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.
Rusty Trichome Reviewed by Rusty Trichome on . 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 Rating: 5