PH Levels

[blink_inc]

What is the acceptable PH range in Hydro?

Searching PH gives me no results...

blink_inc Reviewed by blink_inc on 11-24-2008. PH Levels What is the acceptable PH range in Hydro? Searching PH gives me no results... Rating: 5

[blink_inc]

I should mention that I am at very early veg. Clones just rooted and were put in the bubbler last night.

I am currently at PH of 6.4

[bubbleboy]

5.8 to 6.2 is good for me. Temps between 65 and 80F.

[xxxhazexxx]

keep your p.h between 5.8-6.0 never let it get above 6.0 :thumbsup:

[blink_inc]

so with only a few drops of PH down I am now at 5.6
I will take a test in an hour and see if it is stable there.

Other than 5.8 what else pertains to PH levels and adjustment.

Example, are nutrients added to water then the solution is tested and PH down added accordingly? Or do you adjust the water first and then add nutes?

[MichiganAero]

Water/Nutes/pH

Some nutes are slightly acidic, others slightly basic.. So you always want to adjust AFTER adding nutes.

[Weedhound]

Yep.....ph last....always. Before ANYTHING touches your precious hydro babies you should know the ph. And it WILL change......warmer water, different day, the way the plant grows......so check and adjust it often. It's worth the effort for sure.

[blink_inc]

what I am going through right now is I can't get it to stay at 5.8

Keeps rising to 6.3

I have a 5 gallon "resevoir" and add only a few drops of PH down.
If i add more than a few drops it sinks to 3.2 and if I add baking soda it goes back up to 6.4 etc.

I am constantly adjusting, but I am adjusting in the resevoir rather than making new water each time.
Is this OK?

Is there a set amount that will drop my ph 1 point in 1 gallon.
i.e. 2mL of 85% phosphuric acid will lower PH by 1 point?

I have figured out that 15mL or one tbsp will raise PH 3 points in 12 Litres or 3 gallons.

I am new to this hydro thing and quite confused.

having said that, the roots are longer than two days ago and the tops are showing new growth.

[Weedhound]

It takes awhile to get the hang of how much to adjust "how much". Then things change as your supplies get older and take more to do the same job. In other words...no...there is no set amount; it depends on tons of factors and those factors change all the time. There's a chart around somewhere........I think Dutch pimp has a chart for hydro ph.....but if your medium, nutes, and water are all stable then your ph should stay pretty stable as well.

[Weedhound]

And ranting further......adding ph up and down DOES add ppms to your solution so IMO you can use too much of one or the other (or both as you go back and forth)and get your true nute ratios out of balance. This is one reason you should change your res at least once a week.....to rebalance ratios and ppms.