Help with PH issues

[Chappi]

After using natural ph up, which apparently takes forever to dissolve, now my ph is too high at 7.5

I adjusted two days ago for the first time. Ph was 8.7, i'm using RO water with with an added filter that adds calcium bicarbonate to raise the ph. I also fed 1/4 dose of Grow big and 1/4 dose of cal-mag before I Ph'd the solution to 5.5 The next day I checked and it was at 4.5, fuk!
So I added ph up to 5.6.
Today I checked and it was at 7.5!

I think the "natural" ph solution takes a while to dissolve, I use a rod to mix the solution before I ph, and I mix the shit out of it!

Another thing that worries me is that I use coco on the top part of my hydro buckets which I mix with beneficial bacteria(shark stuff) and today my res had some whitte bubbly stuff and had a slightly foul odor.. I think the natural ph up(potassioum bicarbonate) is toxic to bacteria. Because before that the bacteria on ph 8.7 wasn't an issue, as in no foul smell.

I found this on google

Potassium Bicarbonate
Potassium bicarbonate is a water soluble compound often used to neutralize acidic soil in crops. It is now under consideration as an organic fungicide. Potassium bicarbonate is a synthetic compound resultant of a combination of potassium carbonate, carbon dioxide and water and is found naturally in virtually all life forms. It is most seen in crystal form or as a soft, powdery substance.

"Potassium bicarbonate is an effective defense against powdery mildew, Septoria leaf spot, blight and many other fungal diseases. To apply, mix three tablespoons potassium bicarbonate, three tablespoons oil and one half teaspoon castile soap with one gallon water. Pour mixture into a spray bottle and mist the cannabis leaves. (This also works on most edible plants).

Potassium bicarbonate can be purchased from garden centers, hardware stores and pharmacies, or can be obtained online under various brand names."

So it's an anti-fungal? Fuck.

My issue I guess is more about the beneficial bacteria than my seedling which are looking good for now although they still have their cotys.

Anyone have any experience using natural ph up or down or any insight or tips on what I can do to help with this?

 

[OldPhart]

have you ran that "added filter" successfully before? I don't know why the average person would ever need to introduce any PH up component for an acid loving plant. Hell, maybe I need to shut up and possibly learn something, as your doing stuff I've not seen before.

OP

 

[Chappi]

You're right! I have never needed to use ph up before but this "natural ph down" stuff takes a million years to firkin dissolve and I overdid it.

I use mostly hydroton in my buckets, the top15-20% are coco. I use coco on the top because plants have different type of roots, the roots at the top like air and coco helps them with that I think. I also mix the coco with the beneficial bacteria because the bacteria need a place to live and they really like coco from what I've seen. It also helps when I put a rapid rooter in there stay moist. I water every 8 hours.

 

[Douglas.Curtis]

When using R/O, you shouldn't need any pH down, I haven't used pH down in years. The nutrients act as a pH down and you should only need to add some pH up. Personally I use the GH powdered pH up. It's super stable, costs less than $20 for a kilo and lasts for years when sealed properly.

I'd try *not* using the pH adjuster on the r/o machine and pick up some hydroponic pH up solution or powder.

 

[OldPhart]

When using R/O, you shouldn't need any pH down, I haven't used pH down in years. The nutrients act as a pH down and you should only need to add some pH up. Personally I use the GH powdered pH up. It's super stable, costs less than $20 for a kilo and lasts for years when sealed properly.

I'd try *not* using the pH adjuster on the r/o machine and pick up some hydroponic pH up solution or powder.

I personally find that the nutrients put the PH exactly where it should be at, well maybe a little low, but it will bounce back up with in a day or two. Top off the res with fresh nutes, and it puts it back down to where I like it. Only when I'm trying to get a few extra days before res change, I'll need a couple drops of PH down to counter the constant rise from the plants feeding (I assume that is why it keeps rising on it's own). Funny how everyone finds their own solution to their own unique situation.

OP

 

[Chappi]

I guess I fell for the ph myth about water being too acidic to drink. I'll just have to be careful with the ph down. I don't plan on using the ph up anymore.

Today my res jumped back up to 7.5 from a 5.0 last night, I sprinkled a tiny amount of ph up and left it. It will be the last time I use it. I was really trying to avoid a res change but I think that's going to be the best thing to do.

 

[Douglas.Curtis]

The most successful runs for me, with the highest quality product, have always been produced with a full pH swing and not changing the reservoir.

Fill the res with r/o, add your nutes, pH up to your bottom target range (DWC and drip have different correct ranges) and let it run. Top off with plain r/o every day. When the nute strength drops low enough to allow the pH to hit 5.8 or 6.1 (Again, depending on your hydro system and plants), add nutes to drop the pH back to the starting point.

Lather, rinse, repeat. Hydro is really very simple.

Roots-in systems, where the roots are constantly exposed to nutrient solution, require 5.4 - 5.8'ish pH swings. Roots-out systems, where the roots are allowed a drying out period, have a pH drop which happens as the media dries out; The max and minimum pH range will be different, depending on the media and growing conditions.

 

[Chappi]

Thanks Curtis. You said no res chnge at all throughout the whole grow? I like that idea lol. Good to see that it's been tried and has worked well.

 

[Douglas.Curtis]

Thanks Curtis. You said no res chnge at all throughout the whole grow? I like that idea lol. Good to see that it's been tried and has worked well.

I run about 3-4 months in veg, between res changes. The only res change in flower is about 5 days before harvest.

 

[Chappi]

So every day I've been adding ph down to 5.5 ish everyday and the next day back to 7.5! I did some research and I found out that too much air in your solution via airstone can raise your ph. I have a 12inch donut type aerator and I think it's overkill for my 13 gal reservoir. I turned it off today after setting the ph to 5.3. I'll post tomorrow to see if it made a difference.

Learn something every day.

 

[SamsonsRiddle]

to raise ph you can use a silicon supplement like dyna gro's protekt. only takes a little bit to raise your ph and it is beneficial to the plant. once you figure out how much gets you in the right range you can start adding it first (as it's supposed to be added).

 

[Chappi]

Thanks sam, I don't think I'll be needing PH up anymore.

Today I chacked the ph after having turned off the air pump yesterday..drum roll.......6.4!!

So I think I found the problem! I usually use a much smaller air stone but you know what they say "go big or go home" well this time I think I'll go back to my small air stone. They PH will probably adjust a little more by tomorrow.

Thanks everyone!