PH Modifyers?
- Thread starter Gixxerboy
- Start date
MeJuana
Well-Known Member
Buy a Hanna PH pen from Ebay for about 20 or 30 bucks. Do searches on google to see if it has problems. Like this: "HANNA ####" + problem or broke
Buy PH UP/DOWN from your hydro store, just do a search on hydro + yourcity to find it.
PH UP you mix with water to bring your PH up. Use just a drop at a time with a gallon of water.
PH DOWN you mix with water to bring your PH down. Again just a drop
P.S. Cheaper route do searches on here for using Lemon Juice, Baking Soda for lowering raising PH. Test strips for a spa might get you close to the right PH. That acid at the hydro store is great though, your plants need those acids anyway
Buy PH UP/DOWN from your hydro store, just do a search on hydro + yourcity to find it.
PH UP you mix with water to bring your PH up. Use just a drop at a time with a gallon of water.
PH DOWN you mix with water to bring your PH down. Again just a drop
P.S. Cheaper route do searches on here for using Lemon Juice, Baking Soda for lowering raising PH. Test strips for a spa might get you close to the right PH. That acid at the hydro store is great though, your plants need those acids anyway
fatman7574
New Member
Wow I don't knpw about the p.s. part. I think I would ignore that part.
pH up is generally just potassium hydroxide and a small amount of a carbonate for a buffer. Sodium hydroxide can be used instead of potassium hydroxide. The buffer is pretty negligible as it is generally just enough buffer to counter a very, very small amount of acid. Either can be bought cheaply on eBay. Sodium hydroxideis also sold at most hr ardware store in the plumbing section.
pH down is usually a combination of Phosphoric acd and Nitric acid. Most people just us phosphoric acid or sulphuric acid. Nitric aco id is only about one third the strength of phosphoric acid. Klean-Strip Phosphoric Acid Prep and Etch is sold at most hardware stores for abot $12 a gallon.
http://www.wmbarr.com/product.aspx?catid=32&prodid=81
Organic acids (citric and acetic) are short lived and are not really worth the effort or cost.
pH up is generally just potassium hydroxide and a small amount of a carbonate for a buffer. Sodium hydroxide can be used instead of potassium hydroxide. The buffer is pretty negligible as it is generally just enough buffer to counter a very, very small amount of acid. Either can be bought cheaply on eBay. Sodium hydroxideis also sold at most hr ardware store in the plumbing section.
pH down is usually a combination of Phosphoric acd and Nitric acid. Most people just us phosphoric acid or sulphuric acid. Nitric aco id is only about one third the strength of phosphoric acid. Klean-Strip Phosphoric Acid Prep and Etch is sold at most hardware stores for abot $12 a gallon.
http://www.wmbarr.com/product.aspx?catid=32&prodid=81
Organic acids (citric and acetic) are short lived and are not really worth the effort or cost.
fatman7574
New Member
Do the pH up acids and pH down hydroxides have effects on nutrient formulation?
Normally one does not consider the later to be used acids and hydroxides when formulating regardless of the initial water conditions. The initial water conditions are considered when the formulation is designed so as to start out with an ionically balanced formula that is also geared towards the plants needs and theplants nutritional needs have priority over future needs in balancing the pH. About the only thing that is done to lessen or some what control later acid and hxdroxide needs is in the decision of the amount of ammoniacal nitrogen to use as it tends to lessen the amount of acid that will later be need to be added, also using enough calcium so that adequate carbonates can be formed for taking up excess acids. It is really experienced guess work rather than a science when it comes to minimizing a pH imbalance as so many things can effect nutrient up take up water dissolved CO2 levels.
Normally one does not consider the later to be used acids and hydroxides when formulating regardless of the initial water conditions. The initial water conditions are considered when the formulation is designed so as to start out with an ionically balanced formula that is also geared towards the plants needs and theplants nutritional needs have priority over future needs in balancing the pH. About the only thing that is done to lessen or some what control later acid and hxdroxide needs is in the decision of the amount of ammoniacal nitrogen to use as it tends to lessen the amount of acid that will later be need to be added, also using enough calcium so that adequate carbonates can be formed for taking up excess acids. It is really experienced guess work rather than a science when it comes to minimizing a pH imbalance as so many things can effect nutrient up take up water dissolved CO2 levels.