pH levels ???

[nugsmoker]

I am so dumb when it comes to pH in soil and water.I have this thing that I use to check the pH level in the soil, but how do I test the pH level in my water ???? Also, How can I increase/decrease the pH level in water and soil ????

[SunnySativa]

Well thats an easy search on the site, but ill give you a little bit of info....i actually have pH papers that i use for water, not super accurate but they do the job for me for right now. As for changing, theres different ways, lemon juice, and other natural ways, but i heard the best is to just goto the store in the plants section and get pH up/down solution, but DO NOT use the pH up/down that you use in hot tub and such, concentration is probably high since its for HUGE amts of water

[nugsmoker]

well lets say I use lemon juice, will that make my pH go up or down ? What should the pH level be in the soil ?

[SunnySativa]

Well if you know basic Chemistry and pH Scale (http://staff.jccc.net/PDECELL/chemistry/phscale.html) acids are 1-6, 7 is Neutral, and 8-14 are bases so using Citric Acid would bring pH down. As for levels it depends on what your growing in, Hydro optimal around 5.7, but im assuming your using soil which should be 6.1-6.3, something like that......using lemon juice however will get expensive tho

[Ophistello]

i'd just go buy the stuff you need at the hydro store. it pays to not cut corners sometimes.

[nugsmoker]

I got it now I think, so by useing lemon juice I would bring it down and if I use epsom salt it will bring it up, correct ?