soil ph tests

orderof159

Active Member
heya guys!
if i test the runoff water, do i need to test soil, with some soil ph tester? i have rapitest 1845 digital soil tester, but i put it into water and i think it don't work anymore.
so i bought milwaukee ph 600 of ebay, with callibration fluid, will i be ok with only this, or i need soil tester also?
growing in soil.
 

MidnightJoker

Well-Known Member
I have a Milwaukee PH tester too, they are really great. The Milwaukee will really be all that you will need. Just measure your water and nutes with it and don't worry too much about the soil PH. Soil will always want to balance at 7.0 PH, so just keep your water and nutes within range and you will be fine.
 

orderof159

Active Member
Thx for replies.
And how can i adjust my water ph if it's not right?
Does this runoff will show exact ph of my soil, or i need do some +/-?
Just learning before 1st grow :) I hope it will be ok.
 

slonez47

Active Member
I have a Milwaukee PH tester too, they are really great. The Milwaukee will really be all that you will need. Just measure your water and nutes with it and don't worry too much about the soil PH. Soil will always want to balance at 7.0 PH, so just keep your water and nutes within range and you will be fine.
Soil will want to adjust to neutral if you have adequate buffers, right?
 

ChairmanMaow

Active Member
Get PH up or down.
Unless you want to be more natural. I use Vinegar to lower my PH. I've heard you can use lemon juice too.

You shouldn't need to raise your PH, and if you do, you can always spread (or sprinkle) some finely ground dolomite lime on the top level of soil and water it, or water with wood ashes mixed into your water.

Happy growing!
 

orderof159

Active Member
Hmmm, iv'e read somewhere that using lemon juice is not good, cuz it rots. I think everyone has seen that if you leave cut lemon in your fridge, after some time there is mould on it.
And which in your opinion is better, simple vinegar or apple vinegar?

Thank you very much, this is the best forum i've seen so far, very quick responses :)
 

ChairmanMaow

Active Member
I've heard debate over apple cider vs. regular, and I don't see the difference. The real difference for me is price. When you're paying $3 for something that'll last you months (3.5 mils per gallon for my water PH) it almost seems silly to spend money on a chemical designed to do the same thing!
 

jcdws602

Well-Known Member
Any organic matter will start to rot........just make sure none gets in your soil you'll be fine......
 

slonez47

Active Member
Unless you want to be more natural. I use Vinegar to lower my PH. I've heard you can use lemon juice too.

You shouldn't need to raise your PH, and if you do, you can always spread (or sprinkle) some finely ground dolomite lime on the top level of soil and water it, or water with wood ashes mixed into your water.

Happy growing!
The dolomite works best ground fine and mixed into the soil, and I would'nt waste my time on vineger. Spend the fourteen bucks and get a ph up/down kit. That's a twelve pack of cold beer.
 
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