Hydro PH keeps raising rapidly!!!

I have had a lot of PH problems with a homemade cloner. If I PH adjust the thing with new water, within 24 hours the PH goes from 5.5 to 8. I washed out the whole thing (except the top and net pots) with fresh water, dryed it with a towel, sprayed with 10% bleach, hosed it out several times, and dried again, before changing last night, and same thing happens.

I had a problem where the electric went out, and most burned up from the sun. Have replaced them as they died off. Could something in bad roots, from sick plants be the problem???

I thought it might be my nutrients, but adjusted to 5.0 PH dumped into another container, and a day later it is still 5.0. They were mixed in the bad cloner.

Only other thoughts would be the caulk I used to fill handle holes (very little) or weatherstrip around top of bin.

Thanks for any suggestions. Do not want to start over, although I have all mothers.

Hmm..is it possible you are adding too many nutes? Because too much nutes can mess with your pH.

What are you using to adjust your pH? pH down, Vinegar, Lemon Juice, Battery acid?

missnu said:

Hmm..is it possible you are adding too many nutes? Because too much nutes can mess with your pH.

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Tap water is 280 PPM, it is 300 higher, 580 ppm. My ebb and flow system has no problems, up to 1500 PPM.

missnu said:

What are you using to adjust your pH? pH down, Vinegar, Lemon Juice, Battery acid?

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Distilled white vinegar. Went through a 1/4 gallon in a week.

It is outdoors in mostly shade (3 hours tops, late afternoon sun), but it has been in 90's frequently, recently.

What do you mean caulk? You used bathroom caulk? That might be your problem. Use silicone for aquariums with 48 hour minimum cure.

lordjin said:

What do you mean caulk? You used bathroom caulk? That might be your problem. Use silicone for aquariums with 48 hour minimum cure.

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There were some small holes for clip on latches. Used Premium waterproof silicone from HD, which said it could be used for plumbing, so hoping it is safe for exposure to drinking water.

FYI, the water turns cloudy. Also, every plant that has died, the stem below the neoprene insert, has liquified. Really do not want to start over. Will clean it again now, take out every netpot and clean the top, and maybe the net pots.

DO neoprene inserts need to be run through a dishwasher between uses???

zatoichi2 said:

There were some small holes for clip on latches. Used Premium waterproof silicone from HD, which said it could be used for plumbing, so hoping it is safe for exposure to drinking water.

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Holes for clip-on latches? That sounds familiar. You using Sterilite brand tote?

I did the same thing. I'm pretty sure you'll be fine with that plumbing grade stuff as long as you let it cure completely before introducing water. Okay, so we eliminated your sealing product. You running an airstone and submersible pump? RO water?

zatoichi2 said:

FYI, the water turns cloudy. Also, every plant that has died, the stem below the neoprene insert, has liquified. Really do not want to start over. Will clean it again now, take out every netpot and clean the top, and maybe the net pots.

DO neoprene inserts need to be run through a dishwasher between uses???

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Liquified stems? Wow, that sounds bad. I think the question of the moment is: water temp?

Any thoughts on cleaning the netpots? As last resort, I may spray them with hydrogen peroxide, and rinse off.

zatoichi2 said:

Any thoughts on cleaning the netpots? As last resort, I may spray them with hydrogen peroxide, and rinse off.

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Stop scrubbing your plastic, bro. It's not that.

You gotta tell me what the average water temperature is in your res. Hot water will give way to ph instability and much worse.

lordjin said:

Holes for clip-on latches? That sounds familiar. You using Sterilite brand tote?

I did the same thing. I'm pretty sure you'll be fine with that plumbing grade stuff as long as you let it cure completely before introducing water. Okay, so we eliminated your sealing product. You running an airstone and submersible pump? RO water?

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No airstone, tap water 280 ppm. It is the sterlite 54 gallon.

lordjin said:

Stop scrubbing your plastic, bro. It's not that.

You gotta tell me what the average water temperature is in your res. Hot water will give way to ph instability and much worse.

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Sample I took today at 6 pm, was 78 degrees. Cloner is in shade, but on gravel which could cause too much ambient heat in the area. Have thought about putting it in a hole, up to the lid. which is what I do with ebb and flow.

Need to do a few chores, will back back soon.

Thanks for the help!!!

zatoichi2 said:

No airstone, tap water 280 ppm. It is the sterlite 54 gallon.

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Yeah, I use that tub, too. What's the delivery method? How about some pics of your tub's innards? You gotta show me what you're doing if you want your stems to stop liquifying.

zatoichi2 said:

Sample I took today at 6 pm, was 78 degrees. Cloner is in shade, but on gravel which could cause too much ambient heat in the area. Have thought about putting it in a hole, up to the lid. which is what I do with ebb and flow.

Need to do a few chores, will back back soon.

Thanks for the help!!!

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Holy crap. You running this contraption outdoors? Yeah, get it cool and away from light. If your water is cool (under 75f always), your res will stabilize.

lordjin said:

Yeah, I use that tub, too. What's the delivery method? How about some pics of your tub's innards? You gotta show me what you're doing if you want your stems to stop liquifying.

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Will try to get some pic's later. Using a 360 gph pump, with a pvc rig, with red spray heads (1. I am thinking the water temp. What does it do being too high?? Cause bacteria??

lordjin said:

Holy crap. You running this contraption outdoors? Yeah, get it cool and away from light. If your water is cool (under 75f always), your res will stabilize.

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What happens above 75 degrees???

zatoichi2 said:

What happens above 75 degrees???

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Warm water is the environment that promotes and supports bacterial problems, yes.

ahh your useing lemon juice or viniger witch has almost no buffering quilties i use fish tank ph down from the pet store it is jsut sulfiric acid 9% i belive you can make this your self with battery acid..