Z
zeeker
Guest
I was informed that the General Hydroponics pH up/down is only for adjusting your fluids for hydro usage, and not for soil. Is that true? And if so, what should be used when growing in soil?
J
Joe Dirt
Guest
It's not just for hydro users but it's only for amending water pH. You would use lime (up) or garden sulfur (down) if you're amending soil pH. Just FYI, it takes 2-3 weeks for lime to completely finish adjusting the pH. 
Z
zeeker
Guest
Yeah. I was just going to use it whenever I needed to adjust the pH of my water/solution prior to giving it to the plant(s). Now my battle will be to get the run off water into the acceptable range as when it went in. I always seem to fight this issue around week 4-5. Not sure what i' doing wrong. Proper pH going in....too acidic coming out.
J
Joe Dirt
Guest
That should not be the case unless you soil pH is too acidic to start with. There have been a lot of members complain about the pH levels of
OF being off. I have not had that experience but it's easy to see how that can happen sometimes, especially if you've seen the pH fluctuations you can get from the same mix in different parts of the same container.
The Squid
Spaced-out CephaloMOD
The only issues with using that ph up and down is with organics. It's possible that it can kill the microherd, which is the beneficial bacteria in your rootzone. It has been done and still does I'm sure. But I don't like the chance so I just get stuff for organics use. My 
Z
zeeker
Guest
Aside from me adding D lime when I first filled the pots, what can be done after the fact to get the pH in line and stay that way? Could one just add a little lime to their water (pH'd of course) when feeding/watering?
Z
zeeker
Guest
And what stuff might that be? Do share....
The Squid
Spaced-out CephaloMOD
Sorry. This stuff.http://www.plantlightinghydroponics.com/earth-juice-natural-ph-down-08-lb-p-3254.html And there's ph up too, but I don't use it. In the case I ever need it I use a product called Silica Blast by Botanicare. It has tons of useful benefits as well as upping your ph a bit.
But I will still say. There are growers that still use the GH stuff with organics and are fine. I just go safe. Do you already have it or are shopping now? And what nutes are you using; organic or chemical?
Z
zeeker
Guest
Shopping. Fox Farm trio.
The Squid
Spaced-out CephaloMOD
Trio isn't completely Organic, but that's ok. Either way I would go with the Earthjuice Crystals ph up and down. It's dry crystals instead of liquid, easier to handle, less messy,lasts forever. And it's plainly stated that it is for use with Organic or Hydroponics w/ chemicals. It's also cheap.
