Issues With Ph and Maintaining Ph In DWC (Using AN ph perfect) HELP!

I'm trying to get the ph right in my 5gallon dwc. My plants are only seedlings, and I've put seedling strength ratio Advanced Nutrients Ph perfect in the water. I'm using tap water.

My tap water measures 7.5 ph out of the tap. After adding advanced nutrients and hydroguard about 9 days ago in my first dwc, I measured the ph just 2 days ago and the ph was 8.4!

This makes no sense, as it's higher than the tap water was originally. So today, I used ph down to take it down to 6.0

I checked an hour later and it was back to 6.3. I ph downed again back to 6.0.

I just checked again, about 2 hours since last checking and altering ph, and it's back up, again, a bit to 6.2/6.3.

I don't understand what's going on. I don't want to keep adding ph down, as I know it can alter the nute balance. I've used a fair amount just getting it down from mid 8 ph to 6.0.

It seems crazy that I'd have to drop the ph by this amount every time I change the water in my dwc. Shouldn't the ph pefect nutes be lowering the ph quite a bit, even if using tap?

I know ph perfect advanced nutrients is supposed to be used in ro water, so I'm understanding why the ph is off, but it shouldn't be so off as it is, at mid 8's.

Using only 1/4 strength of the nutes, will this affect the ph level less (lowering less than it would at full strength)? When I use full strength, will that lower the ph more?

Why does my ph keep jumping up, even after adding ph down to it?

This is stressing me a bit. Any help is appreciated.

I just emptied the buckets and replaced them with fresh tap water. I haven't added anything to the water yet.

The Ph is 8.0, with nothing added to the water. Oddly, my tap water is 7.5, before I add it to the buckets.

Maybe it's the hydroton raising the ph? I rinsed it thoroughly before using it.

Your pH is going up from your plants feeding. You need a ppm meter. When your pH goes up and ppm goes down, You need to make your solution a little stronger. You want it to start out at 5.8, if it's still drifting readjust when it hits 6.2.

PPM goes up, Ph goes down=plants require less nutes.
PPM goes down, Ph goes up=Plants require more nutes
PPM stable, Ph goes up=Equilibrium=Good thing
http://www.ilovegrowingmarijuana.com/hydroponic-growing-schedule/

Well they're just seedlings, so the ph isn't going up because they're heavily feeding.

I used the recommended nute solution strength that was recommended for seedlings.

The water starts at 8 ph and never drops, even with the ph perfect, until I add ph down. But it slowly rises back up, I'm unable to keep it down.

I only have straight tap water in the dwc now, nothing else. It's sitting above 8 ph. I don't know what to do.

Do you have any pics of your setup?

Here's a suggestion. You'll need two buckets or something to hold enough water and your plant bucket. Flush your medium really good again with pH'd water. And hand water you plant until the roots poke out the bottom. Try not to let the hydroton sit in the water. At the same time, in another bucket, condition your water without the plant in there. First let your tap water sit for a day. Next, bring the pH down to six. Then add your nutes. Place an air stone in there and let this run for a day. The following day test the pH and see where it is, add pH up or down accordingly. Finally add this water to the plant's bucket. It should be much more stable, especially if the medium isn't flooded.

there are also many things you could add to your system to stabilize ph....... sadly most of those things are rocks, or sand. and require you to add a new chamber to your setup. lava rock works but you cant just throw rocks in your set up you have to set it up aside from your hydroponics like a fish sump.

Try bottled water to see if you can isolate your tap water as the possible problem

I've had just tap water in the buckets overnight, the ph this morning is 8.6.

It's just odd, because my tap water is 7.5, something is causing the jump up once the water is in the buckets.

I'm using single 5gal dwc buckets. The seedlings have rooted through the hydroton and are showing in the reservoir.

Would algae cause a ph jump? I noticed the air stone tubes were a little slimy.

I'd use bottled water, but I'm not able to afford to buy 10 gallons of bottled water every time i change the water.

I still have only tap water in the reservoirs. This morning I might add some hydro guard and some nutes, see where the ph goes. It seems right to add the nutes first before adjusting the ph.

