Suuuuuper High pH!!

[Weedhound]

Yes, thats how I would do it and check it a few times.....minor alterations ( imo +/- 1 is ok but you will immediately see people disagree with me ...that's how we work here ) are ok as things like the temp of the water etc can affect ph as well. If it stays pretty stable ....then add some nutes and see....(which will further help buffer the ph).

[Weedhound]

Good to see you Rhizome.....I may be correct...but it's not very scientific is it? I'm the laziest one of all.....I don't even want to do test again AND I'M NOT EVEN THE ONE DOING THE TEST.

Great idea about the media test though.....that hydroton really drove me up a wall. I am using the higromite and for some reason it seems alot HEAVIER than I remember. But my seedlings are doing much better in it than the hydroton so I shall suffer the extra work in the name of love.... and future bioassays :thumbsup:

[dejayou30]

2 hours later and the pH is still the same! :thumbsup: Hopefully, I will be able to say the same thing tomorrow night. :wtf:

I was planning on soaking the rockwool and hydroton in pHed water before putting it in the system, but I am wondering how long I should soak it until its usable? Also, should I get the pH level and then soak and leave it or do I try to keep the pH level while it soaks?

[rhizome]

Overnight's generally good- mix it about a couple of times. Helps if you rinse the dust off of the Hton before you put it in- just punch a couple holes in the bottom of the bag with a screwdriver and stick a hose in the top for 20 minutes. ( or if your in the small bags, just toss them in a collander.)

pH of soak solution is going to rise during soak- you might have to change soak once or twice. I usually just use a rubbermaid tub w/ a submersible pump, so it's easy to change.

Before you can plant, you've gotta get sys stable w/ media in place- when it's stable 24 hours, and yer environmentals are good for 24 hours, yer good to go. Longer burn in times are great if you can, but you've gotta be feeling impatient by now.

[PharmaCan]

Not sure it's one we'll ever know PC......although I just may run around saying that anyway.....true or not.

... and then I'd feel obligated to follow you around and ask you all kinds of soil questions.

:S2:

PC :stoned:

[rhizome]

Good to see you Rhizome.....I may be correct...but it's not very scientific is it?

Oh sure, yeah, pragmatism... where's the fun in that?

I am using the higromite and for some reason it seems alot HEAVIER than I remember.

Yeah, shit weighs a f$%kin' ton.

in the name of love....and future bioassays :thumbsup:

Well, ya may be a pragmatist :wtf: but at least you've got your priorities straight.

[PharmaCan]

Dejayou - Are you doing the water test in a bucket or in the system? If it's in the system, I take it you haven't added any hydrotron yet???

Things seem to be moving along nicely. Are you enjoying this a little more yet?

PC :stoned:

[Weedhound]

I'm going to have to think about a comeback for that one PC Except my standard reply....."don't use it....it really IS out to get you....."

[dejayou30]

We are just doing the pH tests in a 5 gallon bucket, so no, no hydroton. The res is 15 gallons and we fill it with three 5 gallon buckets and just make 3 separate trips, so I figure once I get the pH set in the bucket, I can make one trip, thus starting the movement towards the elusive (at this point) green light to get the system up and running!

Yeah, its getting a little fun, but it will be a lot more fun when I get some plants growing! My friend and I have been planning this thing for months, so I'm ready to get the show on the road, but we also want to make absolutely sure that things will be perfect and we won't be hustling to play catch up to fix things once we get going.

I just tested the pH again, after 4 hours, and it seems to be leaning more towards 6.0. Its hard to tell exactly whats going on without the electronic tester, but I will have that in 5 days and counting. Hopefully it won't go up too much farther during the night though.

[dejayou30]

After 12 hours, its still around the 5-6 area. It looked more yellow orange than yellow like it did last night. I can't wait for the electronic tester! Does that mean I'm good to go?