Hydro PH question?

[JamesFarmer]

Hey All,

I am midway through my first grow and have been targeting a 5.7PH. My res PH has varied from 5.5-6 but I have generally been able to keep it 5.6-5.8 without much trouble.

My early reading indicated that 5.7 is ideal in hydro. More recently I am finding proponents of a 6.1-6.5PH in hydro (including Ed R.). Also some advocating letting PH fall as far as 5.2 before adjusting.

What have you all had best success with?

5.7 target?

6.3 target?

Micro control w/ frequent small adjustments?

Loose control/waiting for major variance before adjusting?

Thanks.

James

 

[kaka_]

I like 5.7-5.8 for fresh batches of nutes. As water and nutrient is used you will see it move upward and thats fine say into 6.3 but as you top off and and readjust nute levels I would take it back down around 5.8

 

[abellguy]

Some more information would be helpful in answering your question more thoroughly. What type of media do you have and are you recirculating or dtw?

 

[JamesFarmer]

Recirc DWC.

I have been holding a solid 5.7 without too much trouble and the girls look pretty happy.

Would running a higher PH be even better?

 

[abellguy]

Recirc DWC.

I have been holding a solid 5.7 without too much trouble and the girls look pretty happy.

Would running a higher PH be even better?

If you nutrient at rootzone is 5.7 and everything looks good no signs of defenciecies at all your good. You do want to it to swing some so keeping it set dead on 5.7 won't be as good as say letting it drift from 5.6 to 5.9 or so. You could call 5.7 for that strain its ideal PH. My pre98 Bubba likes 5.9 it took some time to figure that out though and with it I will swing 5.5 to 6.1 or so, I am in rockwool grow cubes and pots so a bit different setup. I work off of my runoff where you could look at you kinda have runoff all the time.

As a rule of thumb, and this is my preference, I let the PH drift up more into the 5.8 - 6.3 range when later in bloom cause the nutrients needed to help bloom are more available in a little higher PH. So I would say loose control, with not major but some variation before adjustment. Hope this helps with your situation

 

[Hydro-Soil]

Interesting that nobody asked what nute profile you're using.
The true answer for you will need to take that into consideration.

Lucas... start at 5.2 and let it drift to 5.8. Other nute profiles? You'll have different ranges so you'll have to find out what works best.

Some nutes will need a higher pH.. most won't need anything lower than 5.2. My rezes always started at 5.2... drifted up to 5.8 as plain water was added. Nutes and pH down were used to reach target starting tds and pH.

What nutes are you using and what pH ranges have you observed your plants enjoying the most?

Stay Safe!

 

[Keep goin]

Hey JamesF,

I will share with you the story of how I got into hydro after years of soil growing...and a bit of unsuccessful dabbling in hydro.

Your mention of "micro adjusting" caught my eye.

I was in a hydro shop a few years back picking up some supplies...got to chatting with the owner. He mentioned hydro growing...I said I had tried without success, and I liked soil. He said "you seem like the kind of guy who likes to fuck with shit all the time".... I laughed and responded that I thought that's what you were supposed to do in hydro. Constantly monitor, and adjust pH and nute levels..!?!

He then told me "his" story of working in another hydro store where they had huge tomato plants growing in a display. He kept coming in and finding that the res was needing adjustment daily. He was finding huge swings in pH. Down to 4.5...he was freaking out adjusting, adjusting, adjusting...and most importantly the plants were looking shity for all his adjustment. He finally just said "fuck it" and left em alone...voila..success.

He convinced me to re-try one of my 2 waterfarms that I had sitting in my garage doing nothing. Just load em up with fresh nutes and allow them to "self adjust pH" was his "guidance". Well that was prob about 4 years ago...and I now don't grow in soil anymore.http://5.hidemyass.com/ip-1/encoded...vaWMvaW1hZ2VzL3NtaWxpZXMvdGhhbmsgeW91LmdpZg==

I have def done some "fucking around" with things since then...different nute companies, add back alterations, different hydro systems, etc. But not really worrying about pH swings. All glory to simplicity! http://5.hidemyass.com/ip-1/encoded/czovL3d3dy5pY21hZy5jb20vaWMvaW1hZ2VzL3NtaWxpZXMvd29vaG9vLmdpZg==

Keep your nutes fresh, keep an eye on your EC...and let em run.
I go with a 25 gal res...5 gal fresh water 1st add back, then 5 gal mix..alternate that way and usually that keeps EC level.

