pH paper vs pH liquid. Getting two different results? Which to trust?

[TheWifeOfASmoker]

My pH paper says my current nute solution is between 5.5 - 6.0

My Gen Hydro liquid test kit says it is below 4.0.

I just got the gen hy kit so I don't have much experience with it.




which do I trust?

eta I'm doing hempy, so pH is important.

 

[chairroller]

pH paper is more reliable, for me !!
Ideal level is 6,5 exactly !!

 

[chairroller]

How do you test ?? in soil ? in water ? after watering ?

 

[TheWifeOfASmoker]

6.5 for hempy? IDK about that to be honest.
I've always done 5.6-5.8


Do you know why they would be SO different (paper vs liquid)?

 

[TheWifeOfASmoker]

The nutrient solution is what I test before feeding.

 

[chairroller]

6.5 for hempy? IDK about that to be honest.
I've always done 5.6-5.8


Do you know why they would be SO different (paper vs liquid)?

hempy .. not hempy, Best pH level for roots to absorb adequate nutes is 6,5
Better test in the soil cause it contains components that may affect the pH level (you may water at 6.0 but soil is 7.5 or 8 for example, then the pH is wrong)

 

[SableZen]

My pH paper says my current nute solution is between 5.5 - 6.0

My Gen Hydro liquid test kit says it is below 4.0.

I just got the gen hy kit so I don't have much experience with it.




which do I trust?

eta I'm doing hempy, so pH is important.

If you don't have any calibration solution around, you can try comparing both against the pH of Coke (the drink, not the drug). It's pretty consistently around 2.5 pH (I've only tested from freshly opened cans). Sprite may be easier to use since it's clear and is pretty consistently 3.3 pH from a freshly opened can.

Word of warning though, pH may vary from bottling plant to bottling plant - don't know... but should be ballpark'ish'ly close enough to see which is closer.

 

[jondamon]

Personally I've found the liquid test kits to be pretty accurate as long as your nute solution hasn't discoloured the water too much.

I've found that SERA aquarium supplies liquid pH kit is about as close to a digital meter as can be.


For hempy IMO you're going to want to use a pH range between 5.2-6.2. For 5.8 being optimal for uptake of all nutrients.

Above 5.8 and Ca will not be uptaken.

Below 5.8 and Mg and P will not be uptaken.

IMO you should shoot for the pH6 colour on your testing liquid this should be pretty near to where you need to be.



J

 

[DeeTee]

I'd assume you'd be better off with a good quality ph meter, that would solve your problem.

 

[Ou8aCracker2]

Yep in hempy buckets (especially coco hempys) you want a pH between 5.5 and 6.0 with 5.8 being ideal for optimum uptake by the roots.

Now,the reason I say pH between 5.5 and 6.0 is because as the plant eats,EC drops and pH rises.So if you set initial pH of feed at 5.5,as the plant eats the pH will naturally rise to about 5.8 6.0 allowing uptake of all macro and micro nutrients.

 

[NorthofEngland]

I like to keep my pH at 16 by filling my reservoir with pure brewers vinegar.
I'd use petrol but they only sell unleaded....
and that stuffs for puffs!

 

[aisach]

They are both substandard for pH measurment.
But if I had to choose, I'd use the strips cuz they are easy.
The liquid colorimeter test IMO is a pain in the...
pH pens are really cheap these days.

https://www.rollitup.org/general-marijuana-growing/701733-lets-talk-about-ph-testing.html?highlight=lets+talk+about+pH+testing

 

[churchhaze]

Lol, i think pH only goes up to 14

I like to keep my pH at 16 by filling my reservoir with pure brewers vinegar.
I'd use petrol but they only sell unleaded....
and that stuffs for puffs!