Ph'ing my water correctly?

When i mix my nutes i adjust the Ph of the water first, then i mix in the nutes, one at a time. I also am aware that many nutes have effects on the Ph. I fear that my nutes have been throwing off my Ph, which i thought has been a solid 6.5 the whole time.

My question is, will i be able to get an accurate Ph reading after the nutes go into the water and is mixed up??? This way i will be able to get a more accurate reading before the nutes go in the soil. If i can take a reading after nutes are in and the Ph is off can i adjust with GH Ph stuff after nutes are in to balance the Ph to what i want???

I just thought of that and would hate to keep on punishing my plant b/c of my ignorance.

PS I use the liquid 3-part FoxFarm nutes, if this info helps all u pros anylize my probb..

yup thats how it should be done. when i mix up my nutes i always mix nutes + tap water then check PH and adjust accordingly. hope that helps

cwesto - Add your nutes to the water then adjust the pH. Do not adjust the pH of the water before adding nutes.

PC :smokin:

:S2: Wow, I dont know if i should just laugh or cry.. Ive been adjusting my Ph before i add my nutes since I have been growing.. guess i know why im always burning plants now lol

Thanks for the very useful info guys

Wait, I got another Q:. If I am using the color coded Ph tester kit, the liquid one. Wont the colors of the nutes and all the additives throw off the color of the water and in turn throw off the true Ph?? Or will it still work?

It skews the color some but it is still true enough to get you where you want to go. Hell, with the liquid tester it's pretty much a judgement call anyway.

PC :smokin:

What do u mean by a judgement call??

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cwesto

What do u mean by a judgement call??

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They're inaccurate because they're hard to read.

I've been using the aquarium test kits (test tube - color indicator chart) for many years, and I do adjust my water first to 6.9 to 7.0, then add nutes. You can not add nutes, then accurately test with the color-indicator, unless nutes are clear. I've tried with Fox Farms, FloraNova, and (eek) Miracle Gro.

Adjusting my alkaline water (7.9 or so from the tap) to 7.0 gives me the ability not to worry too much about my nutes, additives or soil bringing the ph level too low. Keep in mind, tho...I flush at least once during veg, and at least once during flower to help correct any possible ph and nute build-up issues. Since starting to use the molasses, I flush a second time while in flower.
I'm on a fixed income, tho...and can not justify buying a new ph probe, when I have been able to live without one for many years.

Is this optimal...no. But I know my strains very well, and am very pleased with my results.

Also: Lack of grower stress makes the buds taste better, lol.

Thanks everyone for ur guys help