My tap pH is high and not in a good way

SwampYankee · Dec 4, 2020

Lagged said:
OFF TO THE GROCERY STORE!

Dope tip brother. I've always heard about natural pH downers but never inquired.

I owe this to a Mary Beth Sanchez on the podcast GROW CAST with Jordan rivers. Great info on each episode and cool breeder interviews. My citric acid comes in a crystallized form. Very easy to use but be careful it takes an extremely small amount to adjust ph

Lagged · Dec 4, 2020

So here's a question. My go to guy on this forum recommended mosquito bits to help with the gnats while I wait for my EWC to come in. will the mosquito bits effect the pH at all?

Rurumo said:
To be clear, people who aren't ph'ing their water are growing in soil. If you grow in hydro or soilless mix/coco, you PH everything. I also use citric acid as ph down if I need it, but usually my nutes and fulvic acid put it right in the sweet spot. I also have high PH tap, but the ppms are around 150 to start with so it's not really that hard.

So you're telling me I've been wasting money on pH down and test for the past 2 grows. F to pay respects

I'm currently using some organic premium potting soil top dressed with EWC (some doo-doo HomeDepot EWC, just bought some BaS WC) and perlite

PadawanWarrior · Dec 4, 2020

Lagged said:
Organic soil topped dressed with some EWC/perlite. Are you sure 7.2 is okay to give directly? even on the non-feed cycle? Seems a bit high given the pH chart I have been referencing for nutrient absorption.

No need to pH your water with organic soil usually. I have well water that's around 7.6 usually and don't adjust it. My soil buffers it almost instantly.

I do use citric acid sometimes but more as a chelating agent than for pH. It can help flush out excess Ca, and I've been giving a lot of Ca based amendments, and already have Ca in my water.

It takes 1/16 tsp citric acid to lower my 7.6 pH water to about 6.6. But like I said I rarely use it. I usually always just give plain 7.6 or so water.

I think a lot of that pH shit can mess up the soil life and stability, but I'm no expert.

Lagged · Dec 4, 2020

PadawanWarrior said:
No need to pH your water with organic soil usually. I have well water that's around 7.6 usually and don't adjust it. My soil buffers it almost instantly.

I do use citric acid sometimes but more as a chelating agent than for pH. It can help flush out excess Ca, and I've been giving a lot of Ca based amendments, and already have Ca in my water.

It takes 1/16 tsp citric acid to lower my 7.6 pH water to about 6.6. But like I said I rarely use it. I usually always just give plain 7.6 or so water.

I think a lot of that pH shit can mess up the soil life and stability, but I'm no expert.

YOO

Do you think my plants look like they have calmag def because I've been pH'ing my water using organic soil? This just hit me.

PadawanWarrior · Dec 4, 2020

Lagged said:
YOO

Do you think my plants look like they have calmag def because I've been pH'ing my water using organic soil? This just hit me.

Could be. Top dressing with those good EWC you're getting and plain water is what I'd do. And then watch how they respond. Also don't let the temps drop that low if you can help it.

Don't stress too much. They look pretty damn good.

Lagged · Dec 4, 2020

PadawanWarrior said:
Could be. Top dressing with those good EWC you're getting and plain water is what I'd do. And then watch how they respond. Also don't let the temps drop that low if you can help it.

Don't stress too much. They look pretty damn good.

Yeah I upped the temp tonight. I'm so damn proud of my mainliners I can't risk it at this point lol

Should I remove the doo-doo EWC I got from the top? I top dressed to the top of the pots. Also, should I mix some perlite with the BaS EWC? I heard ewc can turn to basically concrete over time.

PadawanWarrior · Dec 4, 2020

Lagged said:
Yeah I upped the temp tonight. I'm so damn proud of my mainliners I can't risk it at this point lol

Should I remove the doo-doo EWC I got from the top? I top dressed to the top of the pots. Also, should I mix some perlite with the BaS EWC? I heard ewc can turn to basically concrete over time.

I'd replace it with the good EWC since you filled it to the top with the other. It is a good idea to add some aeration in with the EWC. I mix some pumice, or lava rock in with mine.

Lagged · Dec 4, 2020

PadawanWarrior said:
I'd replace it with the good EWC since you filled it to the top with the other. It is a good idea to add some aeration in with the EWC. I mix some pumice, or lava rock in with mine.

Hmm... pumice sounds pretty cool. Any specific brand/type I should get? Any reason you don't use perlite?

PadawanWarrior · Dec 4, 2020

Lagged said:
Hmm... pumice sounds pretty cool. Any specific brand/type I should get? Any reason you don't use perlite?

I don't use it because I'm trying to do no-till. Perlite breaks down over time, pumice doesn't. Pumice also doesn't float. I have nothing against perlite though.

I bought mine from BAS, but shipping is a little pricey. I said fuck it and just ordered it. I bought both sizes and I mix them together with the EWC and whatever dry amendments I add in.

Lagged · Dec 4, 2020

PadawanWarrior said:
I don't use it because I'm trying to do no-till. Perlite breaks down over time, pumice doesn't. Pumice also doesn't float. I have nothing against perlite though.

I bought mine from BAS, but shipping is a little pricey. I said fuck it and just ordered it. I bought both sizes and I mix them together with the EWC and whatever dry amendments I add in.

Free shipping at the moment 1/2 cu ft right now...

Looks like I may be grabbing some

PadawanWarrior · Dec 4, 2020

Lagged said:
Free shipping at the moment 1/2 cu ft right now...

Looks like I may be grabbing some

There's always free shipping on that size. It's actually more cost effective to order the 1 cu ft bags and pay for shipping. At least for me here in CO. It's $30 for shipping to me for 2 bags, so I can get 1 cu ft of each size for like $50 shipped.

Lagged · Dec 4, 2020

PadawanWarrior said:
There's always free shipping on that size. It's actually more cost effective to order the 1 cu ft bags and pay for shipping. At least for me here in CO. It's $30 for shipping to me for 2 bags, so I can get 1 cu ft of each size for like $50 shipped.

lmfao you're right man. 37 for 1cuft, 26 for 1/2cuft. So glad you pointed that out I almost got ripped off.

PadawanWarrior · Dec 4, 2020

Lagged said:
lmfao you're right man. 37 for 1cuft, 26 for 1/2cuft. So glad you pointed that out I almost got ripped off.

I can get 1 cu ft for under $25, but I am in CO. I didn't realize I paid that much less shipping.

JustBlazin · Dec 4, 2020

SwampYankee said:
My water comes out at 7.6 and I ditched the ph down by using citric acid. Only takes a tiny sprinkle to drop the ph in a gallon. Seems to be working, I'm not seeing any negative side effects and it's been a few months

i just fill a small bottle my ph buffer solution came in halfway with the citric acid then fill the rest up with hot water and shake the shit out of it to dissolve all the particles... now you got your own liquid ph down :cool:

My tap pH is high and not in a good way

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