Man...I am battling hard with PH!!!

platypusmann

platypusmann

Well-Known Member
I am running a 40 gal res ebb&flow, and my ph is driving me nuts!!! I have been using a solution drop test, and have been able to stabilize my ph in the orange zone (5.5 to 6.5). THEN....I got a digital PH tester that apparently doesn't work. I changed out res completely, and tested ph with digital tester....7.8. Added 50 ml of PH down, and 7.7......added 50ml more (it usually takes 150~250 ml for my res) and 7.6.....so I added 100 ml more.....and tested again with digital......7.3. WTF!!! I decided to test it with the solution tester and BAM.....in the red, which means UNDER 4.0. So I added one tablespoon of baking soda.....and now my res is cloudy as hell, and ph is over 8.5!!! SO...I began adding PH down (from my aquarium set up, as I ran out of GH brand) and have added over 150ml and PH is still over 7.0, and res is still cloudy from baking soda. I am 4 hours from next feed, so the plants are as yet unaffected but I am at a loss......I need stable ph!! Any suggestions????
 
platypusmann

platypusmann

Well-Known Member
I think you are right...changing out the res is the obvious answer.....FUCK!!! I just changed it out last night........but gotta do it.......waste now is better than waste of everything later..........shit. Thanks........how do I calibrate the ph meter.......no instructions with it at al......bought it for 15 bucks....Milwaukee Champ. May just trash it and use solution test. FUCK!!!!!! And, my PPM is good at just over 900, no matter how much up/down I added.
 
TetraHyC

TetraHyC

Well-Known Member
Those cheap meters suck,you want to spend about $80-$100 for a good one, mine recognizes the buffer solutions and self calibrates. I had a cheap-o $40 unit it was a bitch to calibrate.
 

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erndog98

erndog98

Active Member
algea can gro on the bottom of the pen style ph testers.clean with peroxide till the node is white, rince thoraly,calibrate.change your water,as you add your ph down,really mix the hell out of the water,then give it 30 seconds to slow down b4 you take your reading.good luck from b.c.
 
platypusmann

platypusmann

Well-Known Member
TetraHyC said:
Are you using hard water ? Hard water has a mean bounce back!!
Click to expand...
I am using HARD AS HELL water....I have lived here 13 months and already had to buy a new coffee pot, because of the lime build up. My fucking hydroton gets the white film on it from the hard ass water....even with ph adjusted...but, I can't afford a softener, however I do have an RO on order from HTG......just waiting for it to get in.......oh well. Did not think marijuana would be THIS hard to grow...no wonder so few people do it...too lazy to do the work. I swear my next crop will be masterful, cuz I have had every problem you can this go round, but even though at 30 days they are only 4" tall, they are looking good, and I gots the time...so maybe these much loved litle ladies will reward my care through their pains with juicy buds for their daddy. Let it grow!:peace:
 
TetraHyC

TetraHyC

Well-Known Member
I got a copy of the city water report from the library,I don't know if that is possible for you. Do you have a PPM or EC meter?
 
TetraHyC

TetraHyC

Well-Known Member
You don't want a softener,that only exchanges the cal and mag for sodium.
You need reverse osmosis.
 
TetraHyC

TetraHyC

Well-Known Member
If the Ph gets out of range some elements will precipitate and form salts in your rez.The cloudiness you saw.
 
platypusmann

platypusmann

Well-Known Member
Actually my PPM is suprisingly low. Before my TDS meter got eaten by a bulldog, it was only 783. BUT.....cheap TDS meter, never calibrated by me personally but said to have been. I am going to take a water sample in to a buddy who just got a job where he can test it, so I will get like all info and bad news. I have an RO coming...but also want a softener for other reasons. Honestly though....with all the water problems, can I still get these bitches to produce, or should I wait until I have a flwlessly functioning system and start fresh. I am afraid there has been too much stress in their lives, and they just seem so SMALL for their age. HARUMPH! Oh well.....like I said, if this was easy all the dealers would go out of business. It's fun...I just am eager to see some buds....I started this in late January and ditched the Hydro Hut on March 21st.......I am 60 days in and my biggest whore plant is only 4" with 4 nodes and is maybe 7" wide.....they look good...but then I see these pics of tress that are 18 days old, some kid with bagseeds under CFL....WTF!!! Maybe I am just too old and educated to do this...I need that reckless youth back. Oh well....fuck it........got some nice compressed shitty tasting yuk to take my mind off it..........at least it's free and gives a buzz....VIVA LA GROWYEROWN!!!!
 
platypusmann

platypusmann

Well-Known Member
TetraHyC said:
If the Ph gets out of range some elements will precipitate and form salts in your rez.The cloudiness you saw.
Click to expand...
The more acid I add (now relegated to vinegar, as both Hydro and aguarium PH down gone) the clearer it gets...PH now under 6.5...just checked after last mile long reply......I think the cloudiness was the base salts and the acid has neutralized them....for now...I know it will spike....but I scheduled my feedings when I am here to watch, so if I can get the ph right before each meal, I can at least keep them safer until I can do a water swap (2 hour job....need to have two hours when kids are gone....Sunday for sure). Peace and THANKS SO MUCH!!!
 
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