PH dropping like a stone in DWC

[Ozone69]

I'm running into a possible issue with my Amnesia plant. The last week and a half or so, the PH in the reservoir has been dropping pretty regularly every night. Bad enough that at first I thought that I had another Bluelab PH probe going bad on me, but after double checking with my little hand held and re-calibrating everything, it wasn't a problem with the probe. The plant was started between two that were in full bloom so she's grown very tall, stretching for the light I assume. But she looks to be doing well from all visual indications other than the height. The primary thing that I suspect is contributing to the drop is a couple weeks ago I started using Botinicare Hydroguard in the res. I was seeing some slime on the air stone hoses and some discoloration on the roots and after reading a bit and checking what the local grow store had I decided to give the product a try. Bit early to say how it's helping, but the PH drops started pretty much the same time.

It usually comes right back up to normal, or close to it when I top the res back up each night. She's drinking a lot, but not excessively from what I've seem on previous plants, about 1-2 quarts a day. Last night after topping off, it was at 5.7. When I checked on 'em tonight, was down a couple quarts and down to a PH of 4.6. Topped off and back up to 5.6.

Other info:

Water - tap (initial PH 7.0, TDS 70)
Nutes - Advanced Nutrients Jungle Juice micro & bloom using Lucas formula
Reservoir 2.25 gallon in 5 gal bucket with one 2 inch and one 4 inch air stone
Where she starts in my log: *insert link here*

Not sure what other info to include off the top of my head. Any thoughts and/or suggestions welcome.

Thanks! :smoking:[/URL]

 

[dingo]

If your PH is 7.0(too high for hydro), during the night your temps drop, what is your PH during the colder period?
Water PH will change with temp changes but should become more alkaline when colder.

I am not a hydro grower so best to leave this question for others to respond.

 

[A-Train]

@DWCocha

 

[briman]

Are you keeping an eye on your EC too?

PH goes up and ec goes down, needs more nutrients.

PH goes down and ec goes up, needs less nutrients.

If both are stable, optimal growth is going on!

these are just the basics. Our resident expert DWCoocha, will get you sorted soon. Your post has been reported to get his attention, as soon as he gets in.

 

[Ozone69]

The TDS is going down overall, but on track with the amount of top off water being added in each night. Murphy's law be dammed, though, as soon as I finally decided to reach out for help figuring out if I have a problem it may have cleared itself up. The last day and a half since posting the PH has stabilized. TDS is getting down to about half strength, though, so may bump the weekly res change up a few days and do a swap tonight or tomorrow depending on where the readings are at to see if it tends to only happen when on a fresh batch or something like that.

Thanks for the replies!!!

 

[Ozone69]

Spoke too soon, I guess. It was fine this morning when I posted, but this evening was back down to 4.7. I swapped out the res, so don't know exactly how much she drank but looked to be down at least three quarts of water/solution. I was reading somewhere that if the plant is taking in more water than nutrients, then the PH buffers in nutes can cause things to drop. But.....I've never read anything to indicate that the Jungle Juice line is PH regulating. Seems to always come in without needing adjusting when I mix up a new batch, so acts like they do even though nothing in any documentation indicates they do. Visually, I don't see anything off with the plant. None of the spotting or discoloration on the leaves I'd expect from PH fluctuations. Guess I'll just keep on keeping an eye on things unless anyone has any thoughts on something I should change up.