tobh
Supporter
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@Aqua Man for sure set you straight. I experienced similar swings before I started using potassium silicate as my buffering agent. Since you're using cal mag, your new process will look like:
RO -> alkaline buffer -> pH down -> cal mag -> rest of nutrient line
The most critical step I've learned is to allow whatever your alkaline buffer is to mix THOROUGHLY before moving forward. I tend to let it mix with the water for ~30 minutes before proceeding simply to ensure that whatever astronomical pH it's going to hit, is achieved and stable before bringing it back down to 6.5 and proceeding. Sure, it makes res change outs an hour long endeavor when all is said and done, but it eliminated 95% of my issues in hydro.
RO -> alkaline buffer -> pH down -> cal mag -> rest of nutrient line
The most critical step I've learned is to allow whatever your alkaline buffer is to mix THOROUGHLY before moving forward. I tend to let it mix with the water for ~30 minutes before proceeding simply to ensure that whatever astronomical pH it's going to hit, is achieved and stable before bringing it back down to 6.5 and proceeding. Sure, it makes res change outs an hour long endeavor when all is said and done, but it eliminated 95% of my issues in hydro.