New Grower PH

[hernando]

Hello to all.
Ive been a member for several months and this is my first time posting and second time growing autos. I am really impressed by the positive people in this network. I am growing green o matic and highrise seeds auto mix. My water is ph 8 out of a reverse osmosis unit and I use hydrochloric acid to bring my ph down to 5.5. Sofar I haven't had any problems. I am using GH three part nutes and 80watt Chinese leds that seem to work quit well ($100) each. I was wondering if there is any drawback to using hcl for an acid. Also I bubble it for a few hours before I water. Thanks in advance afn.

 

[GoAuto6]

If you did't want to use chemicals you could use vinegar to go down and baking soda to go up.. at 8 it should take around a tsp. spoon of vinegar per gallon of water to get you around 6.5? your nutes depending on your PPM could bring your ph down to what you need also.

 

[hernando]

Thanks GoAuto6 I have used vinegar however it takes me 2 ml of hcl to bring the ph down to 5.5 and several tbsp. of vinegar. My soil runoff is 7.0 either way and I figure that ranging from 5.5 to 7.0 from top to bottom is best for nutrient uptake. I was just wondering if the hcl was harmful to the plants in any way. also I am feeding 550 ppm ferts to five week old plants without any curling is this low or should I increase slightly. They are forming buds and not curling or dark and the lowest leaves are slightly yellow.

 

[hernando]

I will post pics when I get a new camera.

 

[GoAuto6]

Thanks GoAuto6 I have used vinegar however it takes me 2 ml of hcl to bring the ph down to 5.5 and several tbsp. of vinegar. My soil runoff is 7.0 either way and I figure that ranging from 5.5 to 7.0 from top to bottom is best for nutrient uptake. I was just wondering if the hcl was harmful to the plants in any way. also I am feeding 550 ppm ferts to five week old plants without any curling is this low or should I increase slightly. They are forming buds and not curling or dark and the lowest leaves are slightly yellow.

Rough Calculation Guide:
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If your runoff pH is higher than your starting pH, use this equation to determine your soil pH:*

Soil pH = Runoff pH + Difference
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If your runoff pH is lower than your starting pH, us this equation:

Soil pH = Runoff pH - Difference.
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For example, say your the starting pH of your solution before it goes in is 6.5 and the pH of your runoff is 7.0. The difference is +0.5, so using the above equation:

Soil pH = 7.0 + 0.5*

Soil pH = 7.5
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If your starting pH is 6.5 and your runoff is 6.0, your difference is -0.5 and using the above equation:

Soil pH = 6.0 - 0.5

Soil pH = 5.5
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Do you add your nutes then check your ph, or do you ph first then add your nutes?
for soil you want to be at 6.5
for hydro you want 5.5

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[hernando]

I first make up my Ph water and then bubble it for a while and then I add the nutes and ph test again. The ph doesn't seem to change at all when the nutes are added. I usually bubble this for a while up to a day and then I watter with it.

 

[Bgrt]

chem nutes are supposed to be mixed before feeding they usually say not to premix thats why alot come in 2/3 parts. so id say a day+ of bubbling that probably wont help anything probably just dulls the effect of your nutes. also bubbled water can read as a different ph im pretty sure.
i bubble for a day, PH, then mix and feed. same thing just a different order.
might have misunderstood but that seems like it could be giving you dodgy ph readings otherwise maybe your nutes are pretty neutral/same as your starting water.
pretty sure im using the same nutes as you and the ph changes, much more noticeably later on in the grow when more bloom is being used.

chemical ph up/down will be much easier to use and will hold the ph for longer than vinegar etc.