DIY: pH Up - EASY!

Enigma

Well-Known Member
One more time guys, and with a little less bunk banter.

Just for you BBB:


Supplies:

(1) 2 L bottle - Labeled as BASE - $1
(1) Funnel - $1
(1) 2 lb dry sodium hydroxide by Roebic - Lowe's - $12.98+ tax
(1) Set of measuring spoons - $1
(1) 1 gal of distilled water - $1 (FREE! with a clean dehumidifier or reverse osmosis filter on a water outlet.)

Grand Total: ~$18.00


Precautions:

SODIUM HYDROXIDE CAN KILL!!!

So use safety glasses, rubber gloves, and well ventilated areas.

NEVER POUR WATER INTO A BASE!!!

IT WILL EXPLODE!!!

Always pour SMALL amounts of base in LARGE amounts of water, SLOWLY!!!


Procedure:

Fill the 2 L bottle with about 3/4 full with distilled water. This bottle should already be labeled for its intents and purposes.

Prepare your caustic base (sodium hydroxide, or lye) and measuring spoons.

SLOWLY pour (1) 1 tbsp of your base into the 2 L bottle. Slowly swish the solution to ensure a good mix of the dry granules. After all of the base has been mixed in slowly add more distilled water until nearly full.

Remember, if you mix this stuff too fast it will explode.. and possibly kill you.

Now, get an eye dropper and use three drops at a time on a test gallon to figure out the concentration. Unless you have the equipment to measure the granules by mass and calculate molarity of the aqueous solution you will have to test the strength of every batch. The good thing is, this is so cheap and effective it will be worth it.

Now you have enough pH Up for 2 years of constant use. This means 2 years for heavy hydroponics, a decade for soil if you ever need it.

Now, there is a better option than the sodium hydroxide. There are plenty of aquatic shoppes that stock calcium hydroxide, which would be a better choice since plants need the calcium anyways. You can also use potassium hydroxide.

:joint:

E
 

oregon024

Active Member
Why are you doing this.Someone who know how to grow does not use shit not needed.PH up.If you are a science student or some shit please practice somewere else.Some people here use this as medicen because they are ill.And need good advice.You need to educate your self on this plant more before giving advice.Someone out there may be trying to save their garden.oregon024
 

Fuzzotany

Well-Known Member
Why are you doing this.Someone who know how to grow does not use shit not needed.PH up.If you are a science student or some shit please practice somewere else.Some people here use this as medicen because they are ill.And need good advice.You need to educate your self on this plant more before giving advice.Someone out there may be trying to save their garden.oregon024
No, you need to educate yourself.
 

Enigma

Well-Known Member
Personal endangerment and risk of death/mutilation OR a couple extra bucks on PH adjustment.... Gonna go get my goggles and gloves
Hell ya! I like that spirit.

I seemed to have ZERO issues mixing this up the other night.. on the floor.. with no gear.

Let's just say, I know my way around a lab.

I agree but goggles and gloves where's the adventure in that.

Thanks for the info.
Bwahahaha!

Why are you doing this.Someone who know how to grow does not use shit not needed.PH up.If you are a science student or some shit please practice somewere else.Some people here use this as medicen because they are ill.And need good advice.You need to educate your self on this plant more before giving advice.Someone out there may be trying to save their garden.oregon024
I'm not even going to touch this one.

RIU can have it.

:joint:

E
 
Why are you doing this.Someone who know how to grow does not use shit not needed.PH up.If you are a science student or some shit please practice somewere else.Some people here use this as medicen because they are ill.And need good advice.You need to educate your self on this plant more before giving advice.Someone out there may be trying to save their garden.oregon024
I agree with you bro.
 

Jeffdogg

Well-Known Member
Wouldn't it be easier to use baking soda for PH up and use white distilled vinegar as PH down? :confused: (pretty cheap too and wont kill you like that other stuff will ;-))
 

Jeffdogg

Well-Known Member

MsBBB

Active Member
"Precautions:

SODIUM HYDROXIDE CAN KILL!!!

