Tjs1989
Member
Hey everyone. I have used this site for my last 2 grows, but never needed to actually post anything because you guys always answer my questions via someone else's questions.
That being said...
I have this issue that most probably wouldn't consider a problem, nevertheless it's been driving me crazy.
My pH will not fluctuate. And when it does, it goes up by about .3 in a week. I know how it sounds, the thing is; I can only check my plants every 7 days or so. I need the pH to fluctuate from the 5.5(or so) to the 6.5(or so) range so the plants get all their nutrients.
Last week I set my pH at about 5.3ish. I know that is kinda low, but I assumed by the next week it would have risen. It didn't change much. Went up to 5.5 in 7 days.
When I first saw them the leaves were curling up. Growth seemed stunted. All new growth is small, somewhat clawed, and a yellowish, lime green color. Older leaves had bronze spots and yellowing. Purple stems and veins. The roots that touch the water were turning a brownish color, but not slimy; more of a crunchy brittle feeling. I think that's it...
At first I thought I had Mg deficiency. So I added some epsom salts and a little phosphorus rich flower nute.
Then I thought I was nute burning them.
PPM read 600 before the salts. 800 after.
Also, I forgot to mention that my temperature went down really low to about 63F for about 48 hrs. I don't have a water thermometer but it felt "Really" cold to the touch. I did some research and thought maybe it was just the cold that had them looking bad and stunted growth so I didn't do anything else.
I saw them yesterday and they didn't look much better. The leaves that were spotting and turning were getting worse. The pH was still 5.5. I did some research and started thinking it was the pH. Maybe, the low pH was causing the deficiencies and the nute burn was due to ... too many nutes.
So I removed some of the solution and diluted with tap water. I think the temperature is under control too. Low 70F High 82F. Still no water thermometer, but it feels "OK"
So, after diluting the solution:
Yea so to my original question. Why won't my pH fluctuate? Im thinking that that is what caused this whole ordeal. The pH was low 5's for awhile mixed with cold environment.
Is there something I can do? Add?
My setup:
My solution:
That being said...
I have this issue that most probably wouldn't consider a problem, nevertheless it's been driving me crazy.
My pH will not fluctuate. And when it does, it goes up by about .3 in a week. I know how it sounds, the thing is; I can only check my plants every 7 days or so. I need the pH to fluctuate from the 5.5(or so) to the 6.5(or so) range so the plants get all their nutrients.
Last week I set my pH at about 5.3ish. I know that is kinda low, but I assumed by the next week it would have risen. It didn't change much. Went up to 5.5 in 7 days.
When I first saw them the leaves were curling up. Growth seemed stunted. All new growth is small, somewhat clawed, and a yellowish, lime green color. Older leaves had bronze spots and yellowing. Purple stems and veins. The roots that touch the water were turning a brownish color, but not slimy; more of a crunchy brittle feeling. I think that's it...
At first I thought I had Mg deficiency. So I added some epsom salts and a little phosphorus rich flower nute.
Then I thought I was nute burning them.
PPM read 600 before the salts. 800 after.
Also, I forgot to mention that my temperature went down really low to about 63F for about 48 hrs. I don't have a water thermometer but it felt "Really" cold to the touch. I did some research and thought maybe it was just the cold that had them looking bad and stunted growth so I didn't do anything else.
I saw them yesterday and they didn't look much better. The leaves that were spotting and turning were getting worse. The pH was still 5.5. I did some research and started thinking it was the pH. Maybe, the low pH was causing the deficiencies and the nute burn was due to ... too many nutes.
So I removed some of the solution and diluted with tap water. I think the temperature is under control too. Low 70F High 82F. Still no water thermometer, but it feels "OK"
So, after diluting the solution:
- pH - 6.2
- PPM - 500
- 1 hour after I noticed some of the leaves un-curling
- Noticed some new growth at the roots; probably due to water temp rising again
Yea so to my original question. Why won't my pH fluctuate? Im thinking that that is what caused this whole ordeal. The pH was low 5's for awhile mixed with cold environment.
Is there something I can do? Add?
My setup:
- RDWC w/ 3 plants. 2 in 1 tote. 1 in another. 2 air stones in 1, 1 in the other.
- Pump moves the water thru both totes to a "waterfall" inside res, which is connected to totes.
- Probably close to 20 gallons of water when full
- Lots of DO from stones and waterfall
- 600W MH running 24/7
My solution:
- General Hydroponics pH down
- Hydrodynamics Growth Technology Ionic nutrients. Grow and Bloom
- Peroxide
- My water comes out the tap 8 pH 70 ppm.
thanks
