PH Problems

I've only been growing for 3 weeks, so obviously I've very new to this. I'm running a hydro system where each plant pot is its own resivour. It's really a cheap and rigged setup. First off, the leaves on the lower part of the plant are starting to slightly fade, and this kind of freaks me out. So I decided to flush my system to try to prevent a nutrient burn, choke, or whatever it's called. I just flushed my system two days ago, and let the plant take in some this water first for about a day, then yesterday I added more nutrients. I tested the PH of the water I was mixing the nutrients in, and it measured in the 5 rage (I'm using a pool test kit, so percise accuracy isn't available). I then mixed in the pouder nutrients (FloraMagic), shook it up, and then added it to the plants. When I tested the water that came out of the system it was in the high 7's to the 8 range. Also I've been notticing a green discoloration on the perilite and vermiculite medium, and that leads me to wonder. Can a fungus or mold drastically change the PH of a water/nutrients mixure in such a short period of time? If, so what should I do to take care of said fungus problem?

If anyone has an idea of what could be going on, but you need more info just let me know.

If anyone has any growing tips that they would like to pass on to a beginner, they would be greatly welcomed.

Usually when the bottom leaves start to loose their color its a nitrogen defficency. What kind of medium are you using? To get rid of the fungus you need to cover your pots so no light touches your medium. As for your ph, buy a "ph pen" Here's a link.
eBay Store - eSeasonGear: Pocket Testers: HANNA Primo TDS Meter, PPM Tester, Conductivity
Definately worth the $$$. Then you can diagnose your problem a bit more accurately.

Hi, the green on the pots is Allgue, it's not a big problem it will eat the nutes and oxegen so it's compation for your plant, but mostly it's unsightly.

Like Blunted 1 said, cover your pots. Light + Nutes = Allgue

Do you have a PPM meter?

nitrogen defficency can also be coursed by lockout, if your plants are only 3 weeks old, then they don't need to much nutes, proabbaly half of the reccomended does for this stage of life.

My medium is 1 part vermiculite to 2 parts perlite. I will look into buying one of those pens. Do you have any recommendations as to a particular model or brand? You make it sound as if the algae could actually be beneficial. Say theorietically I decided to leave the algae alone, what would be my disadvantages and advangtages to do that?

Well if you let it go too long it will engulf you like the Blob did to Steve Mcqueen. Need to get them plants out of there and sterilize the system. Shouldnt hurt em to hang in air for a an hour or two..in fact they say them roots love get to a little fresh air occasionally. If that contraption belonged to me I would take out the plants and run some Clorox through there to kill that chunk. Wash all the rocks etc. Rinse it 14 times and put it back together. That should work.

Big Wheel

Ummm,

Not sure about that now.

Scrap the algue off, it will only be a Cm deep and cover the top of the pot with something.

It's not benifishal, it is liek a weed, using your plants resources, it's just not a big problem.

I noticed you PH before adding nutes? If so there is a large chance thats your problem.

PH should always be last step performed.

You need to ph before you add nutes and after to make sure the nutes didn't change the ph. As for the algae, it will eventually start to choke off your roots.

Well my water is always high ph and when I add the nutes it lowers it to bordering on just right to slightly acidic. I dont see any use of checking the ph prior to adding the nutes. Whut is going on here?

Big Wheel

Indeed, what is the piont of checking the PH before adding the nutes? no use.
quite right Big Wheel.

Some nutes will become locked out when they are introduced to a foul ph. Its kind of the same reason you don't mix 2 part nutes with eachother. Beneficials can be killed when introduced to water with a ph too high.

When I get some money I'm going to order a PH pen, but for now all I can do is watch the plant for signs of something going wrong. I covered the medium and the algae has disappeared completely. The leaves have also gone back to a beautiful lush green from being on the verge of turning yellow. Thanks to everybody who assisted me with my problem. I'm sure I'll have a million more questions down the road, so you all will be hearing from me again.