Yes I am bubbling the water (how did you pick that up? nailed it!), and I pH it (irrigation water) after nutes additions, up to 6.0-6.5. (Do you think) lowering the pH on the irrigation water more would counter act the higher pH in the soil? Tap water is a solid 7.0pH. After adding the nutes the pH sits around 4 and some pH up is required to raise the pH to 6.0-6.5. I had a similar issue with the last grow, and pHing the water fixed it.
Going on 3 years of growing and this is the first time I've had to deal with the water pH being an issue. It's also the first time using this new soil. "Kings Mix, Royale gold" and so far not super impressed.
Thank you for the reply.
I did a little research on the aeration/carbonate. I'll stop aerating and see what happens. I love chemistry.
"If CO2 supersaturated water is aerated it cannot be avoided that the pH will increase. Acid (CO2, H2CO3) is removed from the solution.
To keep the pH you should avoid the gas exchange. Don't aerate."
My poor attempt at citation:
https://www.researchgate.net/post/What_do_you_think_about_Aeration_and_pH_increases