Happy growing...hydro rocks!! You will love the ease of it when you stop "fucking with shit all the time"...lol

Good luck!http://5.hidemyass.com/ip-1/encoded/czovL3d3dy5pY21hZy5jb20vaWMvaW1hZ2VzL3NtaWxpZXMvc21pbGUuZ2lm

 

[SICE]

But we must agree that proper PH is essential.

 

[Keep goin]

No we must not...I monitor EC only.

 

[downtoearth]

Dancing with pH

Dancing with pH

I very lightly use this chart as a guide but not gospel. I think this chart as been around the internet more than my ex-girlfriend. Then again, probably not I try to watch the plants VERY closely. The pH needs to swing back and forth a bit. Good luck.

 

[Guest 243982]

Oh look everyone has a different opinion, welcome to the world of misinformation. Unfortunately, experience works best and the only way you can get that is by growing. Now for my "informed" opinion.

Let the PH swing baby! When you top off your nutes, put it at whatever PH works for your plants, then let er drift up till you top off again.

 

[whodare]

Certain plants require especially low ph 5-5.5.

The rest do fine from 5.5-6.5, but most professionals(real agri/horticultural) I've read recommend the higher side 6-6.5...

All my experience falls into line with that. If I let my res go from when I mix my fresh batch(ro water, jacks pro, balances at 5.7ph at 1.0 ec) it balances at 6.2-3ph in a day and stays there. I add back ph'd(6.2)water.

If your ph is falling check for rot somewhere.


Great academic source of hydro knowledge.
A Practical Guide for the Soilless Grower

 

[teemu shalanie]

I would agree with Pineapple1A4 , start at desired ph level when doing res change then adjust while topping up h20 levels/ppm levels....
TS

 

[Hydro-Soil]

Don't you just love it when people chime in with information without qualifying it first?

Huge difference between dwc pH and say hydroton or coco. Don't just go listening to what anyone says... without first finding out what corner they're talking from.

I've done just about all hydro styles. All the pH's will vary, even for the same genetics. Swing goes different ways, depending on the hydro style. Learn what you're supposed to be getting, then test it out on your plants.

The swing is important... whether it's gradual in the res or fairly quick in the medium, everything needs to be taken into consideration.

Don't forget nute profile differences also change pH requirements. Some nute profiles are so off you HAVE to stay at 6.1+ or so. Wow.

Anyway, just saying.

Stay Safe!

 

[whodare]

Don't you just love it when people chime in with information without qualifying it first?

Huge difference between dwc pH and say hydroton or coco. Don't just go listening to what anyone says... without first finding out what corner they're talking from.

I've done just about all hydro styles. All the pH's will vary, even for the same genetics. Swing goes different ways, depending on the hydro style. Learn what you're supposed to be getting, then test it out on your plants.

The swing is important... whether it's gradual in the res or fairly quick in the medium, everything needs to be taken into consideration.

Don't forget nute profile differences also change pH requirements. Some nute profiles are so off you HAVE to stay at 6.1+ or so. Wow.

Anyway, just saying.

Stay Safe!

Hydro is hydro. I've grown coco, hydroton, and rdwc. The ph always balances above 6.0 ph. Though when I feed coco the nute automatically balances to 5.8, runoff is higher usually though.

I qualified my advice with a link to a book from academia, which has 400 pages dedicated specifically to soilless culture, it has hundreds of citations.

Does anyone bother to ask why they are always fighting their ph down? If you just let it go, I'd bet it would balance from 6-6.4 ph in short order(dependent on water quality)

The swing is absolutely not a vital practice. Actually it causes undue stress on the plant as it fights to balance the ph in the root zone. It has been shown that the plants will adjust the ph of the media immediately around the roots.


Thousand ways to skin a cat though, just thought I'd share some info from an academic source instead of Cervantes or Rosenthal.