run off adjustments?

the water i last put into my afghan was 6.8 and the run off came out to be 5.2. what is the adjustment i should make to bring it back up. im only asking because i have never checked my run off before and i need to be sure im going to do it right. the advice i was given was good soil + good ph'd water means i shouldnt have a need to check my run off. but im trying to absorb as much constructive criticism as possible. thanks!

By run off I am assuming you mean that your doing some sort of drain to waste system with dirt? What is the PH of the water before you add anything to it?

computergroove said:

By run off I am assuming you mean that your doing some sort of drain to waste system with dirt? What is the PH of the water before you add anything to it?

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yes, the drainage from my soil grow. and its distilled water but i always adjust it before i use it. 6.6-6.8. i dont really make a note of what it is before i ph it, but i always am using ph up with it. so its probably around 6.4 before adding ph up. and if im using fert then use i an airstone over night to mix and then adjust accordingly. usually around 5.9-6.2 before adjusting up.

its ok for your runoff to be 1 point or more lower than whats going in. that means your flushing out other things and stuff. your soil should buffer the water on its own if it has lime and such in it. i wouldnt freak out over it. if your worried topdress some pulverized dolomite lime next time you water.

mrblu said:

its ok for your runoff to be 1 point or more lower than whats going in. that means your flushing out other things and stuff. your soil should buffer the water on its own if it has lime and such in it. i wouldnt freak out over it. if your worried topdress some pulverized dolomite lime next time you water.

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ok thanks. i appreciate it.

I grow hydro now but started in soil, as far as ph goes I was always taught to not adjust ph of pure distilled water because the water is to pure to get a good reading and will fuck your pen up, thats why they say not to store your pen in distilled water. Any decent soil should be able to buffer distilled water without ph issues, id bet if you stopped ph'ing your water your run off would be spot on after 2 waterings

cant really verify it but ive heard the ph of your soil is half way between the ph of water going in and the ph of runoff so if ur putting in 6.8 and getting 5.2 then ur at 6. The ph of the water lowers as it picks up dissolved solids before becoming runoff

Jbone77 said:

I grow hydro now but started in soil, as far as ph goes I was always taught to not adjust ph of pure distilled water because the water is to pure to get a good reading and will fuck your pen up, thats why they say not to store your pen in distilled water. Any decent soil should be able to buffer distilled water without ph issues, id bet if you stopped ph'ing your water your run off would be spot on after 2 waterings

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i have heard that distilled water might fuck your pen up because it will pull ions out of it...or something i cant really remember. i dont store my pen in any solution though, i just make sure it is calibrated to 7.0 with a solution before i use it. and im using ff ocean forest soil. i dont really know how good that is among expert growers opinions but i hear it has a good reputation. idk man, i guess i could try leaving the distilled water alone. i have heard a couple of people say they dont ph distilled. thanks for the advice bro.

Adjorr said:

cant really verify it but ive heard the ph of your soil is half way between the ph of water going in and the ph of runoff so if ur putting in 6.8 and getting 5.2 then ur at 6. The ph of the water lowers as it picks up dissolved solids before becoming runoff

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? so what should i do...

Was also taught to never let your electrode dry out

Jbone77 said:

Was also taught to never let your electrode dry out

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i have heard that as well. but have also heard to rinse, dry, and sheath. its always on point when i calibrate it too. my meter reads hundredths (0.00) and and when i put it in 7.0 cal fluid its always good. i use to keep my old meter in cal fluid all the time but idk man. i do appreciate the advice though.