PH Problems in DWC

ydokkz

Member
Hi all.. Ive been doing very well with my DWC set up.. no problems at all.. Until tonight.

I got a new clone to add to an empty spot in my tote container and I knew that putting this baby in would have an effect on my PH.. No worries.. I was going to down the PH as soon as I was done settin er all up. Last time I checked my PH was this morning and I took it from 5.5 to 5.4.

So anyway.. after putting it in.. I kinda forgot to PH my system and started taking cuttings from one of my fems. Acouple hours later I realized what I had done because my plant leaves were starting to twist (I literally look at these things every 45 minutes lol).

Anyway.. I immediately stuck my PH metre in and the PH levels were outrageous.. Up at like 7.8. Tried to PH it down with a drop of my 85% phosphoric acid PH down... nothing. Tried another couple drops... PH went up.. What the FUCK!?. tried 3 table spoons and nothing happened....

I started getting a new res together and went to PH it down and for bloody hell sakes.. PH levels wont drop in this res and there is NOTHING in it except water.

Grabbed Vinegar and started with a few table spoons in the res with my plants and I was able to get it down to 6.4.. but no matter what I do not I can't get it to go down past that it seems... and the last bit of vinegar I put in brought it up to 6.6

I am so frustrated right now.. Someone please help me... Why is this just causing me a problem NOW? I'm assuming since I havent had any problems up until now that it is NOT the water I'm using.. Does PH down go bad? Why am I not even able to PH down regular water that is not even in my res? BLAH HJBASDUGASYDAISHD!!!:wall::wall::wall::wall::wall:
 

Irollfatties

Active Member
Sounds like a bad ph meter. There should be no problem ph'ing regular water, heck, not even water with nutrients. I was using ph down that was over 6 years old and worked fine.
 

Irollfatties

Active Member
I'm also noticing a really bad smell like a rotten fish tank after doing all this... what have I done :(

Root rot, caused by out of range temperature (usually mid to high 70's) or light leaking into the rez which causes bacteria to grow
 

ydokkz

Member
I was thinking my PH meter and did a few tests. Thought I had ruled that out but my PH Buffer solution IS reading 7.5 so something must be wrong...

This must be the reason because I have literally tried everything. My only problem is I can't go out and get a new PH meter right away and have probably polluted my res from all the bullshit I just put into it soo....

Would it be best to just set up the other res and stick them in tap water until tomorrow? or can I leave them as is for 12 hours?
 

Irollfatties

Active Member
If you're worried about ph you could use distilled water, it's close to 6.0 for the time being or buy the cheap test kit at an pet store.

edit: for 12 hours you should be fine, but i would just use tap water.
 

ydokkz

Member
I think I am going to do that. I dont wanna take any chances lol. Thanks so much for the quick response hopefully this doesnt stunt them too badly.
 

ydokkz

Member
Yeah needless to say I am a noob :D

Well guys thanks for the responses.. I just did what I had to do; 25 gallon tote of water is fucking heavy.. I just flooded my basement and got acouple bruises on my elbows lmfao. ( I can only laugh at that because I just smoked a nice bowl, I was cursing seconds ago)

ALSO! opened up where the batteries go in my PH metre and its completely SOAKED! Water resistant MY ASS! I paid like 150 bucks for this fucking thing under a month ago too. I can't believe all the hastle this has caused me.. They better fucking replace it free of charge and throw in some fucking plants.

lol please excuse my language.. It's been a long night.
 
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