Getting a good PH balance when mixing Nutes.

slonez47

slonez47

Active Member
I'm using RO nutes and catalyst. I've heard that the mix comes out low on the PH side and that by adjusting with up you encounter PH swings. Apparently bubbling it for a day or two is the solution. Can I get some feedback here?
 
slonez47

slonez47

Active Member
Growing soil. RO potting soil. Five day old seedling so I have'nt started with nutes just yet. 125 watt CFL one foot above my girl and contemplating the future when the soil nutes falter and I have have to feed. If you want more info, fire away.220.jpg
 
ak.fortyseven

ak.fortyseven

Well-Known Member
KK, I have never grown in soil, well did an auto out of desperation a couple months ago, But hydro is my expertise. But, with my exp mixing nutes they usually come out really close to "right" for hydo unless i mix em strong.
 
RawBudzski

RawBudzski

Well-Known Member
You wont need to use nutes the 1st month in roots organic soil, keep that in mind. certain nutes will lower or raise the PH of the water you apply it too. When I ph, I personally.. Add nutes to water, check ph, adjust, instantly water. I do not let the solution sit with the ph buffer in it too long, it tends to sway that way. I normally ph it on the spot... then water.
 
slonez47

slonez47

Active Member
RawBudzski said:
You wont need to use nutes the 1st month in roots organic soil, keep that in mind. certain nutes will lower or raise the PH of the water you apply it too. When I ph, I personally.. Add nutes to water, check ph, adjust, instantly water. I do not let the solution sit with the ph buffer in it too long, it tends to sway that way. I normally ph it on the spot... then water.
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I appreciate that. If you read my post I had no intention of using ferts just yet. The nutes that I have WILL lower the PH when mixed. I know this also. Not up, it goes down, like around mid to high five. I'd planned on using PH up but a post that I'd read in the Organic forum said there was a problem with maintaining PH later on if you adjust it before you use it. It said to bubble it for 24 to 48 hours first. I really don't want to pour a solution with a PH of less than six on my plants dude. Soil is forgiving, but that forgiving, I don't know.
 
slonez47

slonez47

Active Member
The post in the forum said the PH swing hit after it was in the soil for a while. It's wierd cause I checked run off when I first got ready to plant and it was low, so I ran balanced water a few times and it stayed the same. Never dropped. But she's growing frigging great.
 
slonez47

slonez47

Active Member
RawBudzski said:
You wont need to use nutes the 1st month in roots organic soil, keep that in mind. certain nutes will lower or raise the PH of the water you apply it too. When I ph, I personally.. Add nutes to water, check ph, adjust, instantly water. I do not let the solution sit with the ph buffer in it too long, it tends to sway that way. I normally ph it on the spot... then water.
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We still cool Raw. I was'nt questioning what you said dude, just curious about after I pour the mix. Does the soil stabilize the mix or will it fluctuate?
 
RawBudzski

RawBudzski

Well-Known Member
ok well, I personally never test the run-off if I know exactly what is going in. When using quality soil lets say foxfarms or rootz, add a little dolomite lime & the soil will be very forgiving in correcting its ph if it is off.

When I mix my nutes together with water it drops the ph down to 5.5, I adjust then and minutes later it is 6.8 so I then feed.. If I were to let that solution sit overnight it tends to sway making me need to add more ph up. So I have a res. full of water, I take out however much I need, mix accordingly then ph. --> feed.

Though what you say will work too & not hurt. Don't get me wrong I premix / ph my solutions all the time just to get it out of the way, but I tend to have to re adjust the ph if I wait a few days. But I have never ran into any ph issues on my plant from feeding it ph adjusted water within 30 mins if that is what you are asking. I use rootz organic / ffof
 
RawBudzski

RawBudzski

Well-Known Member
went from hydro to soil now, so yes. It is all I use. I find it is easiest to grow in good quality soils/ brand name. Less hassle that way if you run into any issues since everyone uses those, & if using purified bottles of water or whatnot to water, you are in even better shape. you wouldn't even need a ph meter. well, you could do it without a ph meter is what I mean ^_^
 
slonez47

slonez47

Active Member
That sounds cool, and I guy I talk to on the 600 club said that same thing basically. I was just checking out the Organics Forum and someone mention a crazy ph swing afterwards. I'm finding out that checking run off is a waste of time anyway, because my runoff was low to start with. That was after running balanced water through.
 
slonez47

slonez47

Active Member
RawBudzski said:
went from hydro to soil now, so yes. It is all I use. I find it is easiest to grow in good quality soils/ brand name. Less hassle that way if you run into any issues since everyone uses those, & if using purified bottles of water or whatnot to water, you are in even better shape. you wouldn't even need a ph meter. well, you could do it without a ph meter is what I mean ^_^
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I only use Pure Life water. It has the minerals and I've checked it and it comes out sweet. It's the learning curve about ph and nutes that I'm trying to get ahead of. I only want to use good soil and the nutes I'll have to learn about by experience. I have RO Grow and Bloom, although I don't think it's called Bloom, anyway...and Trinty as a catalyst. It has molasses, kelp extract, humic acid. Sounds like a good feed for micros and bennys
 
slonez47

slonez47

Active Member
RawBudzski said:
ok well, I personally never test the run-off if I know exactly what is going in. When using quality soil lets say foxfarms or rootz, add a little dolomite lime & the soil will be very forgiving in correcting its ph if it is off.

When I mix my nutes together with water it drops the ph down to 5.5, I adjust then and minutes later it is 6.8 so I then feed.. If I were to let that solution sit overnight it tends to sway making me need to add more ph up. So I have a res. full of water, I take out however much I need, mix accordingly then ph. --> feed.

Though what you say will work too & not hurt. Don't get me wrong I premix / ph my solutions all the time just to get it out of the way, but I tend to have to re adjust the ph if I wait a few days. But I have never ran into any ph issues on my plant from feeding it ph adjusted water within 30 mins if that is what you are asking. I use rootz organic / ffof
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I did'nt add the dolomite lime though. Mine is only five days old. I can add it when I go to transplant
 
RawBudzski

RawBudzski

Well-Known Member
Just start off slow when feeding, Less is More sometimes. :) & keep us updated with pics. I am sure you are aware but make sure it does not stay to moist/wet in that pot. Let it dry out a little before waterings.

yes you can just mix a little dolomite lime in the soil, not much. I normally add 1tbls for 2/3gallon soil bags. Though it is not the hydrated lime, it is the gentle stuff from home depot garden lime, works great.
 
slonez47

slonez47

Active Member
RawBudzski said:
Just start off slow when feeding, Less is More sometimes. :) & keep us updated with pics. I am sure you are aware but make sure it does not stay to moist/wet in that pot. Let it dry out a little before waterings.

yes you can just mix a little dolomite lime in the soil, not much. I normally add 1tbls for 2/3gallon soil bags. Though it is not the hydrated lime, it is the gentle stuff from home depot garden lime, works great.
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For the moment I'm not going to feed her. When I do I'm going to start at 1/4 strength and work up watching for reaction. Watering, the light and fan dry it out because the soil drains very well combined with what heat the light and ballast put out and the fan. The size of the pot as well. I don't know if I posted a picture of her on here.
 
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