To all the AG users, how often are you adjusting your Ph? I know having a smaller res requires you to check Ph more often but it seems like mine fluctuates every couple of hours. I'm using spring water, Foxfarm nutes and Technaflora Ph down. Could it be the cheap ass spring water from Walmart causing this? Or am I not using enough Ph down? Thanks
Aerogarden PH
- Thread starter boostlee
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HomeGrownHairy
Well-Known Member
I use FF nutes also. My Ph changes constantly. I just try to keep it somewhere between 5.2 & 5.8...Get a ppm meter too. It also changes rapidly as the roots suck up the nutes. I top off the res. daily with 1/4 nute solution in bottled spring water. Helps keep the ppm's 800-900 during veg.
iamthatguy
Well-Known Member
I also cleaned out my AG once a week to prevent build up and unwanted growth in the tank
stickyicky77
Well-Known Member
I use distilled water and i top off my rez every morning and the adjust the pH to 5.8. I change my rez and clean it and the pump with every 2 weeks. That's all i do and my mother plants do great. I have been veging the same mothers in my AG's for 9 months now. I also use a air pump and air stone in my rez and i leave the pumps on for 24 hrs. I use Foxfarm nutes.
HomeGrownHairy
Well-Known Member
I do it every 2 weeks. I just syphon out the old soup. Let the roots suck air for about 10 min and then refill with Ph adjusted nutes.
HomeGrownHairy
Well-Known Member
I do exactly what you're doing except for the AG pump. I leave the air stone on 24/7 but the AG is newly set on Tomatoes for the pump. You have any root problems with the pump running 24/7? My leaves looked like they were turning down a bit with it on 24/7 so I changed it last night.
Yes i have 2 airstones running and the aerogarden pump runs until the roots hit the water. I just changed out the res and refilled it with distilled water this time, so far the Ph has remained consistent. I usually mix my nutes in a gallon jug..wait a few minutes then add Ph down. Then I check it one last time before i pour it into the res. We'll see how it goes from here..thanks for the suggestions all!
I will pick up a ppm meter as soon as i get the cash. Right now I'm using the liquid tester..it's a pain but better than nothing
stickyicky77
Well-Known Member
I use SubCulture with the Foxfarm and Liquidkarma nutes and the pumps and air stones run 24/7. I have the lights on a separate timer set for 18/6. When i clean the rez i set the top of the AG over a plastic bucket to protect the roots while i clean the rez in the sink using Hot tap water and then i clean the pump. Then i add the fresh nutes. I do this every 2 weeks and i have never had a problem with my plants. It's fairly low maintainance. I top off the rez with distilled water and adjust the pH once a day. Thats it. The SubCulture will help with any root problems http://www.generalhydroponics.com/genhydro_US/subculture.html
stickyicky77
Well-Known Member
I mix the nutes in a 1 gallon plastic picture and adjust the pH to 5.8. Then i add the nutes to the rez and check the pH one last time and adjust if it needs it. After that i just top off the rez with distilled water and adjust the pH once a day.
MistyXMountainXTop
Active Member
I ph. my water then I add my nut.'s. I didn't have a regimen for topping off with nut.'s last grow but I should have. I'm realizing how much it sucks the nut.'s and not the water.
HomeGrownHairy
Well-Known Member
Only prob with the SubCulture is that it will increase root development. I have to many roots already don't need any more in my little 1 gal AG.
HomeGrownHairy
Well-Known Member
After. Anything you add will affect your Ph so you want to adjust the Ph last.