How do I adjust PH in water? +rep for usefull info

[DannyGreenEyes]

I'm a newbie on my first grow. I just became aware that my PH/moisture level/light tester isn't accurate for testing water. So I went out and bought an aquarium PH test kit and I just realized that I have no idea how to adjust the PH. Can someone shed some light.

Also, this tester will tell me if it's 6.4 & 6.6 but not 6.5 which is what I need to go with my 6.0 dirt. How close do I have to get it?

+rep for any usefull info

 

[PBE]

just get as close as possible. If you have a hydro store near you they sell pH up and down solutions. If not you can use vinegar to lower pH and baking soda to raise it. Just be sparse as it only takes a little

 

[DannyGreenEyes]

just get as close as possible. If you have a hydro store near you they sell pH up and down solutions. If not you can use vinegar to lower pH and baking soda to raise it. Just be sparse as it only takes a little

Thanks for the info +rep

Is the PH up & down for aquariums safe to use on water for plants?

 

[PBE]

i think they are different chemicals. I wouldnt use them but im not 100% I know a dude who tried using hot tub ph ajuster and killed his plant quicker than shit.

 

[DannyGreenEyes]

Cool, thanks again for the info, +rep if it lets me do it twice.

I'll just get vinegar & baking soda. I just checked the Big Tomato's web site and PH up is $20, probably another $20 for PH down. Thanks again.

 

[PBE]

Anytime!!! I paid a $8 for a bottle of gen hydro ph down at my local grow shop. You should be able to find it cheaper.

 

[DannyGreenEyes]

Anytime!!! I paid a $8 for a bottle of gen hydro ph down at my local grow shop. You should be able to find it cheaper.

That's a good price, but the hydro shops around here are overpriced. Once I have crops coming in regularly it will be no sweat but right now I have to watch every penny.

I have another question, this time about vinegar. I bought Distilled White Vinegar, is this the right kind, or does it matter? (they also had balsamic, red wine, & apple cider)

Also, I don't have to balance the water I put in the humidifier, do I?

 

[johnny12r]

what is the ph of your water? if its high you only need ph down also if it only a little high black strap molasses lowers it a little and is good to use every other time anyway

 

[johnny12r]

if your color is between the 6.4 and 6.6 your good don't try to over do it close is good enough i see people in hear that don't even test or care what the ph of there water is in a soil grow.

 

[DannyGreenEyes]

what is the ph of your water? if its high you only need ph down also if it only a little high black strap molasses lowers it a little and is good to use every other time anyway

Thanks for the info +rep

That's really good to know, I'll have to get some mollasas tommorow.

I had to raise the PH (then lower it, then raise it, then lower it). This stuff is touchy, I feel like I should be counting the grains of baking soda. lol

I guess it takes some practice.

Is black strap mollasas the only type that's ok to use, and the same kind I need to use a little before harvest?

 

[DannyGreenEyes]

if your color is between the 6.4 and 6.6 your good don't try to over do it close is good enough i see people in hear that don't even test or care what the ph of there water is in a soil grow.

The tester I got has a 6.4 & 6.6 color on the chart so getting it close is the best I can do. I've been watering (as it turns out) with water PH of 6 or lower (chart only goes down to 6), and the dirt is 6, so I was a bit off. A few leaves twisted on some of the plants which is what tipped me off. I've also not had the growth I wanted and this may be part of the problem.

The mollasas will help a lot though if it only lowers it a little. If I get it to 6.8 it's hard to figure out how much vinegar to use without an eyedropper.

 

[johnny12r]

its the best kind.. also if you had to raise then lower and raise don't even use that water start over with like a 1/4 tsp or a dropper and test it in small steps as you count so you know how much to use every time

 

[DannyGreenEyes]

its the best kind.. also if you had to raise then lower and raise don't even use that water start over with like a 1/4 tsp or a dropper and test it in small steps as you count so you know how much to use every time

Too late, I already used it. I think I really messed up with the first 5 I watered anyway. As it turns out my dirt is a 7 so I need the water to be 5.5 and this tester doesn't even test below 6. And for some reason I thought the dirt was a 6 so I balanced the water at 6.5. 7 + 6.5 = 13.5, so I'm 1 off. I hope it doesn't cause too much trouble, I'll have to keep a close eye on them.

I had to PH another gallon for the last 2 so I got it to just over 6 to see what that does. The water starts out at a 6 or less so the problem might have been the tap water I've been using in the humidifier. I'm about to try to test it and see what it reads.

