malibu

the chemical dyes are really accurate indicators for the range of their respective chemical reactions.

methyl yellow dye is for testing the pH range 2.9 - 4.0
and when the dye methyl red turns yellow it means pH > 4.4

phenol red, which comes in the cheap pool/spa test kits in the U.S. turns yellow below 6.6,
if the only dye was phenol red that you used, all you can say is you are on the acidic side < 6.6 and could be just fine!

OzGrowa

For the lowering of the Ph we should be using Phosphoric acid if at all possible, its beneficial not only for the lowering factor but will also contribute valuable Phosphorous to the solution and will not denature quickly.

Regds,
OzGrowa

smelly

had to bump this up - i have ph problems - cant search for ph - hot enough letters - i know this is in hydro - but only post of its kind to be found and it didnet start here - i have 8.5 ph comeing out of my tap and i think it is to much for my soil plants - can i mix batches of tap water use ph down to lower it and then feed is that a good idea - anyone have same problem or know about this - pease help me -

Takshaka

Yes 8.5 is very high. Are you in hydro or soil? For hydro you want around 5.2-5.8, soil is a little higher around 6.5 I think but I'm a hydro grower so check that.

If using tapwater you should let it stand for about 24 hours before you use it. Add the Ph down to the water gradually and keep testing until it's in the range you want. If you've been using Ph 8.5 water for a while it may be a good idea to flush the medium with Ph adjusted water.

Hope this helps

sirgrim

Why worry about pH, I don't, people say you need to check hydroponics a couple times a day, bah humbug, I change my water once a week, so I don't have to worry about pH level, that isn't long enough for it to go nasty with fresh water in my setup, sure it costs a little more in nutes, but I don't have to worry as much, only really need to tend to my plants once a week, it's great! Other people I know that hydro do this method too, seams very effective so far for me.

__________________
-=[sirgrim]=-

Takshaka

Yeah, but you get the PH right before you put the water in the reservoir, right?

OzGrowa

Correct and daily adjustment of Ph is THE critical factor for taking your crop fom the good to the trully sublime, if you meet all other factors but neglect the PH then the plant will not fully realise its potential, it will be a great plant, but not a GRAND plant.

I feel we owe it to the genetics to do the best job possible

Regds,
OzGrowa

sirgrim

I do monitor my pH occasionally, maybe twice a week, if it starts going one way or the other I know it's time to swap water, plus that seams to keep the plants very happy, I wouldn't like to be sitting in the same water for a couple months if I were a plant. Very simple way to keep the pH totally under control with a reservour system. Toke it easy.

__________________
-=[sirgrim]=-