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Nottingham, UK

I was wondering how many growers know the pH of their water and if so the range between growers.

I have been looking at one Calmag and silica based additives that are more effective (chemically stable) at pH not greater than 7. Greater than 7 and the efficacy of some products drops.

I looked up our water spec from our supplier and it's basic with 7.8 being the average.

Does anyone ammend their water?

Cheers

Pete

2/24/2015 2:51:06 PM

Whitehall Montana

My water PH is 7.0 so am lucky at this point

2/24/2015 3:49:35 PM

Sourthern Utah

water ph 7.0 here as well,, thats city water too

2/24/2015 6:38:26 PM

Austria

good question, I am sure our water is also basic
Does anyone adjust water PH with acid? or has experience?
Are there negative effects on adding acids to the irrigation water?

2/25/2015 1:18:38 AM

Nottingham, UK

I have only just started thinking about this and wonder if besides my own skill (or lack of) AND my weather, that water quality affects nutrition etc and is why my weights are relatively low (978, 874, 766 in 2013 and 673, 623, 554 in 2014).

I guess this is the part where I improve my skill.

Must be tons of info out there but I imagine hydroponic stores would be able to advise (still hoping for some growers to chip in though!)

Here's a link that opens as a pdf
http://www.gpnmag.com/sites/default/files/08_Irrigation_GPN0612%20FINAL.pdf

2/25/2015 7:41:20 AM

JACKSON, WISCONSIN. ; )

I think the more ferts.. Additives and stuff added to water it lowers waters ph hence why ph down and ph up products are available. I know advanced nutrients has something they call ph perfect it's in all there products it self adjusted ph once nutrients are added to water... To maximize uptake. If my memory is correct.

2/25/2015 8:09:11 AM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Water PH will also change once it is subject to Air. It needs to be given time to equilibrate.

2/25/2015 1:47:07 PM

Gays Mills, Wisconsin

I tested the pH continuously in my hydro project. Nutrient solutions were recommended to be adjusted to 5.9-6.1 I thought that was crazy low, but the plant handled that range very well. From that experience my water in the tank for the "soil patch's" drip tape will be kept on the acidic side. If you tank your water before using you can adjust the pH with stuff but as Garry wrote, some nutrients have pH buffers in them, so do any adjusting after everything else has been added.

2/25/2015 2:21:35 PM

Nottingham, UK

http://www.amazon.com/General-Hydroponics-GH1514-Control-Kit/dp/B000BNKWZY/ref=pd_rhf_dp_s_cp_1_95GY?ie=UTF8&refRID=10RRDT42BRVJZ2Q4ATF5

2/27/2015 7:24:46 AM

Whitehall Montana

Our local hydro store says use citric acid.If you screw up its easier to wash out of the soil with little to no damage to the soil or plant.I used white vinegar as a test subject 2 years ago and it did not hurt the plant when mixed properly.

2/27/2015 9:56:07 AM