Ph Water Question

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Ganjee

Ganjee

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When I filled a bucket of water then Ph down until it reads 6.4 with my Ph Pen. The following day if I did not use all the water in the bucket and I recheck the ph is has gone up to usually over 7. Why does it do this?
 
MIGrampaUSA

MIGrampaUSA

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Plain water doesn't have buffers

Also and this is an "SOP" a standard operating procedure ... adjust ph after adding nutes. Those nutes will lend some stability. However, controlling ph should become one of those things you do daily as part of your regular routine.
 
MIMedGrower

MIMedGrower

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When I filled a bucket of water then Ph down until it reads 6.4 with my Ph Pen. The following day if I did not use all the water in the bucket and I recheck the ph is has gone up to usually over 7. Why does it do this?


Because of air exchange. Its pretty normal. Do you know the ec of the water? That determines how easy the ph can be changed.
 
Ganjee

Ganjee

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Also and this is an "SOP" a standard operating procedure ... adjust ph after adding nutes. Those nutes will lend some stability. However, controlling ph should become one of those things you do daily as part of your regular routine.
Yes, I also add nutes first. Check Ph, then use Ph down if necessary.
Because of air exchange. Its pretty normal. Do you know the ec of the water? That determines how easy the ph can be changed.
Ok, So basically just pH down some more if I need to the following days if the pH has risen. That is what I have been doing. No I do not know the EC, what would I need to determine it. Should I know it?
 
MIGrampaUSA

MIGrampaUSA

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Yes, I also add nutes first. Check Ph, then use Ph down if necessary.
Ok, So basically just pH down some more if I need to the following days if the pH has risen. That is what I have been doing. No I do not know the EC, what would I need to determine it. Should I know it?

A TDS meter will give you that information.
 
Dirtbag

Dirtbag

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Are you bubbling air through the res? That can cause the ph to rise by displacing Co2.

Also I'd be careful constantly adding ph down, you could end up with too much nitrogen or phosphorus depending on the acid it is.
 
Ganjee

Ganjee

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My tap water comes out around 8 it is very high.

Are you bubbling air through the res? That can cause the ph to rise by displacing Co2.
Also I'd be careful constantly adding ph down, you could end up with too much nitrogen or phosphorus depending on the acid it is.
Nope, I am using soil. I just fill up a large bucket of water then pH down it before watering the soil. But it will last for 2 days of watering. But everytime I recheck the pH a few days later in that same bucket of water. The Ph has gone back up. So I end up Ph it back down. I was just curious why this happens. I am using the General Hydroponics Ph down brand.
 
MIMedGrower

MIMedGrower

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My tap water comes out around 8 it is very high.


Nope, I am using soil. I just fill up a large bucket of water then pH down it before watering the soil. But it will last for 2 days of watering. But everytime I recheck the pH a few days later in that same bucket of water. The Ph has gone back up. So I end up Ph it back down. I was just curious why this happens. I am using the General Hydroponics Ph down brand.


My well water is 8.0ph but only 150 ppm (.3ec) mineral content. I never adjust it for potting soil. It is not needed.

It is the alkalinity of the water that is important not the ph. And phing without knowing why is not good advice.
 
Ganjee

Ganjee

35
8
My well water is 8.0ph but only 150 ppm (.3ec) mineral content. I never adjust it for potting soil. It is not needed.

It is the alkalinity of the water that is important not the ph. And phing without knowing why is not good advice.
So I purchased a TDS tester. My tap water is 135ppm. So with this information what should I be doing about the tap water ph at 8 then. No need to adjust?
 
MIMedGrower

MIMedGrower

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So I purchased a TDS tester. My tap water is 135ppm. So with this information what should I be doing about the tap water ph at 8 then. No need to adjust?


It should be about perfect although you dont say whats in it. I wouldnt adjust ph but i would monitor runoff it to see if it stays stable over time.
 
Ganjee

Ganjee

35
8
It should be about perfect although you dont say whats in it. I wouldnt adjust ph but i would monitor runoff it to see if it stays stable over time.
Ok thank you. Now I am not sure what the contents of the water is. I just order a 30$ TDS meter off amazon it arrived today. I am assuming I might be able to find a report for my local area that should tell me what is in the water. Or how did you figure out what is in your water. I am just learning this water quality stuff. So PPM would tell me parts per million. But I believe we want to know what is in that ppm. Because it could consist of a bunch of different types of minerals right?
 
MIMedGrower

MIMedGrower

17,190
438
Ok thank you. Now I am not sure what the contents of the water is. I just order a 30$ TDS meter off amazon it arrived today. I am assuming I might be able to find a report for my local area that should tell me what is in the water. Or how did you figure out what is in your water. I am just learning this water quality stuff. So PPM would tell me parts per million. But I believe we want to know what is in that ppm. Because it could consist of a bunch of different types of minerals right?


I had it tested when i moved in. You can call or go online to see water content. Municipal water companies post reports.

But at that low ppm you are likely fine. You just dont know if there is enough calcium for example. But there is in the soil if using potting soil.

Its all about balance.

But again. You have low ppm. You are likely fine.
 

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