Ph problem.

Hi guys, im currently on flowering day 36, and for the last few weeks i have had a problem with my reservoir water ph, it crashes down to 5'ish in a day after changing the waters, as i do weekly.

Im using the terra aquatica tripart nutrients with tap water, 8-16-24.

My ec sits comfortably at 1.08, but if i try to raise the ph with ph up solution, the ec starts rising so it seems the nutrient flow is stopped.

The system is hydroponic with clay pebbles, watering happens few times a day.

Also the leaves are a bit dark maybe, with a little clawing occasionally.

Oh, and the roots seem fine. There are just a metric shit ton of them, they have also taken some space from the reservoir.
 
Last edited:

Darkoh69

Well-Known Member
Hi guys, im currently on flowering day 36, and for the last few weeks i have had a problem with my reservoir water ph, it crashes down to 5'ish in a day after changing the waters, as i do weekly.

Im using the terra aquatica tripart nutrients with tap water, 8-16-24.

My ec sits comfortably at 1.08, but if i try to raise the ph with ph up solution, the ec starts rising so it seems the nutrient flow is stopped.

The system is hydroponic with clay pebbles, watering happens few times a day.

Also the leaves are a bit dark maybe, with a little clawing occasionally.

Oh, and the roots seem fine. There are just a metric shit ton of them, they have also taken some space from the reservoir.
Adding ph up or down will raise the amount of total dissolved solids in your res so it will naturally give you a higher ec reading after adding. 1st set your ec where you want it, then adjust ph, then check ec again, make a note of how much the ec went up from the first time & subtract the difference every other time you check the ec of that solution
 

Bukvičák

Well-Known Member
Its around 5, the measuring liquid is red. When i adjust it to yellow or even blue (6-8) it takes no more than a day to be red again.
I need to be honest and say, that my only 2 atempts to hydro ended up average and disaster, so my advices are probably not the best but even though... Hydroton if were washed in low pH, than it works like a buffer. Anyway investment into some better pH meter seem to be worth, I would not rely on the drops when go hydro. You should not use your tap water, RO is a base IMo. And do you observe some issues related to pH right now?
 
I need to be honest and say, that my only 2 atempts to hydro ended up average and disaster, so my advices are probably not the best but even though... Hydroton if were washed in low pH, than it works like a buffer. Anyway investment into some better pH meter seem to be worth, I would not rely on the drops when go hydro. You should not use your tap water, RO is a base IMo. And do you observe some issues related to pH right now?
I am facing some issues, yes, and my best guess is they are ph related, hence the sudden dropping of ph. I have moderately dark leaves, wilting and drooping leaves, some little color deviation here and there. Also the buds dont seem to ripen as i'd expect them to. This is my first time going hydro, so its a little trial and error i guess.
 

Bukvičák

Well-Known Member
I am facing some issues, yes, and my best guess is they are ph related, hence the sudden dropping of ph. I have moderately dark leaves, wilting and drooping leaves, some little color deviation here and there. Also the buds dont seem to ripen as i'd expect them to. This is my first time going hydro, so its a little trial and error i guess.
Can we see how the leaves look like? This is actually quite difficult to help since you reffer to pH issue and you have not provided info and numbers we all understand as well as how the plant is going...
 
Can we see how the leaves look like? This is actually quite difficult to help since you reffer to pH issue and you have not provided info and numbers we all understand as well as how the plant is going...
Yes, of course you can. I'll attach some photos. What numbers would you need, im uncertain? I addressed this as a ph problem due to the rapidly dropping ph and weirdly slow growth and other minor issues. Could this be something else afterall?
 
What nutrients are you using and how much?
It says in the first message in this thread, terra aquatica and 8-16-24. As in 8ml grow, 16ml micro and 24ml bloom per 10 litres of water. I flush weekly with ghe florakleen and use hydroguard when administering a fresh nutrient solution into the reservoir.
 

Bukvičák

Well-Known Member
It says in the first message in this thread, terra aquatica and 8-16-24. As in 8ml grow, 16ml micro and 24ml bloom per 10 litres of water. I flush weekly with ghe florakleen and use hydroguard when administering a fresh nutrient solution into the reservoir.
RO or tap?
 

Bukvičák

Well-Known Member
Tap water. Self ec of the tap water is ~0.15 here.
OK let say you can do it with tap of this low EC, than I disagree with your 1,08 nutrient solution EC. Coz I have water 0,55 plus that nutes (you are using full dose BTW) is 1,9 EC in total. With your water you are on 1,6. Need to say that I know shit about this value is good or not, so just maybe your meter can be a litlle bit off...
 
OK let say you can do it with tap of this low EC, than I disagree with your 1,08 nutrient solution EC. Coz I have water 0,55 plus that nutes (you are using full dose BTW) is 1,9 EC in total. With your water you are on 1,6. Need to say that I know shit about this value is good or not, so just maybe your meter can be a litlle bit off...
So basically what are you suggesting for me to do? Lower the amount of nutrients? I also have calibrated my meter recently.
 
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