How do you Measure pH up/down solution?

Hi all im a new grower just starting out and I have a 8 bucket water farm with a 8 gallon texas controller and a 17 gallon reservoir just to let ya know what im working with. I have been searching the internet plus these forums like a madman and I couldnt find what im lookin for. The usual pH range from seedlings and vegging I heard is 5.8-6.0 but the confusing part is how much ph up/down do you measure out to get it back to that range from a high alkeline or from a high acid. I tried searching all over even reading the back of the bottles but they were so vague and didnt help me at all and was hoping someone here could.:confused:

1st ph for hydro is 5.8!
Some growers "like me" lower the ph to 5.4 in week 3-4 of flower and work back to 5.8 to help make bloom enhancing elements more available to the plant. It has nothing to so with seedlings or vegging...Optimum ph for Hydro is 5.8

In answer to your question.
1st you need a ph meter or pen in order to read the ph. ebay 20-100 bucks.
2nd you read the meter and determine the ph of your water or mixed up solution. (A lot of pro nutrient mixes contain a buffer that helps to stabilize the ph of solution)

Very seldom will the ph be low. It will usually read high. water is around 7.0 this is too much alkaline for Hydro roots. so you add a little bit of ph down at a time, because you don't want to overshoot your mark and have to add ph up...bad for the plants.

Anyway; It depends on the size of your rez, but you can add a 1/2tsp to a tsp at a time until you get the hang of it. After awhile you will be able to gauge the amount of ph up to use in order to get close to correct ph, then you can tweak it to 5.8. Hope this explained it for you. It is pretty basic. peace:smokin:

Thanks for the help I have been going nuts trying to find how much ph up/down solution you put in to regulate the water. Thanks again :thumbsup:

Hey,

For adding the PH up / down, add VERY little at a time, maybe a few ML. Its potent stuff! I use a straw, dip it into the PH solution * depending on which I need *, and use my finger to plug the top end. Works as a small dropper, and I don't often overshoot my PH mark.

Good Luck!

Hey latewood that method of measuring on how much ph up/down solution to put in worked its helped me out alot thank you. :D

It varies by manufacturer. I had heard adding 1 mL to the solution would move my pH by a total point (I'm using 5 gallon buckets). Yeah, try two points. Now I use an eye dropper to dose my pH, and usually never give more than 12 drops at a time (gets me from 6.2 to 5.7).

I tried the same thing you did with a 5gal bucket and I got the same result works wonders eh:)

I have a well, and despite having great water...my ph varies seasonally.

I would not recommend you using a predetermined amount. You should tread lightly so you do not have to ph up as aresult of using too much ph down. peace

I as well have well water..sucks cause i got high ppm but its good water to drink :thumbsup: lol. Any way i need to use more ph down then i would if i had distilled water. i tried with both so i know for fact. i would end up under the 5.8 ph when trying to ph the distilled water. so i guess the more ppm the more ph solution your going to need. i use 15mL of ph down for 1 gallon of well water.

that's right...The more metals in your water the more ph down you would have to use. I mentioned having well water, but I also have RO filter, and you are right...Most nutrients come with a buffer to aid in the consistency of ph. Gh and Advanced 3-part has a ph buffer built in. It is easier to ph distilled/ROwater than it is to ph adjust city or untreated well water.