Grow Mediums Is it normal for ph to rise in DWC?

[jackiejack]

Running my first DWC grow. When I mix in my nutrients (AN Sensi Grow Ph perfect) with RO water (ph=6.1) the ph is around 5.8-5.9. However I Checked the Ph 5 days later and it has risen to 6.7. Is this normal or there is something going wrong? Can i adjust the ph by adding ph down directly into the nutrient solution?

 

[FredGarvin]

I’m new too and Man O’Green helped me, but yes, as the plants grow and abosrb the water they leave some nutrients behind raising the ph. Or something like that. Someone will be by with a more complete answer shortly I am sure!

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

Running my first DWC grow. When I mix in my nutrients (AN Sensi Grow Ph perfect) with RO water (ph=6.1) the ph is around 5.8-5.9. However I Checked the Ph 5 days later and it has risen to 6.7. Is this normal or there is something going wrong? Can i adjust the ph by adding ph down directly into the nutrient solution?

More often then not the roots of the plant can exude substances that can change the PH also as the water aerates it will precipitate calcium carbonate which also changes the PH as well as the plant changing the nutrient ratios in the reservoir. So ther are several factors changing the PH as you grow. When the reservoir takes a sudden drop in PH - I mean like from 5.8 to 4.6 in just a few hours it is a signal to switch to flower nutrients. What is happening is the roots are exuding sustances that cause the soil microbes to produce more P-K. I watch my PH levels at a minimum 3 or 4 times a day and make small corrections when needed.

No, do not add PH buffers directly to the reservoir it may burn the roots. Always mix in a few ounces of water first then add to the reservoir.

 

[jackiejack]

Thank you for your replies. What I meant when I wrote directly into the reservoir was to first remove the cover top with the net pot and place it on an empty bucket and then directly add ph down into the nutrient water bucket. From my understand if I remove the roots from the nutrient water there is no problem adding ph down directly, right?

 

[Atulip]

Thank you for your replies. What I meant when I wrote directly into the reservoir was to first remove the cover top with the net pot and place it on an empty bucket and then directly add ph down into the nutrient water bucket. From my understand if I remove the roots from the nutrient water there is no problem adding ph down directly, right?

Should be no problem if you're removing the plant then mixing. My pH has swung low and high in DWC.

 

[Simplicio]

I sometimes add pH up/dn directly to my dwc reservoirs, but quickly agitate the water to mix it in completely within a few seconds.
If liquid is easily removed from the reservoir, then taking out a cup or so, adding pH up/dn, then pouring back in, is very safe if quickly mixed in.

 

[Mañ'O'Green]

Thank you for your replies. What I meant when I wrote directly into the reservoir was to first remove the cover top with the net pot and place it on an empty bucket and then directly add ph down into the nutrient water bucket. From my understand if I remove the roots from the nutrient water there is no problem adding ph down directly, right?

That is true but your plant is going to get too big to be moving around. I always had an access hole in my lids.

 

[jackiejack]

so I adjusted the ph to 5.7 and measured the ph after 9 hours and it has risen again to 6.4. Is this normal? I am using 5 gallon containers filled with 3.8 gallons (14 liters) of nutrient water. Maybe the Water volume is too low?