Looking for answers to a ph problem

[LEDhead]

I’ve reached out to both company’s and both are like, “it’s not my product” but no helpful answers so I’m doing a little research myself.
Here’s a list of what I’m using...

Power Si (Silicic Acid) 1ml per g
CALiMAGic 1.25ml per g
Jacks 321

First I had to figure out why my RO ph was dropping from 6.8 to 2.8 after mixing everything, YES my pen is calibrated and working well. Come to find out the Power Si is Silicic Acid so that’s the reason for the lower ph so....
I raise my RO ph to 9.3 then added Power Si mixed well and let air stone for about an hour, remove some to mix my Jacks in 2 containers, add CALiMAGic to my reservoir mix well, mix Jacks 321 and add back slowly mixing well each parts.
Ph comes out to 5.4 now which I like better and also noticed the GhUp I’m using didn’t cloud up when I added to my RO unlike adding after mixing my nutrients.
?Am I going to run into any problems raising my RO ph before adding Power Si or is this ok to be doing?
I read somewhere about doing this so I gave it a try. I feel like if I go to 10ph with my RO I’ll hit that 5.9-6.0 marker I’m aiming for.

 

[kingsizerizla]

Did this end up working for you… I have been trying to sort out the same issue here with my RO water and Athena Running powersi

 

[Brainpain]

Ro water is a tough way to grow. Ro removes too much in its process. I’m afraid you’ll have issues the entire time your growing.

 

[Choppr]

Never buffer until after you mixed your nutrients... all the buffering agents can be harmful, (your dealing with Acid and Alkaline) In RO it takes very little to buffer your solution either up or down! Your Power Si (Si02) is Silicon Dioxide, like most bottled Silica Products this will lower pH on its own, as many contain phosphoric acid. (mix in your Si 1st make sure its fully dissolved let it rest 10 min. mix again then add your other nutrients, (get use to checking pH after you add each element, this will show you how each element affects pH) mix well then buffer your solution, check in an hour adjust if need. Always recheck before you add to Plant Media. (addl: $14.00 Chyna pH/TDS/ppm meters are Junk, If your in the game for real youll need real testing/metering equipment, especially with RO, in Hydro) Right On!

Ro water is a tough way to grow. Ro removes too much in its process. I’m afraid you’ll have issues the entire time your growing.

Sorry, but no. Removing everything is why its used, a clean slate, my RO is 9ppm - you just need to know what/how to add back in what your plants need. Ive been in Hydro for over 15 years. With RO I know exactly what Im putting in and what is in my media at all times. (See Screenshot) this is my typical late flower mix solution for a 4 gal batch, all of these elements are added to RO to target Late Flower. Most modern nutrient lines contain everything needed for Cannabis. What you see in the Mix is Megacrop 2 Part Nutrient line. (at the bottom you will see a total in elemental ppms) Right On!

 

[Brainpain]

I stand by what I’ve said. I’ve only been growing for 23 years. You’ve picked a tough road.

 

[Thedude322]

Everyone just calm down! maybe RO water doesn’t work for brainpain! And maybe RO works just fine for chopper! Stop trying to fit everyone in y’all’s boxes. have you tried mixing the nutrients in a different order? I use Fúlvic acid, silica and liquid seaweed. And found mixing them in different order greatly affects the ending ph I get. I still have to adjust it. But if I can get closer to where I want to be. Then less adjustment is needed. Try mixing them in different orders and see what you get. And definitely don’t adjust the solution until everything is mixed.

 

[kingsizerizla]

Thank you everyone I have tryed different mixing orders… chopper ill try again thank in the order you specified and wait longer after adding and mix the heck outta it.

As far as not being able to use to RO due to it being difficult I can say I have been able to hold the 5.8 for a while before just it’s though to not over shoot and I need to mix a while or ph tanks hard when I leave it over night… I’m thinking I gotta let it mix a while be for I ph back up

 

[Kamisama]

Seems like u dont mix in correct order.
1. Silica (let sit for 10m)
2. NPK
3. Epsom
4. Calcinit
5. Additives
6. Phosphoric acid for PH down or for PH up

I do this with a base water PH (tap water) which has 7.4-7.6 PH based on temperature.
I add blackjak (additive), which contains also carbon, that pretty much help to stabilize PH for me.
Also, bigger res helps to prevent PH fluctuations, temp change slowly during day.

