ph up...

is there any alternatives for ph up? I just ran out and need to raise it.

vinegar? its a weak acid....but I don't know if it would work?

i think baking soda does the trick too.... or is it baking powder...
whatever the crap in the yellow arm and hammer box is!

Ph is measured on a scale of 1-14. A Ph of 1 is a strong Acid. A Ph of 14 is a strong Base. A ph of 7 is Neutral. As the Ph of a solution begins to move UP from 7 towards 14 it is becoming more Alkaline or Basic. Conversely as it moves Down from 7 towards 1 it's becoming more Acidic.

You want to use Acids (things like Lemon juice and Vinegar) to bring the Ph down, and Bases, (things like Baking Soda) to bring the Ph up (make it more Alkaline). I just use simple Ph up and Ph down solutions to fine tune my mix.

Now, the Ph of my tap water is quite high. Around 8.0, making it a weak base solution. If I check my solution, and find that the PH is too low (acid) I can add tap water and bring the Ph of the solution up (make it more Basic or alkaline) siginficantly. Your tapwater's Ph may be differnt than mine.

I guess i didn't come out and say it, but don't use Vinegar to raise your PH!

oh f*ck...of course....thanks man....a total stoner moment....DUH! thanks again!

SoloGro57 said:

You want to use Acids (things like Lemon juice and Vinegar) to bring the Ph down, and Bases, (things like Baking Soda) to bring the Ph up (make it more Alkaline). I just use simple Ph up and Ph down solutions to fine tune my mix.

Click to expand...

Peroxide will also help raise ph, when used correctly... as well as many other benefits but if you use the common household type (hydrogen peroxide 3%) then be careful- I'd do a drop-a-gal at a time (anymore than .5 mL will hurt plants tremendously I presume.) In a pickle, you can use one of these alternatives to save your a*s but you really need to buy some real pH up as soon as you can. The peroxide will only raise your pH a tiny bit so if it's way off then go with something else. Chemical nutrients lower pH most of the time too. I just realized how ancient this thread is, hahaha; oh well, regardless- anytime one asks for help concerning pH, you should specify your growing method (soil/hydro) & other details like the type of nutrients being used, etc.