Quote Originally Posted by Mr. Brown
whats the verdict on baking soda to raise Ph? Does anybody know if it causes any lockout after awhile.
Yup. Sodium bicarbonate.
It's a weak base, not a strong base, and does not include the desirable -OH group, so you have to use a lot to get the same effect, plus it has a buffering range of its own. The active group in baking soda is a carbonate ion, CO3, the same as in lime, but lime contains Calcium as the positive ion, rather than Sodium, which at more than trace levels is detrimental to plant health.
You're safer with lime, but FAR better off with KOH.
stinkyattic Reviewed by stinkyattic on . The PH battle I am almost nearing the end of my first grow, last night I couldnā??t sleep thinking do I want to do this again? Well NO, but no one should expect perfection so Ill give it another try. . . I have battled low PH from day 1. If I set it at 6.5, in 24 hours its under 6.0. Double check by using the meter and the drops it plunges. So I used the entire bottle of PH UP in just over 9 weeks and I opted 3 nights ago to use Baking Soda to raise the PH. Using warm water and baking soda, Rating: 5