I mean I can add 3 tsp of ph down to the reservoirs to get it at 5.5, and then let it ride up to 6.5 and ph down again. But the ph jumps up fast, and I'm afraid to use so much ph down in the tanks, as I've read the plants don't like it and it messes with the nute ratios. Maybe it will stabilize a bit after I ph down 2 or 3 times.

The seedlings are only 10 days old today, so straight water is still fine for them. But I'd like to get some nutrition in the tanks asap and correct ph so they can utilize it.

I think I might empty the buckets, clean them a bit, along with the air stone tubes, and refill with fresh water.

I'll try only refilling to right below the net pots, so the hydroton isn't in the water. I have a feeling it is the hydroton raising the ph so high.

Your pH is rising because your water contains a lot of Carbonates, Mostly by calcium carbonate I would guess.

ssj4jonathan said:

Do you have any pics of your setup?

Here's a suggestion. You'll need two buckets or something to hold enough water and your plant bucket. Flush your medium really good again with pH'd water. And hand water you plant until the roots poke out the bottom. Try not to let the hydroton sit in the water. At the same time, in another bucket, condition your water without the plant in there. First let your tap water sit for a day. Next, bring the pH down to six. Then add your nutes. Place an air stone in there and let this run for a day. The following day test the pH and see where it is, add pH up or down accordingly. Finally add this water to the plant's bucket. It should be much more stable, especially if the medium isn't flooded.

Click to expand...

BadlyDrawnBoy said:

I've had just tap water in the buckets overnight, the ph this morning is 8.6.

It's just odd, because my tap water is 7.5, something is causing the jump up once the water is in the buckets.

I'm using single 5gal dwc buckets. The seedlings have rooted through the hydroton and are showing in the reservoir.

Would algae cause a ph jump? I noticed the air stone tubes were a little slimy.

I'd use bottled water, but I'm not able to afford to buy 10 gallons of bottled water every time i change the water.

I still have only tap water in the reservoirs. This morning I might add some hydro guard and some nutes, see where the ph goes. It seems right to add the nutes first before adjusting the ph.

I mean I can add 3 tsp of ph down to the reservoirs to get it at 5.5, and then let it ride up to 6.5 and ph down again. But the ph jumps up fast, and I'm afraid to use so much ph down in the tanks, as I've read the plants don't like it and it messes with the nute ratios. Maybe it will stabilize a bit after I ph down 2 or 3 times.

The seedlings are only 10 days old today, so straight water is still fine for them. But I'd like to get some nutrition in the tanks asap and correct ph so they can utilize it.

Click to expand...

Stop guessing and get 10 gallons out of a machine. You need Cal/ Mag with RO.

I had the same setup and exact same problem. Except I was using growstones, which are loaded with calcium carbonate, and a waterfarm setup. Tap water with nutes was hitting 8 within hours. Subsequently, I'm forced to hand water my airport with 4.5 pH'd water and let the run off sit in a water catcher (drain-to-hempy). It's been working real good too.

Anyhow let me know how the conditioning goes. Tap water is loaded with chlorine, and pH stabilizers. Once you equalize those it'll should be good to go. Having a ppm meter really helps too. Let's you know if your plant is the cause (ppm goes down) or the medium is causing the up swing (ppm goes up).

Still using tap water right now. 30 cents a gallon and having to go fetch it isn't worth it.

last time i checked ph four years ago it was 8. My plants were doing great so i never checked again. If you want to stress over ph and ppm get a different brand lol. I've never used anything but tap water with them.

dirtWeevil said:

last time i checked ph four years ago it was 8. My plants were doing great so i never checked again. If you want to stress over ph and ppm get a different brand lol. I've never used anything but tap water with them.

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You use ph perfect advanced nutrients?

ssj4jonathan said:

I had the same setup and exact same problem. Except I was using growstones, which are loaded with calcium carbonate, and a waterfarm setup. Tap water with nutes was hitting 8 within hours. Subsequently, I'm forced to hand water my airport with 4.5 pH'd water and let the run off sit in a water catcher (drain-to-hempy). It's been working real good too.

