pH Up Seems Weak

[Curly Beaver]

I am using General Hydrophonics pH UP & DOWN. The DOWN seems to be much more concentrated that the UP which seems to take about 10 times a much (to move a gallon of water 0.1%)

Has anyone else experienced this, or did I just get a weak bottle?

Are there any household items that I could try to raise the pH?

 

[mokel]

baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) will get you PH up as well ... though i'm not sure what impact it has on ec value ....

 

[DRM Ranch]

I am using General Hydrophonics pH UP & DOWN. The DOWN seems to be much more concentrated that the UP which seems to take about 10 times a much (to move a gallon of water 0.1%)

Has anyone else experienced this, or did I just get a weak bottle?

Are there any household items that I could try to raise the pH?

pH up and down do not work with equal authority, and when, say 8 drops moves the pH value 0.9 points it does not mean the next 8 drops will move it another 0.9 points.

Take lots of notes and you'll find that with time and experience you can get pretty close in dosing pH up or down on your first attempt.

pH down = small dose big move
pH up = small dose small move

 

[Curly Beaver]

pH up and down do not work with equal authority, and when, say 8 drops moves the pH value 0.9 points it does not mean the next 8 drops will move it another 0.9 points.

Take lots of notes and you'll find that with time and experience you can get pretty close in dosing pH up or down on your first attempt.

pH down = small dose big move
pH up = small dose small move

Thanks DRM Ranch, that is exactly what I was looking for. Thought I either had a bad batch or I was going crazy.

 

[Tead]

If you go with baking soda (which is what I use), be aware that it really is VERY effective at raising the PH. Don't use too much.

 

[Curly Beaver]

If you go with baking soda (which is what I use), be aware that it really is VERY effective at raising the PH. Don't use too much.

Tead, do you treat a gallon at a time or large quantities?

Do you make up a stock solution and then add so many drops, or put the powder straight in?

Can you give me an idea how much to use per gallon, say to raise it from 6.3 to 6.5, or is it just trial and error. I know that small move sounds trivial but I'm using like 30 drops of pH up to get there.

Thanks for this reply.

 

[Tead]

6.3 to 6.5... maybe 1/16th tsp. Just guessing.
I just put the powder in and give it a little shakin.
I usually need to use it when I've gone over with my PH down.

 

[swwilson20]

6.3 to 6.5... maybe 1/16th tsp. Just guessing.
I just put the powder in and give it a little shakin.
I usually need to use it when I've gone over with my PH down.

Is it not good to re-adjust with up or down if the first time you missed?

 

[Tead]

Well... I wouldn't use it to correct a full ph number... but sometimes I overshoot and end up at say 5.2... with my target ph being 5.5.
Been doin it for years with no apparent problem.

 

[DRM Ranch]

There is no issue with correcting pH up or down if you miss your mark the first time. For example daily adjusting a recirculating nutrient reservoir pH over a weeks lifespan is par for the course.

 

[Curly Beaver]

I like using the Baking Soda when I'm way off, it is much faster and easier. Thanks for the tip guys.

 

[pr1]

I am using General Hydrophonics pH UP & DOWN. The DOWN seems to be much more concentrated that the UP which seems to take about 10 times a much (to move a gallon of water 0.1%)

Has anyone else experienced this, or did I just get a weak bottle?

Are there any household items that I could try to raise the pH?

def takes way more ph up to work, than ph down. i use the same gh products, and just try not to accidentally drop too low. ive used silica at times instead of ph up.