ph, the "correct" range

[immortal420]

I've heard alot of stuff here and there, but I can never get a definite answer for this question.

What should the ph be? I've heard 5.1 - 5.8, 5.2 being optimal.

Local hydro shop owner says at those ph's, rockwool actually "melts??" Is this true?

He's telling me to keep it 5.8 - 6.8, aiming for 6 and 6.3 being optimal.

This is my problem.

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Water: Distilled
Nutrient: DNF Bloom A+B
Additives: DNF Bloom Fortifier, DNF Gold & DNF CARBOLOGIC
System: ebb & flow, 4-inch rockwool

immortal420 Reviewed by immortal420 on 02-12-2009. ph, the "correct" range I've heard alot of stuff here and there, but I can never get a definite answer for this question. What should the ph be? I've heard 5.1 - 5.8, 5.2 being optimal. Local hydro shop owner says at those ph's, rockwool actually "melts??" Is this true? He's telling me to keep it 5.8 - 6.8, aiming for 6 and 6.3 being optimal. This is my problem. Rating: 5

[Farmer Rich]

I use a soil-less mix and like 6.3. I vary about .2 in either direction.

Peace, Farmer Rich

[immortal420]

Thanks Rich, and for the speedy reply as well.

1-0 shop owner

[mattmao]

i have been growing now for 18 years and have used diffrent grow mediums,at the moment i am soil less.and have messed with ph a great deal looking for better results.in my experience 5.5-6.2 is fine not below this and not over this,certain strains like different phs but i always go as close to 5.5 as i can and have gained better results from this.
good luck mate i hope this helps

[phatsesh101]

my dirt runs about 6.8 and my soilless hits aroud 6.2. i think hydro guys may run a lil lower not sure though.
and i would stop the distilled water unless ur nutes offer calcium and magnesium. tap is usually fine i let mine chill for a day before i use it so the chlorine can evap as not to kill microbes

[immortal420]

lol, well I was sort of hoping you'd side abit more with the other oppinion to ease my concience but YES, yes it does. Much appreciated.

1-1

[mattmao]

my dirt runs about 6.8 and my soilless hits aroud 6.2. i think hydro guys may run a lil lower not sure though.
and i would stop the distilled water unless ur nutes offer calcium and magnesium. tap is usually fine i let mine chill for a day before i use it so the chlorine can evap as not to kill microbes

spot on distiled water you must use calmag

[mattmao]

im growing hydro,im telling you hit 5.5 you will see the difference.

[immortal420]

stop using distilled water? Bloom A has 2.3% calcium but neither indicated magnesium. I assume my three additives would be enough.

The shop owner also said it would be fine with that water as well as the nutes I was using. None-the-less, I could use any info submitted, thank you.

One thing I'm a little farfetched about it the mixing directions. I mix 5ml each of A & B per liter of water. It says I should aim for 1400, but by following those directions I get a ppm of just over 650, then the additives brings it up to about 750-800.

Should I double the ammount of nutes specified?

[mattmao]

do your plants look as if they are lacking anything,as your plants will give you all the answers,but i would increase a bit at a time.and your plants willl give you all the answers.