DWC Mistakes I made

aim 5.0-5.5 rather than 6.0 if clones, really just as long as its below the hard zone.

KaliKitsune said:

If you maintain your stuff and clean it after each use and store it in a neutral buffer the probes can last a couple of years. Usually this doesn't happen, and the probes only last about 6-9 months.

Click to expand...

I've been using the small packets that came with my meter for a month.

hotboxhatchback said:

i'm glad i found this conversation on ph. i'm killing my babes with ignorance...

maybe one of you guys can tell me why my ph is going up by 1.0/hr.

would it be cuz i didn't pre-soak with ph'ed water, i just rinsed my hydroton with tap water before use (8.1ph).

here's my grow: https://www.rollitup.org/grow-journals/199829-1st-time-grow-hydroponics.html

Click to expand...

Because you didn't pre-soak with ph'ed water, and just rinsed the hydroton with tap water before use (8.1ph). I would do a partial Drain and Replinish.

KaliKitsune said:

Mine was full of 7.7. It really shouldn't make much of a difference if you've had the hydroton in the pH altered water. Yes, vinegar is a short-term solution. I'm using Gen Hydro's stuff, for my 7.7 water I use about 2.5mL per gallon to drop it to 5.0-5.5.

Click to expand...

yea man i was using 5ml/gal, using tapwater,but i switched to distilled and dont have to use any down at first,,the nutes bring it down enough in this phase,,but using vegg. nutes it takes like 1 drop or 2 per gal!!I was using alotta down,,but now i only need it when it naturally rises.

I would really recommend technaflora nutrients if you have issues with pH at all. The buffers keep the pH between 6.1 and 5.8. If I'd knwown how reliable they are I would have bought larger bottles, instead of a pH meter.
I've just started using GH line so idk if they have the same feature.