HELP! DWC PH shift, any fix?

Bargar

Well-Known Member
So I put the nutrient mix in there at 5.8, just checked it after 2 days and it is at 6.8 to 7.0 (i have 3 DWC buckets, with 3 diff strains)

I am using Canna aqua vega, and rhizotonic. If i quit the rhizo will the PH shift less?

Also how do you single bucket DWC folks manage your PH?
 

m420p

Well-Known Member
go to a hydro store or go online and get PH up(base) & PH down(acid) to adjust your ph.
 

Bargar

Well-Known Member
I currently Use the PH down, from the hydro store, but for it to shift over a full point in 2 days? wtf?!?! When I did coco my rez would shift very slowly from 5.7-5.8 to 6.0.

Basically, is there a way to make it shift less? I like the idea of DWC, but after seeing the PH shift, I am questioning it's ease of use.

Also, airstones evaporate the PH down, so with that in mind, will I have to add some PH down Daily, and if so, what is the norm for folks using DWC with Canna Nutrients? 1ml, 3ml or 5ml of PH down? I know there is an equation to determine how much to use, but I can't find it anywhere in my notes.
 

m420p

Well-Known Member
hmmmmm.... that is quite a jump, is it possible your measurement was off after you added the nutes? Pry not though, as far as the airstones and PH down go, I actually didn't know that but it makes a lot of sense, i have a bucket with 2 airstones that will rise to 6.3 after 2 days from 5.8 while my other bucket with one airstone will only be about 6.0. I only have to adjust my PH every two days but I'm using different nutes than you so idk. What kind of water are you using? If your using tap that could be it, distilled or RO is much easier to manage PH from my experiences.
 

m420p

Well-Known Member
your ph will fluctuate all the time, just a fact of growing. vinegar will keep it down for less $$ than GH.
Fluctuate? Mine never "fluctuates", it will gradually rise but that's it, I'm sure you meant something along those lines cause I can tell you know what your talking about. I just think a newbie might take that to heart and let their Ph swing too much which I've done and mess up their babies.
 

Bargar

Well-Known Member
You are correct, fluctuate IS THE WRONG WORD, but Shift (upwards) is spot on. Vinegar has way too many downsides for me to use it. So I guess I will have to dose it with PH down regularly to get the PH right huh? If thats the case than I can already see DWC sucking compared to coco.... With coco I PH downed my rez once a week, and only had to change my rez out once a week...

Are there any PH downs that are not evaporated by airstones (outside of vinegar).

Thanks for the help so far folks!
 

Bargar

Well-Known Member
Do any of you DWCers not run your airstone 24/7? I found that with my other rez, my PH shifted a lot less when I put the Airstone on for 15mins a day, instead of 24/7
 

m420p

Well-Known Member
If thats the case than I can already see DWC sucking compared to coco.... With coco I PH downed my rez once a week
Are there any PH downs that are not evaporated by airstones (outside of vinegar).

Thanks for the help so far folks!
Didn't know that was the case with coco, but yes, with DWC your going to have to adjust every 2 or 3 days. Thats the one thing I hate about DWC so far, It takes a lot of maintenance and is a pain at times. Idk about your last question though but Im interested to know if there are, I doubt it though cause it would make things way more convenient and im sure id know. Anyone?
 

Bargar

Well-Known Member
So I am running a test bucket to get an idea of how much PH down is needed initially, and over the coarse of time.

For my DWC I am using Canna Vega A+B.

I have at my disposal Rhizotonic and Great white. I have Rhizo in the buckets with plants right now, but since I recall it raising my PH in the reservoir when I used coco, I am setting it aside.

Should I add anything that I do not have to my DWC system?

Lastly, does Great white effect PH in a DWC bubble bucket?
 

BendBrewer

Well-Known Member
Something about new bucket systems jack ph. Not sure if it is the plastic or what.

I recently switched to Lucas Formula using GH Micro and Bloom only. With the float valve top off method my ph stays at 5.9.
 
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