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:

---

Originally Posted by cwesto

What do u mean by a judgement call??

---

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

what happens if you adjust your ph first then add nutes? I had heard that it takes more ph down/ after you add nutes to make an adjustment? Will phing the water first contribute to ph fluctuating in hydro/dwc?
Again, nutes first, adj ph after right! Is that true for soil and hydro?

Web Gallery Wizard™

top right of page you will see link for streaming videos. after that link there is another for ph click the link and watch the video GANJA GORILLA's video is great on ph

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 8182KSKUSH

what happens if you adjust your ph first then add nutes? I had heard that it takes more ph down/ after you add nutes to make an adjustment?

---

If it's taking more pH down to adjust nutes AFTER adding ferts as compared to BEFORE, you see how it would logically be easy to make mistakes?

Mix up your whole feeding first, then bring it to the proper pH. Do this all immediately before use.

In hydro, fill your res including all nutes and supplements, then test and adjust the pH.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rusty Trichome

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.
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.

---

It might just be, Rusty!

After spending $20 on a cheapo meter, $25 on another meter, and finally $35 on a electronic probe.....

I had to buy the $7 liquid test because all of the above is bullshit.

peace

I finally was able to afford a $60.00 ph pen and calibration solution. Have compared it to the aquarium tests I've used for years, and they are only about .1 off from each other. (close enough)

Soooo...

I use GH ph down, and mix the water to exactly 7.0. I then add my Fox Farm flower nutes. (Big Bloom, Tiger Bloom) at 2 tsp/gal each. According to the ph pen, the ph drops to 6.3. Tried to use the aquarium kit, and color from the nutes was messed-up enough (cloudy) to not be able to really tell.
As the aquarium kit does great for clear water, will still use it to double-check my pen and for a back-up.
Was amazed that the ph would drop so much, just adding nutes to the water.

Can someone post a link to a good ph pen? ebay?

Got mine from here:
Discount Hydroponics - Waterproof Testing Pens

and that wont test my soil's ph right? is it really neccesary to buy an ec and tds meter also?

I have nothing against the liquid testers.....the pen is merely for convenience. And when you check ph, ppms etc on several different solutions several times a day.....convenience becomes a big thing. ;)

PS....Always ph last.....daily.....hourly.....it changes in the blink of an eye.

Don't know...never used 'em. You can test the run-off water with the ph pen, tho.
I think the TDS (total disolved solids) meter, and the EC (electrical conductivity pens are for hydro, but not sure.