Do you know if it's important to PH humidifier water?

And it takes a lot less than that with the stuff I'm using for some reason. When I use the baking soda I put a tiny bit on the end of the spoon, then just sprinkle a little bit of that on. Probably 30 grains or so, maybe less. The first time I used a little bit on the end of the spoon and it went from 6 or lower to 7.6 or higher. I then put just a little vinegar in the cap, just enought to cover the bottom of the cap. It took 3 of those to bring it back down to around 6. I'll get the hang of it, but first I'm going to have to buy a tester that goes below 6.

 

[SmokeyMcChokey]

any phosphoric acid will be safe for you to use as ph down. Its the other ones for pools and stuff that are a sodium bisulfates that you shouldnt use. Even citric acid will be ok if you have some but they cause faster fluctuation. i use gh up and down you can get the powder for cheap as hell like ten bucks for a nice lil tub. unless your using it by the 55 gallon drum of water it'll last you forever.

 

[DannyGreenEyes]

any phosphoric acid will be safe for you to use as ph down. Its the other ones for pools and stuff that are a sodium bisulfates that you shouldnt use. Even citric acid will be ok if you have some but they cause faster fluctuation. i use gh up and down you can get the powder for cheap as hell like ten bucks for a nice lil tub. unless your using it by the 55 gallon drum of water it'll last you forever.

Thanks for the info +rep.

Someone just suggested I use lemon juice and I thought it didn't sound right for some reason.

I'll have to go online & look for some PH up & down, They want $20 for PH down at the Big Tomato and it was much smaller than a tub. The grow stores around here seem to be overpriced to say the least.

Any idea if it's important to PH humidifier water?

 

[PBE]

Thanks for the info +rep

That's really good to know, I'll have to get some mollasas tommorow.

I had to raise the PH (then lower it, then raise it, then lower it). This stuff is touchy, I feel like I should be counting the grains of baking soda. lol

I guess it takes some practice.

Is black strap mollasas the only type that's ok to use, and the same kind I need to use a little before harvest?

http://www.htgsupply.com/viewproduct.asp?productID=49554 $11 ph up/down

as for mollasses blackstrap if you can find it, if not just make sure its unsulphered. It does lower ph as mentioned above. I dont use it in veg as it tends to attract gnats, and is a bit unecessary at that stage, but i use it with every feeding in flower. Good stuff!!! Even better look for some floranova sugar solution. It contains mollasses and other types of sugar.

 

[DannyGreenEyes]

http://www.htgsupply.com/viewproduct.asp?productID=49554 $11 ph up/down

as for mollasses blackstrap if you can find it, if not just make sure its unsulphered. It does lower ph as mentioned above. I dont use it in veg as it tends to attract gnats, and is a bit unecessary at that stage, but i use it with every feeding in flower. Good stuff!!! Even better look for some floranova sugar solution. It contains mollasses and other types of sugar.

Awesome info, thanks a million.

I'll order some PH up & down tommorow. And I'll start looking for Floranova sugar solution, do you know if it's available retail or by net only?

Thanks again, I'll +rep you again if I can.

 

[PBE]

Awesome info, thanks a million.

I'll order some PH up & down tommorow. And I'll start looking for Floranova sugar solution, do you know if it's available retail or by net only?

Thanks again, I'll +rep you again if I can.

Heres the cheapest ive found, and its the floranectar not floranova. sorry.
http://www.hydroponics.net/i/134330

It is available retail but you would have to get it at a hydro store, its not something you can pick up in the walmart garden section.

This is a good one too
http://www.amazon.com/Botanicare-Sweet-Quart/dp/B000LWHX9I

 

[PBE]

heres an even better deal for ph supplies.
http://www.amazon.com/pH-Control-Kit-General-Hydroponics/dp/B000BNKWZY/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&m=A1O863TZYF0C7N&s=generic&qid=1260173828&sr=1-12

 

[oogp]

hey man i found a cheaper system ph up and down kit! peep!
http://www.amazon.com/pH-7-0-Calibration-Solution-Ounces/dp/B001D0CKYK/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2KPMXE42ZDK0P&colid=1E540WQ8DVLZL

http://www.amazon.com/pH-Control-Kit-General-Hydroponics/dp/B000BNKWZY/ref=pd_sim_ol_7 <----- I bought that one, it's awesome!