PH problems

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chrisStarr20

Active Member

• Sep 22, 2008

• #1

Alright i am growing hydroponically this my first grow starting from seeds last grow i had clones and i have had nothing but problems trying to get the plants started i had three germinated seeds i am using the aerogarden to start them ten switching to the bubbleponics system... One has already died one is close to dead and one is doing well... I'm just wondering what could be the problem i'm using rockwool cubes and my ph is at 7.5 i keep adding downer in it about every other hr to slowly bring it down... i'm just curious when lower you ph how much can you add and how often...? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

SomeGuy

Well-Known Member

• Sep 22, 2008

• #2

PH should start at 5.5, then let it drift up to about 6.8. change res every week or so. I am new to hydro too, but I have 7 out 10 seedlings in DWC that have made it and are doing well. I also have 10 af-gooey clones that are loving this range as well. Hope that helps.

 

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chrisStarr20

Active Member

• Sep 22, 2008

• #3

What if I would change the water right now and set it to 5.5 before putting the seedlings in it would that be to drastic of a change for them?

 

SomeGuy

Well-Known Member

• Sep 23, 2008

• #4

Thats what I do and dont have problems. I dont think the plants are as sensitive to PH as fish are . The PH just helps them get the nutrients they need. Letting the PH fluctuate from low to high offers different nutes at different PH levels... LOL... did that make sense??...LOL

 

KAOSOWNER

Well-Known Member

• Sep 23, 2008

• #5

you should try to keep your ph between 5.2 - 5.8, do not let it drift up if you can help it. anything higher then 6.0 and you will start to have some nutrient issues. you should change the water in your rez every 2 weeks and also clean out the rez. if your ph is off i would clean rez now and add new ph'd water. ( ph'd to 5.2 - 5.8 ) check ph daily and add ph buffers as needed

 

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chrisStarr20

Active Member

• Sep 23, 2008

• #6

When bringing down the ph level how much can I lower at one time...

 

Greendude

Well-Known Member

• Sep 24, 2008

• #7

I start my DWC with my ph at 5.5 and check it everyday and add as much ph down as it needs to stay at the 5.5 . What nutes are you using? That can make your ph raise . I prep my water and nutes before I ever put my ladies in it. Good luck and keep growing

 

KAOSOWNER

Well-Known Member

• Sep 24, 2008

• #8

I always lower as much as needed, and like Greendude said always ph before you put it in with your ladies

 

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chrisStarr20

Active Member

• Sep 24, 2008

• #9

So you can just bring it down from like 7.0 to 5.5 all at once and it will have no effects on your plants? I'm not using any nutrients yet my plants or can i say the one that i got left is only a week old now i was gonna start adding nutrients next monday... I think its the rockwool i'm using thats keeping the ph up actually im pretty sure thats it...

 

SomeGuy

Well-Known Member

• Sep 24, 2008

• #10

chrisStarr20 said:

So you can just bring it down from like 7.0 to 5.5 all at once and it will have no effects on your plants? I'm not using any nutrients yet my plants or can i say the one that i got left is only a week old now i was gonna start adding nutrients next monday... I think its the rockwool i'm using thats keeping the ph up actually im pretty sure thats it...

Click to expand...

Make sure you rinse your rockwool and then soak it in Phed water for 24 hrs prior to putting the seed/cutting in. Rockwool will raise the PH if this is not done. do not squeeze out the water either, just shake it out of the cube. They should not be over saturated. Also, if you use decent nutes they will have ph buffers that will help keep ph stable. It is ok (and actually desired) for your ph to drift from 5.5 to about 6.5/6.8 before needing to adjust ph again. I am currently having my first go with Hydro but Ive been reading for months. Seems to be working for me so far

 

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chrisStarr20

Active Member

• Sep 24, 2008

• #11

I been researching alot i already had one sucessful grow but i started from clones just these seeds are difficult to keep alive it seems, i did rinse out the rockwool cubes i just failed to soak them in ph water i have been using the flora series for the nutrients... Thanks alot for the help...