Moebius
Well-Known Member
I've used it on and off since I started growing. If I was dialling in another system like NFT or DWC I might use it again. ... With Hempy I feel its just not necessary and for 'me' has never helped.i use my citys tap water as well. i recently switched to GH flora micro (hardwater) and flora bloom with a drop of superthrive here and there. my ph is always 6.0-6.1 with my ppm at 685. pretty sweet not having to add ph up or down anymore.
I'm still learning but this is how I see it with my current understanding/reasoning; Leave out the pH and a grower can increase the EC levels using a 'balanced' nute. Thus creating a 'broader' chemical profile in the solution and in turn lowering the pH.
In my head I imagine the spectrograph of my solution. When I add pH down to that image (in my head) I see a huge spike in the P. ... For me 'I think' this is what leads to many lock-outs of other elements. ... Then what growers tend to do is compensate with more nutes/addys at ratios that have become meaningless because of the lockouts.
Another reason I leave it out is ; ultimately the plant ideal pH level will change depending on its size and age, stem thickness, lighting etc. It takes detailed observation and note-taking to really dial it in and 'KNOW' whats best. and if you introduce new additives, it all changes again. Some growers may just start using it and it happens to work but thats not my experience.