dont have ph down what can i use

panta

panta

Well-Known Member
the only store in the country where i live and it has no more ph down they say theyl get in a few weeks,what can i use to get my water stable i tryed vinegar but it keeps coming back up,my tap water is 8.2
 
H

highpsi

Well-Known Member
Battery acid (sulfuric acid) is a really good PH down, it's cheap and it is readily available at just about any auto parts store in the world. Just ask the auto parts clerk for "electrolyte" for refilling an old battery. It's around 35% sulfuric acid with the remaining being distilled water. Be very carefull with this stuff, it's considered a strong acid and at 35%, it will burn through your skin in no time. It's concentrated enough that it should last you a year or more. Best of all, it contributes elemental sulfur to the plants. It's a win, win. FYI - DO NOT USE THE ACID STRAIGHT OUT OF A BATTERY, IT CONTAINS LEAD.
 
briwaller

briwaller

Active Member
depending on ur water, tap, r.o. spring, ect., a few drops from a lemon cut in half, test it and repeat, if needed.
 
briwaller

briwaller

Active Member
battery acid, i never would have thought of, but muriatic acid people use for swimming pools works also.,but like the battery acid, use very little at a time, and be very carefull because it can be harmfull., to ur skin, cloths, ect.
 
H

highpsi

Well-Known Member
Battery Acid!! never thought about that before. It really works?
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Absolutely! It's cheap and it works well. It's just sulfuric acid mixed with water, that's all. No different than nitric acid or phosphoric acid in terms of being a usefull PH down for plants. In fact, sulfuric acid and nitric acid are stronger (therefore more effective) acids than phosphoric, which is considered a weak acid, so it takes less of it to drop the PH.

but muriatic acid people use for swimming pools works also.,
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Yes, some people use muriatic acid (aka. hydrochloric acid). However, this is not an ideal PH down for plants, as it releases chloride ions, which can be harmfull to your plants. Battery acid, on the other hand, releases sulfur ions which are actually good for your plants
 
briwaller

briwaller

Active Member
highpsi said:
Absolutely! It's cheap and it works well. It's just sulfuric acid mixed with water, that's all. No different than nitric acid or phosphoric acid in terms of being a usefull PH down for plants. In fact, sulfuric acid and nitric acid are stronger (therefore more effective) acids than phosphoric, which is considered a weak acid, so it takes less of it to drop the PH.



Yes, some people use muriatic acid (aka. hydrochloric acid). However, this is not an ideal PH down for plants, as it releases chloride ions, which can be harmfull to your plants. Battery acid, on the other hand, releases sulfur ions which are actually good for your plants
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thank you, that is good 2 know.
 
hehehemann

hehehemann

Well-Known Member
highpsi - Thanks for the information. i will now buy battery acid packs instead of the pricey PH down product.
 
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