How to do this pH thing right?

Alright, so I'm getting some pH testers to figure out where my water is and where it needs to be. I'm buying strips because they're cheaper and I figure I only need to test my water supply once and I'll be able to determine what I need in what quantity from then on and just keep it consistant.

I could get the GH pH balance kit that includes a pH tester, would that be a good idea and would it be accurate enough? I've also read that white vinegar, baking soda, and dolomite lime can be used instead for much less money.

So should I go for the GH kit alone or should I buy more expensive strips and then buy the additives as required? I'm mainly setting up for my next grow with coco so maybe I should just mix some with dolomite lime to try to maintain pH levels? I'm really not sure, could use whatever advice you have.

Yeah dolomitic lime works great to up your ph, you can also use wood ash but thats more tricky to use as it is very strong. My mixes are almost always acidic so I normally dont need to lower, I dunno about vinegar but lemon juice will help, its strong though so be mindfull.

You can get ppm and ph meters for $20-$25 on e-bay.They are so much easier and faster to use than strips.OPH

AirAnt said:

Alright, so I'm getting some pH testers to figure out where my water is and where it needs to be. I'm buying strips because they're cheaper and I figure I only need to test my water supply once and I'll be able to determine what I need in what quantity from then on and just keep it consistant.

I could get the GH pH balance kit that includes a pH tester, would that be a good idea and would it be accurate enough? I've also read that white vinegar, baking soda, and dolomite lime can be used instead for much less money.

So should I go for the GH kit alone or should I buy more expensive strips and then buy the additives as required? I'm mainly setting up for my next grow with coco so maybe I should just mix some with dolomite lime to try to maintain pH levels? I'm really not sure, could use whatever advice you have.

Click to expand...

I bought one of the liquid testers as I figure I don't want to have to keep buying strips. The liquid tester is like a pool tester and it does about 500 tests before it runs out. Cost me $14 CDN so like $12 USD. I would recomend you just buy the right ph up and down. You can use lemon juice for p down and backing soda is a ph up. Dolomite lime is used in soil to raise the ph if you water acidicly. It is more used to buffer the soil as oppsed to being used as a ph up. Lemon juice is acidic and and baking soda is alkiline, but you might as well just spend the $20 - $25 dollars and get the right stuff. I just believe in always using the right tool for the job. Not to say something else won't work, but I just like to stick with what is recomended and I know is meant for it.

Hey it's your plants, but why take chances on ruining good bud? That's just my two cents.