How do I control ph in a res
- Thread starter ab2t2000
- Start date
Billy the Mountain
Well-Known Member
An initial upward drift is fairly typical although it shouldn't rise dramatically day after day.
I use MaxiGro/Bloom w/ RO water and don't experience pH drift except on the few occasions I've added bacteria to address an issue, then it rises dramatically.
How much is the pH change over time?
You may be able to address it by starting your pH lower than desired in anticipation of the pH rise.
I use MaxiGro/Bloom w/ RO water and don't experience pH drift except on the few occasions I've added bacteria to address an issue, then it rises dramatically.
How much is the pH change over time?
You may be able to address it by starting your pH lower than desired in anticipation of the pH rise.
Herb & Suds
Well-Known Member
Are you using R/O water?
The most common reason for pH to change is because chemicals are being taken up by your plants "feeding". pH will rise, or fall, depending on which chemicals the plant needs. The direction, magnitude, and speed of the change can vary from strain to strain, they may be different in veg vs flower, and may change with the size of the res.
It's very straight forward, dontcha know.
Oh, if pH drops really quickly, that's a strong indicator that you have a problem in the res - root rot is what I've read about.
If you've got gently rising pH (one or two tenths a day) that's a good sign.
I've attached a couple of documents that discuss reservoir issues. They're good general guides but they're not definitive.
I wrapped twisted myself in knots when I had falling pH and I blindly followed the "drop EC" guidance. Other than that, these are good sources of info and, once you've worked with them for a while, it will become second nature.
It's very straight forward, dontcha know.
Oh, if pH drops really quickly, that's a strong indicator that you have a problem in the res - root rot is what I've read about.
If you've got gently rising pH (one or two tenths a day) that's a good sign.
I've attached a couple of documents that discuss reservoir issues. They're good general guides but they're not definitive.
I wrapped twisted myself in knots when I had falling pH and I blindly followed the "drop EC" guidance. Other than that, these are good sources of info and, once you've worked with them for a while, it will become second nature.
Wow. Walk us through the grow environment.
The more info the better.
Nutes, the order you're mixing them, EC/PPM.
Temperature
RH
or
VPD
Fans
Water temp
Sterile res or bennies
I'm not that creative - I came up with those headings from this screenshot from a Bugbee video. It's really helpful in setting up your grow environment.
If you are using tap water you probably can adjust pH a little lower, down to 5.8 is not taking enough of the alkalinity out. At some point it will stay alot more stable. If your res is recirculating like DWC, etc the plants will raise the pH when they take up NO3, I dont know which autopots use. Either way dropping pH lower than what you have been doing will help. My well water has to be brought down to 5.6 to keep it stable, the EC will drop from 120ppm to 65ppm (500 scale)after lowering pH.