting the PH solution into that's changing.

PH solutions are good for pretty damn long. I have used the same bottle for over a year, I bought a gallon bottle now that I'll be using for years to come.
 
Yam

Yam

Active Member
Anon Emaus said:
You're needing to use more because your nutrient levels are rising which is changing the composition of the water you are adding the PH down solution too. That happens throughout the grow, it's not the PH solution changing it's the water you're putting the PH solution into that's changing.

PH solutions are good for pretty damn long. I have used the same bottle for over a year, I bought a gallon bottle now that I'll be using for years to come.
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Thanks Anon Emaus.. much apprciated!
 
nonamedman420

nonamedman420

Well-Known Member
same bottle.... LONG time, like years LOL. ph- though, never needed ph+, i don't think i feed strong enough to warrant it. i hardly even use the down either, only to adjust really light feeds or flush in case of a problem, but been a minute.
 
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