yes...the ph is a problem....you need to check and adjust it several times a day to keep it normal since you didn't wash or pretreat your hydroton.

Also keep in mind that constantly adding ph down (or up) can cause it's own issues by throwing your ratios off balance.....the ph adjusters are also higher in salts so you'll have to keep changing the water and rez fairly often to keep things stable....again until your ph straightens out.

And with no pretreatment or washing....that could take awhile.

good luck.