Anyhow let me know how the conditioning goes. Tap water is loaded with chlorine, and pH stabilizers. Once you equalize those it'll should be good to go. Having a ppm meter really helps too. Let's you know if your plant is the cause (ppm goes down) or the medium is causing the up swing (ppm goes up).

Still using tap water right now. 30 cents a gallon and having to go fetch it isn't worth it.

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I brought it down to 5.3 and it's only gone up a few points. Might just need to restabilize it the first few days. My tap is good quality well water from our property, good healthy drinking water, so there aren't any crazy additives or too much chlorine, as far as i know. I think things will work out. Worst case scenario, i drop the ph down everyday from 6.5 to 5.3 and let it swing back up.

BadlyDrawnBoy said:

I've had just tap water in the buckets overnight, the ph this morning is 8.6.

It's just odd, because my tap water is 7.5, something is causing the jump up once the water is in the buckets.

I'm using single 5gal dwc buckets. The seedlings have rooted through the hydroton and are showing in the reservoir.

Would algae cause a ph jump? I noticed the air stone tubes were a little slimy.

I'd use bottled water, but I'm not able to afford to buy 10 gallons of bottled water every time i change the water.

I still have only tap water in the reservoirs. This morning I might add some hydro guard and some nutes, see where the ph goes. It seems right to add the nutes first before adjusting the ph.

I mean I can add 3 tsp of ph down to the reservoirs to get it at 5.5, and then let it ride up to 6.5 and ph down again. But the ph jumps up fast, and I'm afraid to use so much ph down in the tanks, as I've read the plants don't like it and it messes with the nute ratios. Maybe it will stabilize a bit after I ph down 2 or 3 times.

The seedlings are only 10 days old today, so straight water is still fine for them. But I'd like to get some nutrition in the tanks asap and correct ph so they can utilize it.

Click to expand...

FFS do not try adjusting the ph! This will fuck it up, just use 1ml per liter, add the brown one first, and bennies if you want, then leave it alone, that's literally all you have to do. Step up the amount as they get bigger. Top off with water as it goes down change once a week, but I've gone up to four weeks with no tank change.

BadlyDrawnBoy said:

You use ph perfect advanced nutrients?



I brought it down to 5.3 and it's only gone up a few points. Might just need to restabilize it the first few days. My tap is good quality well water from our property, good healthy drinking water, so there aren't any crazy additives or too much chlorine, as far as i know. I think things will work out. Worst case scenario, i drop the ph down everyday from 6.5 to 5.3 and let it swing back up.

Click to expand...

I've used them for four years now, the owner is a cunt but the nutes work great

dirtWeevil said:

FFS do not try adjusting the ph! This will fuck it up, just use 1ml per liter, add the brown one first, and bennies if you want, then leave it alone, that's literally all you have to do. Step up the amount as they get bigger. Top off with water as it goes down change once a week, but I've gone up to four weeks with no tank change.

Click to expand...

How can it work so well though if the ph is reading 8+? You're saying your ph is, like it was 4 years ago when you checked, around 8 ph, and you are having successful grows? It'd be great not messing with the ph, i'm just really wondering how it could work so well if it's reading in the 8's.

I added the nutes and dropped the ph in one of the buckets today, and I left the other alone. Maybe tomorrow I'll add just the nutes to that bucket without altering the ph to see how it grows. I can compare the two growing side by side, one with ph altered, one without.

okay, I did some more research and understand more now about ph and the way ph perfect works. it allows the nutes to be utilized in a broader ph spectrum, so maintaining a certain ph is not what it's about.

so tomorrow i'm going to empty the reservoir that I added nutes and ph down to today, add fresh water, add fresh nutes and leave it be. I'll add nutes to the other reservoir that has only fresh currently as well. I'll let it alone.

I'm done worrying about ph until/if I start seeing nutrient issues in the plants. so far they look amazing.

thanks for the advice everyone, and thanks dirtweevil for the testimony and steering me in the right direction

that's it man, the name ph perfect is very misleading, i wish they'd clear that confusion up, i also wish the d bag owner would sell the company to better folks lol. Here's my current lady in DWC. July 2nd is when the roots got down to the solution, i put this one in on 6/20. The new pics are from today, about a week since the roots sprang out