So use safety glasses, rubber gloves, and well ventilated areas.

NEVER POUR WATER INTO A BASE!!!

IT WILL EXPLODE!!!

Always pour SMALL amounts of base in LARGE amounts of water, SLOWLY!!!"


WOW:leaf::leaf::leaf: This has me scared S***LESS to even think about trying because accidents and mistakes do happen:leaf::leaf::leaf:
 

Rankdank

Member
Why are you doing this.Someone who know how to grow does not use shit not needed.PH up.If you are a science student or some shit please practice somewere else.Some people here use this as medicen because they are ill.And need good advice.You need to educate your self on this plant more before giving advice.Someone out there may be trying to save their garden.oregon024

Well put, I agree.
 

Enigma

Well-Known Member
I used baking soda for a year+ friend never had any issues, however I do believe for Hydro (DWC) grows to NOT use it. I on the other hand have been using soil as my medium of choice for the time being. When I go Hydro I will buy the correct PH up and down but for the time being baking soda never seemed to give me a problem yet :bigjoint:
FYI..since people seem to think I'm a dumby:

"Warnings
Some plants can't handle any kind of baking soda solutions. If you are unsure, test your plant's tolerance by applying a very small amount of the sodium bicarbonate water solution to a few leaves. If the leaves burn or the plant shows signs of weakening, do not proceed with any further applications. For all plants, it is a good idea to thoroughly water them as normal in the days preceding a baking soda treatment. Also, spray them in the morning or early evening to avoid direct sunlight."


Read more: Effects of Sodium Bicarbonate on Plant Growth | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_5611895_effects-sodium-bicarbonate-plant-growth.html#ixzz1BivPFTiV



is this what he is talking about

Corrosive and caustic are, in comparison, not even close.


Well put, I agree.
:dunce:
 

Jeffdogg

Well-Known Member
FYI..since people seem to think I'm a dumby:

"Warnings
Some plants can't handle any kind of baking soda solutions. If you are unsure, test your plant's tolerance by applying a very small amount of the sodium bicarbonate water solution to a few leaves. If the leaves burn or the plant shows signs of weakening, do not proceed with any further applications. For all plants, it is a good idea to thoroughly water them as normal in the days preceding a baking soda treatment. Also, spray them in the morning or early evening to avoid direct sunlight."


Read more: Effects of Sodium Bicarbonate on Plant Growth | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_5611895_effects-sodium-bicarbonate-plant-growth.html#ixzz1BivPFTiV






Corrosive and caustic are, in comparison, not even close.




:dunce:

Lol well for your FYI I was just giving a cheaper and much much more safe way of adjusting the PH of water. White distilled vinegar or baking soda might not be the best but i promise you as long as your not allergic to it its not gonna burn the shit out of your hands (or worse) and anywhere else it spills on ya if you have an accident.. When it comes down to it my life and well being goes before any plant, so go ahead keep pushing your way thats fine its what you believe in we all have our own choices. But there was no reason to be snide on your last post mate I was just simply giving a much safer and cheaper option. This is a forum, a place where people can discuss things. If you dont like whats being said in your threads then simply stop making them mate :D
 

fourrings

Well-Known Member
Thanks Enigma. For all of you haters on the DIY ph up and down...read the label of your non organic adjusters. They almost all say corrosive because they are made with corrosive stuff. If I had a little baby closet grow I would still make my own adjusters. Why? Because of threads like this I can! The giant red letters have clearly expressed that there is a risk. Unprotected sex carries a risk to but we all have done it. Some lose some get lucky! So take the knowledge given. Research the acids needed, buy some safety gear and mix away. You will be happy you did.
 

BLite

Member
Everyone likes to hate on good ideas. Both the vinigar/soda and the acid ideas are cool to know! Great diy!!
 
Top