PH meter salesmen sorry in adavnce...

[mysticepipedon]

i never used silica, so i actulley don't know. The reason i said it was cuz someone was using RO or well water and wasn't adding things in order. So, he was told to do silica 1st, check ph and than adjust and then add the nutrients or something like that. It was a while back, so i thought if your using silica than a ph adjustment might be needed. However, everyone case could be different.


I'd be happy to be corrected and find out what this Silica really does?

I've never added silica, because there is always some in the worm castings or other soil constituent, but what I have heard is that it strengthens cell walls and, get this, trichomes are MOSTLY SILICA.

This is recent info for me. I watched a youtube video of "Mr. Grow It", who was interviewing his plant physiology professor at Utah State U. Interestingly enough, Utah State, of all places, is doing a lot of cannabis research, largely headed up by this professor. His name slips my stoner mind.

 

[tobh]

So you think I should add silica, then ph down, then nutes, then ph up? All I do is mix potassium silicate, then add nutes - no need for ph up or down. So far it hasn't been a problem. I usually don't even wait 15min.

ideally, yes. there is one caveat that i've noticed here, and it's specific to Power Si where their label says it is potassium silicate but it's actually monosilicic acid. I don't personally pH down with it as my tap starts at ~7.3 and with the Power Si it drops to about 6.8. I do however let all the different components mix in the reservoir individually for about 10 minutes before proceeding to the next. Silica is the only additive I allow to go 15+ minutes, oftentimes longer. It has to do with the chemistry that's going on in the solution.

Might be worth doing a little experiment with your mixing process. Check the solution pH after mixing the silica for about 15 minutes. If it's super high (9+) bring the pH back down to ~6.5 and continue with your normal process. If it's not, continue as you have been.

@Aqua Man has an excellent guide on mixing nutrients, and that's where I picked up my process. Imma have to dig for it, but it's enlightening to say the least.

 

[growsince79]

ideally, yes. there is one caveat that i've noticed here, and it's specific to Power Si where their label says it is potassium silicate but it's actually monosilicic acid. I don't personally pH down with it as my tap starts at ~7.3 and with the Power Si it drops to about 6.8. I do however let all the different components mix in the reservoir individually for about 10 minutes before proceeding to the next. Silica is the only additive I allow to go 15+ minutes, oftentimes longer. It has to do with the chemistry that's going on in the solution.

Might be worth doing a little experiment with your mixing process. Check the solution pH after mixing the silica for about 15 minutes. If it's super high (9+) bring the pH back down to ~6.5 and continue with your normal process. If it's not, continue as you have been.

@Aqua Man has an excellent guide on mixing nutrients, and that's where I picked up my process. Imma have to dig for it, but it's enlightening to say the least.

I'm pretty sure it goes to about 9 after cyco silica, but the nutes bring it down to 6.2. You say it precipitates; does that mean I'm just wasting nutes and I should use less if I add ph up and down? How much difference does it really make? I have ph up and down, I just never knew I had to use them lol..

 

[supadoopa2]

PH pen salesman detected. Secret sauce for under $30. Keep it moving or ride that dead horse of "you made a mistake" in another thread till it falls under you. I got no problem admitting I am wrong, when I am. Don't listen to my advice, could care less, 1000's of kick ass growers on here saying the same thing. I just gave you a $30 way to prove me wrong.

I don’t ph in my soil. I built it right and the soil does it for me. Just add filtered water done. Results speak for themselves

 

[tobh]

I'm pretty sure it goes to about 9 after cyco silica, but the nutes bring it down to 6.2. You say it precipitates; does that mean I'm just wasting nutes and I should use less if I add ph up and down? How much difference does it really make? I have ph up and down, I just never knew I had to use them lol..

Yeah, potentially. So what happens is because of the pH being so high, when you add your other nutrients some will actually fall out -- like, you'll see a sediment in your solution and if you let it rest for a while it'll settle on the bottom of the container. The compounds that precipitate out are no longer available to the plants as a result. If you pH between the silica and the rest you might actually be able to use less to hit your target EC and further might see happier growth from your plants as all the micros and macros will truly be available instead of essentially being insoluble rocks in the solution/media.

 

[FuriousStyles]

This is why i didn't wanna be a op, i be banning idiots for days.

what is up with this proving stuff? What is the winning price after you've done proofing yourself?
im getting sick of tired you old fart ass goonies that feel like you need to proof something!
There is bunch you fart fucks running around and causing dramas that your method is better, or shit is done like this or have something to proof.


Go smoke your medication and relax the fuk up!

What a great idea I ban people who disagree with me. Cancel me snowflake? You triggered?

Read into the comment what you like. You read things through your own lens.
Just the same old forum non-sense. You read into it what you like or a reflection of who you really are.
Why do you assume the prove me wrong was directed at you or the other person. Maybe it was just a general statement for anyone before they buy 250.00 worth of equipment that has to be recalibrated rather frequently to know they did not need it.
Who am I that anyone should even care what I say. Like I said though, 1000's of other threads here say the same thing....I just gave you (you can be a general term) the way to prove it under $30. You two seem to have a problem with the fact these are hobby growers for the most part looking for simple cheap ways to get a good harvest. We are talking about a plant that produces seeds you can literally throw out in your front yard and have a plant to harvest late October, no ph pen needed. People been doing it for millennia's.
You and your paying friend seem to be the touchy ones ASSUMING there is some kind of heated exchange and one needs to relax. I guess if all you do is talk to yourself or an echo chamber everything is seen through that lens. Just too funny.

 

[FuriousStyles]

Seems like you're awful invested in this. Why are you pushing it if you could care less? By the way, the laws of English suggest you want the phrase "couldn't care less".

I am invested in helping hobby growers in soil not spend money on fancy toys they do not need, and saving money so they can by some MORE BETTER lights or MORE BETTER tents or MORE BETTER fans or MORE BETTER overpriced genetics.

I guess I do really care care what you think.....maybe....just a little.

 

[growsince79]

I am invested in helping hobby growers in soil not spend money on fancy toys they do not need, and saving money so they can by some MORE BETTER lights or MORE BETTER tents or MORE BETTER fans or MORE BETTER overpriced genetics.

I guess I do really care care what you think.....maybe....just a little.

ain't sposed to say more better.