 

[kingsizerizla]

Seems like u dont mix in correct order.
1. Silica (let sit for 10m)
2. NPK
3. Epsom
4. Calcinit
5. Additives
6. Phosphoric acid for PH down or for PH up

I do this with a base water PH (tap water) which has 7.4-7.6 PH based on temperature.
I add blackjak (additive), which contains also carbon, that pretty much help to stabilize PH for me.
Also, bigger res helps to prevent PH fluctuations, temp change slowly during day.

That’s the order I tried… and ya I think the res size also cause I’m in young veg and my res is small

 

[Kamisama]

That’s the order I tried… and ya I think the res size also cause I’m in young veg and my res is small

Pictures of your setup would help. Do u have RDWC or DWC? What air pump do u use?
Change in temp could be your problem as PH because of that also fluctuate. Try to mix in temp of water near the average u have in grom room or outside in bigger res.

 

[kingsizerizla]

Never buffer until after you mixed your nutrients... all the buffering agents can be harmful, (your dealing with Acid and Alkaline) In RO it takes very little to buffer your solution either up or down! Your Power Si (Si02) is Silicon Dioxide, like most bottled Silica Products this will lower pH on its own, as many contain phosphoric acid. (mix in your Si 1st make sure its fully dissolved let it rest 10 min. mix again then add your other nutrients, (get use to checking pH after you add each element, this will show you how each element affects pH) mix well then buffer your solution, check in an hour adjust if need. Always recheck before you add to Plant Media. (addl: $14.00 Chyna pH/TDS/ppm meters are Junk, If your in the game for real youll need real testing/metering equipment, especially with RO, in Hydro) Right On!

Sorry, but no. Removing everything is why its used, a clean slate, my RO is 9ppm - you just need to know what/how to add back in what your plants need. Ive been in Hydro for over 15 years. With RO I know exactly what Im putting in and what is in my media at all times. (See Screenshot) this is my typical late flower mix solution for a 4 gal batch, all of these elements are added to RO to target Late Flower. Most modern nutrient lines contain everything needed for Cannabis. What you see in the Mix is Megacrop 2 Part Nutrient line. (at the bottom you will see a total in elemental ppms) Right On!

I got a bluelabs and trolmaster for meters

 

[kingsizerizla]

Pictures of your setup would help. Do u have RDWC or DWC? What air pump do u use?

Drip drain to waist

 

[kingsizerizla]

Drip drain to waste

 

[Kamisama]

Drip drain to waist

what medium do u use? Show pics...

 

[kingsizerizla]

In coco perlite

 

[kingsizerizla]

 

[kingsizerizla]

This is my first grow in this location and haven’t grown since Highschool so there’s a lot to take in lol

 

[Kamisama]

Cover res completelly. Thats coco, right?
What cycles for dripping do u use? How much water will plant get per cycle?
It d be better to have at least 2 drippers per pot or 3 the best.

Do u even need RO water? Whats your tap water?

 

[kingsizerizla]

Cover res completelly. Thats coco, right?
What cycles for dripping do u use? How much water will plant get per cycle?
It d be better to have at least 2 drippers per pot or 3 the best.

Do u even need RO water? Whats your tap water?

I’m on well water and working on the drip set up tonight do add another drip head to and stronger pump at well as micron filter the res is a simple 5 gal and is not I. The same room as the plant to keep the res from temp flux

 

[Kamisama]

I’m on well water and working on the drip set up tonight do add another drip head to and stronger pump at well as micron filter the res is a simple 5 gal and is not I. The same room as the plant to keep the res from temp flux

If u have a good pump, go for HPA or LPA. U could drain water to the plastic box u ve below or get some cheap self-primming pumps from aliexpress to drain water.

U ll need just some lids, small net pots and simple nozzles with fittings. All cheap in aliexpress.