DWC Mistakes I made
- Thread starter Roseman
- Start date
polishfalcon420
Well-Known Member
how crucial is the ph of the water you use to soak the rockwool cubes, does it have to be 5.5 like the package says or can it be like 6.0? just wondering cause my milwaukee ph55 is on the way and right now I just have the gh liquid ph test kit. I also read that you should soak your hydroton in proper ph'd water for 24hrs before using. is this right or can you just rinse it real good and put it to use? thanks for all the help guys.
Roseman
Elite Rolling Society
Rockwool comes with a warning label, like abestos, to not handle it dry, because it has carcegens in it, or can cause cancer IF you breathe in enough of its dust.
SO, you do need to really soak it to handle it, but it will only take a minute to soak it and make it safe from DUST flying around.
Expert botanist and hortaculturist have a lot to say about the perfect pH, but I say PERFECT is not what you want or need. At pH of 5.6, some minerals and nutrients can be absorbed, that can not be absorbed at 6.9, and visa versa. Some nutes can be absorbed at 6.8 that will not be digested at 5.6. You need a SPAN of pH levels, in all stages and cycles. I let mine graduate at anything between 5.6 and 6.9, with good affects.
I have read some general hydroponics sources which say 5.5-6.5 is the ideal range, and lockout charts seem to imply the same thing. I suppose a little fluctuations probably not a bad thing though, especially if you aren't seeing problems.
Roseman, take a look at my girlies now.
https://www.rollitup.org/2571680-post16.html
KaliKitsune
Well-Known Member
I have found it best to start low, around 5.0-5.5, let it rise back up to 6.5-7, gently drop it down to about 6, then change solution and restart at 5.0-5.5. Just keep it cycling like that and relax. 
oldmandroman
Active Member
check out my grow help me out with my journal im new to the site and trying to get to know people
for cloning, lower pH is crucial, for seedlings its a little less finicky. 5.5-6.0 isn't a big fluctuation, if you can get to 6.0 you can get to 5.5, so do it.
Roseman
Elite Rolling Society
Roseman
Elite Rolling Society
Hey oldmandroman, visit this thread, my or our thread here:
https://www.rollitup.org/dwc-bubbleponics/7897-stealth-hydro-bubbleponics-systems-778.html
and introduce yourself and tell us about your gorw and show us where your thread is. I'm 60 years old and seem to make friends with all ages.
purpdaddy
Well-Known Member
Yes kali i cant agree anymore,start off with a low ph and it will rise naturally (especially if there is a pump in the rez!)repeat the process.I have found it best to start low, around 5.0-5.5, let it rise back up to 6.5-7, gently drop it down to about 6, then change solution and restart at 5.0-5.5. Just keep it cycling like that and relax.
hotboxhatchback
Active Member
i'm glad i found this conversation on ph. i'm killing my babes with ignorance...
maybe one of you guys can tell me why my ph is going up by 1.0/hr.
would it be cuz i didn't pre-soak with ph'ed water, i just rinsed my hydroton with tap water before use (8.1ph).
here's my grow: https://www.rollitup.org/grow-journals/199829-1st-time-grow-hydroponics.html
maybe one of you guys can tell me why my ph is going up by 1.0/hr.
would it be cuz i didn't pre-soak with ph'ed water, i just rinsed my hydroton with tap water before use (8.1ph).
here's my grow: https://www.rollitup.org/grow-journals/199829-1st-time-grow-hydroponics.html
KaliKitsune
Well-Known Member
Hydroton is supposedly inert and won't alter pH. What are you using to control your pH?
polishfalcon420
Well-Known Member
its not a problem to do it except the gh ph kit you can not get an excact reading. my ph meter should be here tomorrow so Ill just wait till it gets here.
KaliKitsune
Well-Known Member
I love the liquid indicator kits. I don't have to worry about replacing probes or calibrating them.
WeedIsForMe
Active Member
VERY NICE! ++++++REP. I'm doing DWC with the drip system and I wish I had added an extra airstone and I wish someone had told me about cleaning the hydroton pebbles ahead of time...I cant tell you how much the residue in my water slowed down the plant growth...fuckin sucked. Anyyways great post 
polishfalcon420
Well-Known Member
they are simple to use and pretty accurate I suppose but with the floranova nutes I got you cant check the ph after mixing in the nutes. they are suppose to be ph buffered so it shouldnt matter, really its more for piece of mind I guess.
hotboxhatchback
Active Member
i was using vinegar but after learning first hand how unreliable the stuff is i spent the cash for gen hydro ph down.
i know expanded clay should be inert but it was full of tap water with a ph of 8.1 when i put it in the baskets with the plants.
KaliKitsune
Well-Known Member
Mine was full of 7.7. It really shouldn't make much of a difference if you've had the hydroton in the pH altered water. Yes, vinegar is a short-term solution. I'm using Gen Hydro's stuff, for my 7.7 water I use about 2.5mL per gallon to drop it to 5.0-5.5.
hotboxhatchback
Active Member
i got a meter for the same reason, i use floranova and even the smallest amount tints the water noticeably.
anyone know the average lifespan of a ph probe or how often it should be calibrated? i have a hanna meter that looks like a tv remote control, works great i'm just wondering is all.
KaliKitsune
Well-Known Member
If you maintain your stuff and clean it after each use and store it in a neutral buffer the probes can last a couple of years. Usually this doesn't happen, and the probes only last about 6-9 months.