Hi everyone,
I guess Id like to get compilation of everyone's information regarding managing Ph levels in hydro setups... bubblers specifically. I'd really like anyone with botanical/chemical information to share whats going on at the molecular level when various substances are used to lower Ph.
The reason Im starting this is, naturally, because of my own recent difficulties with my first grow. <Check the Nursery for a detailed description of my setup>
So here's my Ph story:
I got most of my supplies from a pet store, and the only Ph adjusting product they had was Ph Down for aquariums. It comes in a powder. The active ingredient is Sodium dihydrogen Phosphate. I figured "good enough for fish...gotta be fine for plants". I used this in the plants reservoirs all the way up until last week (day 20 of flowering). I posted in the nursery about some symptoms I was having, and was told that my plants may be experiencing sodium toxicity - which sounded completely plausible so I stopped using the stuff immediately.
I've switched to lemmon juice which needs to be added to the res daily in pretty large doses to keep the Ph optimum. The Aquarium stuff was super stable and virtually never needed adjusting.
I guess I want to know what's in the Hydoponic Ph down, and what makes it work?
And... what is happening at the molecular level when I put the Aquarium stuff in?
Thanks everybody... would be nice if we could make this so sort of comprehensive Ph Post.
Smitty
"Grow strong, and forget where you put things"
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Smitty |