I just wanted to clear this up, since I have been adjusting ph after the a-b with ph-up because of the drop. It seems everyone that uses r/o see's this drop which is recommended with h&g. I have let my reservior sit for two days before adding ph-up and stimulants to see if in fact it will adjust itself..it does not. So I was browsing the h&g site and found what you may have been referring to.
GENERAL MIXING INSTRUCTIONS
- Fill Reservior with water (lowPPM/EC preferred)
- Add A component - mix thoroughly and let stand
- Add B component - mix thoroughly and let stand
- Adjust PH - For: Cocos / Hydro / Aqua flakes - pH5.8
For: Soil A+B - pH6.3
- After adjusting PH add appropriate stimulants.
PH may lower after adding stimulants,this is a natural process due to the live microbial nature of the stimulant and will correct itself within a few hours.
This says after adding stimulants, not a/b. This is why they say to adjust ph after a/b.
Just wanted to share with those that are seeing this ph drop too. From what I have gathered from reading many h&g grows..the ph drop doesn't occur with tap water, which is confusing in itself since r/o is recommended.
Also on another note. I had an issue with bugs that I recently have got under control. I found this note about root excelerator on the h&g feed chart guidlines.
Roots Excelurator works great as a repair agent if plants have suffered a scarid fly / fungus gnat infestation (once the infestation has been controlled).