Help with cotum aeroponic setup (PH)

mdgcmd

Well-Known Member
Hello guys I finally got my aeroponics all setup. I used a ten gallon fish tank for my container, and two stacked storage totes for a grow-chamber. I am having problems with PH so it seems. I first checked PH and it was ~8.0:wall:.
I fixed it and the very next day it was back to ~7.0 from ~5.5. I am curious to know how exactly my res mixing procedure should be done?

Normally I add 4gallons of tap water that has a 7.0 PH level. I then add a total of 10ml of FF Grow Big (half strength) this "seems" to bring my PH way up. I then adjust the PH to ~5.5 or so and then add my lady's to the picture.

Is this an acceptable approach to my res changing setup? Also can I get some personal experienced fellas to give up some pointers? Thanks a lot guys have a good one.
 

wafflehouselover

Well-Known Member
bad setup, you'll get a headach having to mantain ph lvls and ppm everyday with your setup.

lose the fishtank and go with a tote to make it easier for cleaning.
 

potroast

Uses the Rollitup profile
Something certainly sounds fishy. :lol:

What are you using to check your pH? and what to adjust it? I haven't used Fox Farm, but the Grow Big shouldn't raise your pH.

HTH :mrgreen:
 

mdgcmd

Well-Known Member
For checking my PH I use two methods. 1. is the GH PH test kit w/ PH up and down... this is the vile and dropper test. I am also using the Hanna "Checker" digital meter. After keeping close track of the PH I see that it drops approximately .1 per hour. I am regularly checking via both methods and trying to find some sort of regularity in hopes to effectively keep up with the PH, or at least make it somewhat predictable.

Let me tell you guys a bit more detail about my setup.
Like I said before a ten gallon fish tank inside a set of stacked totes. I am using a 400 GpH submersible pump, and 1" PVC and 5 360* water jets. Now this is probably wrong but there was no formula or set method to watering so I set my timer to turn on every hour for 15 minutes. I am using 2 105w 5400k CFL's for about 14,000 lumen's. For venting I am using 120 CFM centrifugal fan directly attached to the fan is a can-filter. Temps are keeps around 72-85F and humidity around 50%. I can't think of any other details so please ask if you need to know anything else.
 

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potroast

Uses the Rollitup profile
Everything sounds OK, you just need to work out some pH issues. Try some tests, let your plain water sit out for a day and monitor the change in pH. Then add nutes, and let it sit while checking the pH.

Maybe you'll find that you have to mix your nutes, and let them sit for a day before adjusting pH for use on your plants.

HTH :mrgreen:
 

Tokecrazy

Well-Known Member
With tap water do what potroast said,let the water sit 24 to 48 hours before you mix your nutr.The tap water has chorine in it and evaporates after 24 to 48 hours.Two you can have hard water whitch makes ph rise too.Is there any light getting to the res tank?You have to keep it dark no light.You can try this,After water sits 24 hours test the water to see what the ph is,then add the nutr,always add the mirco first,then the grow and bloom.Let it sit for 12 to 24 hours.Check the ph and then adjust the ph.Let it sit two hours and check the ph angain.you can use spring water or disitilled water from a store for around $.62 to $.89 a gal.If you use distilled water you will want to add cal-mag to it to put back some calcium and magnesium.I mix my nutr in 4gals of distilled water the day before and put a air line in the bucket to help mix it up.I add the water to my res tank and then add the nutr mix and mix it together and then check the PH and adjust it.The first time I was having problems with PH and put my hair out adjusting it everyday,A friend say to do this,Take one gal of water,check the Ph,add the nutr,I use GH 3 part so I used 3 one gals jugs,First jug I added the {micro} the second jug added grow,and the 3dr jug the bloom,let them sit 12 hours after mixing them in each jug.He said to check the PH then and you will see how much it rises or lowers the PH in each jug.The mirco lower the PH and the Grow rised the PH and the bloom.This way you will know whats in the water is riseing the PH and you can adjust for it.Hope this helps you out.PEACE
 

mdgcmd

Well-Known Member
Awesome that will help I'm sure. I have been logging PH, RH, Temps, etc. and the PH moves but not that bad. I must have let it go for a while before fixing it before, thats why it was so high. Sense then I never let it go above 6.1 and try to keep it around 5.5. I will post back periodically thanks again fellas for the help later guys.
 
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