Doing better,,,

It's been awhile since I've posted. I was having trouble in the beginning, plants were growing slow, brown spots. But I found out that the chlorine/chloramine levels in my city's water is off the chart. I was also using ph UP/DOWN at the same time. I quit using the ph adjusters and installed a drinking water filter. And they have done a °180. But I am still afraid to use ph adjusters in my soil grow as I grow to save $ and if I ruin a plant it would put me out of smoke for awhile. Who uses ph adjusters in their soil grow? I want to adjust because I know it WAS about 7.1 when I was monitoring last year and I'm sure it hasn't changed. And nute suggestions, I use the good ol fox farm trio, but it just isn't enough I think. Maybe I have too high of an expectation for my final product and watching them grow de-sensitizes me. Or I have high standards. Bought some de-kine 420 bloom. Any users? Opinions? TIA!

What is your city tap water's ph and ppms? Try to find a report online and also see what the alkalinity is. Also, what type of soil are you using?

Black gold organic, I'm no longer worried about the chlorine as I've nipped that in the bud. I mainly want to adjust my ph. Just still a little shy to use the adjusters in my soil because it was part of my regimen in the beginning. I stopped using it when I fixed the water problem. I will be getting equipment to check soil ph soon. But I'm just curious if anyone uses it in the soil grow.

From what I've read if you start off with good filtered water and are growing in soil you are pretty much golden.. I've learned the simpler you grow the easier it is to have happy plants. Good luck!

i dont know how/why ph adjusters would damage your plants and noone elses.
ive used ph up down always and never had any kind of issue. its for making ph go up / down
if youre having issues its user error
prob using a cheap ph meter.

I personally would never water with anything but city tap water whenever it is below 200PPM out of the tap. And then charcoal filter it if over but under 250. Chlorine provides a small beneficial disinfection and oxygenation of the top 1" or 2" of soil. Also prevents the too common cal/ mag issues of RO and distilled. Bottled spring is another no no here. Minerals are added to our tastes. Not our plants.


As far as ph goes? I like to water/feed between 6.2 and 6.8. Always allowing the ph to vary within that rangr every watering. And slowly progress towards the top end of this scale as I get into flower. I can't paste the papers explaining it. But I have pics of the plants. Check your pen/tester in a cup or distilled water with a tsp of baking soda. Should read 9.0 everytime. If not. Clean your probes and calibrate. My $6 POS is still accurate after a few years. P.S. I rinse vigorously in a cup of distilled water and blow dry after after every use.

Adjustment wise? I have used General Hydro products since they were only producing aquarium conditioners. LOL. Never an issue. I buy it by the gallon for economy.

And I have yet to find a bag mix actually light enough or nute stable to just water and forget.

Best wishes. My two cents are spent.

Ok, then it was definitely my city's water, high levels of chlorine and chloramine. I will begin using my general hydroponics adjusters again. Was just afraid to use them after that nightmare last year. I'm using a charcoal filter as well. It's doing great, but it can be better.

And as for testing, I use the additive that came with the mixes.