Is it normal for soil run-off water pH to be lower than the water going in?

N

ninjagaiden

Well-Known Member
Hey all,

I always pH my water and nutes to 6.7-6.9 and for fun i decided to test the run off water.

The run off water read 5.9-6.0 for my plants.

Is this normal?

Thanks
 
that's not bad. it's when it starts to dip below 5 or so that you want to make an adjustment like a flush. you should check the runoff as often as possible so you won't be the last to know if something takes a turn for the worse.
 
Yeah the runoff water is the true measure of your "soil pH". A lot of changes happen after you put the water/nutes in the soil. Adjust the pH of water/nute solutions according to the pH of the runoff.
 
Not always can u tell the soils condition by the run off. Old school myth. Its like kickin a tire. It might be full but whats it really at. Know whats in there to begin with
 
Yeah, they're just called soil pH meters if you search for them. You can get on at a plant nursery for like $7-$12.
 
The best and most accurate way to test your run off ph is to water then collect those first drops that come out first. Anything after that being collected to test is not accurate at all.
 
XxK2xX said:
The best and most accurate way to test your run off ph is to water then collect those first drops that come out first. Anything after that being collected to test is not accurate at all.
Click to expand...

I always thought a MID STREAM sample was required?? Or am I thinking of something else??
 
Spanishfly said:
I always thought a MID STREAM sample was required?? Or am I thinking of something else??
Click to expand...

lol. i think that's a pregnancy test. i check the same runoff about 3 times for this very reason. the first bit is the hottest. 5 minutes and a gallon of water later the runoff does sometimes change enough to be detected.
 
ninjagaiden said:
Hey all,

I always pH my water and nutes to 6.7-6.9 and for fun i decided to test the run off water.

The run off water read 5.9-6.0 for my plants.

Is this normal?

Thanks
Click to expand...

yes it is normal. nutrients are usually acidic and being build up over time. the run off is just absorbing some of this.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Beard-o
ph, explain something?
2
Replies
26
Views
2K
tstick
tstick
P
First grow - how’s it looking?
Replies
0
Views
216
Proxygrower
P
Ydoineedtoregister
No need to ph additive?
Replies
3
Views
322
Hollatchaboy
Hollatchaboy
B
Unstable pH
Replies
12
Views
788
Bon Farling
B
Y
Running into some odd issues.. necrosis in leaves during flower. Possible hard water issues?
Replies
14
Views
675
mandocat
M
Back
Top