pH Question

[Glizzy2x]

Hey y’all, quick question. I just tested my tap water with both a ph meter & liquid ph test indicator. The meter is giving around 6.7-6.8. The test indicator is giving me yellow-yellowish-green (5.5-6.5) which the chart that came with it is saying that range is ideal for plant growth. I’m a bit iffy on the ph meter because I’m not sure if I calibrated it correctly so it might be off a bit (first time calibrating). Which source should I trust? Should I still ph my water?

Also both seeds are fully germinated & I’m about to plant them into their final pot. Just wanted to get the pH down before I did that.

 

[JAB]

Hey y’all, quick question. I just tested my tap water with both a ph meter & liquid ph test indicator. The meter is giving around 6.7-6.8. The test indicator is giving me yellow-yellowish-green (5.5-6.5) which the chart that came with it is saying that range is ideal for plant growth. I’m a bit iffy on the ph meter because I’m not sure if I calibrated it correctly so it might be off a bit (first time calibrating). Which source should I trust? Should I still ph my water?

Also both seeds are fully germinated & I’m about to plant them into their final pot. Just wanted to get the pH down before I did that.

If you are testing your water with your PH meter but dont know if its correct then PHing water will do you no good as you have to measure it with the same PH tester. Lol i suggest you calibrate your PH meter and get it working correctly then test your plain water. If its in good range then no need to add PH up or down as its already PHed to the correct level. The strips dont give you an exact measurement so i wont recommend them. I used the strips while i was waiting on my ph meter but i would just calibrate your meter so you dont have to play guessing games.

 

[nizmoKush]

You need to get some calibration fluid so you can set your ph meter correctly. Right now it’s all guess work

 

[Glizzy2x]

If you are testing your water with your PH meter but dont know if its correct then PHing water will do you no good as you have to measure it with the same PH tester. Lol i suggest you calibrate your PH meter and get it working correctly then test your plain water. If its in good range then no need to add PH up or down as its already PHed to the correct level. The strips dont give you an exact measurement so i wont recommend them. I used the strips while i was waiting on my ph meter but i would just calibrate your meter so you dont have to play guessing games.

Well I just ran an experiment with both the liquid pH tester (not the strips) & the ph Meter. I’d say the calibration on the meter coincides with it. Anything more than 2 small drops of pH down & the liquid tester turns orangish/red as soon as it hits the water. I tested that same batch of water with the meter and it ph’d around 5.3.

Got a new batch of fresh tap water with 1 small drop of ph Down, added the liquid pH tester & it turned a lighter color of yellow than the water in the vial pictured above. Tested that same batch of water with the meter and it ran around 6.25. Both batches were tested in a 32 fl oz sprayer which I plan on using to water for the next week.

So I believe both testers are giving me the same results. Tbh I was a bit shocked that my tap water was around 6.8, so I figured it couldn’t be right. But from these results I believe it is correct. I’m guessing I’ll just run with the one drop of ph down for right now, just to be thorough. Thanks for you help!

 

[MIAutomatic]

You are right to be checking PH, but that is usually the least of your concerns from a municipal water supply. You need to know what the EC/PPM/TDS of your water is and what the composition of those solids are.

Municipal water is almost always between 6-8 PH and is easy to adjust. Knowing what is in your water is even more important than correct PH ranges and having a good PH range but high EC is not uncommon with municipal water supplies.

Getting your hands on a copy of your local water report should be easy, your town or county should have it available online. Anything up to .6 EC or 300 ppm is considered a pretty good range. If it’s higher than that you should take steps to reduce the EC to an appropriate range (0.2-0.6 EC).

good luck!

 

[JAB]

Well I just ran an experiment with both the liquid pH tester (not the strips) & the ph Meter. I’d say the calibration on the meter coincides with it. Anything more than 2 small drops of pH down & the liquid tester turns orangish/red as soon as it hits the water. I tested that same batch of water with the meter and it ph’d around 5.3.

Got a new batch of fresh tap water with 1 small drop of ph Down, added the liquid pH tester & it turned a lighter color of yellow than the water in the vial pictured above. Tested that same batch of water with the meter and it ran around 6.25. Both batches were tested in a 32 fl oz sprayer which I plan on using to water for the next week.

So I believe both testers are giving me the same results. Tbh I was a bit shocked that my tap water was around 6.8, so I figured it couldn’t be right. But from these results I believe it is correct. I’m guessing I’ll just run with the one drop of ph down for right now, just to be thorough. Thanks for you help!

Yea your lucky with a 6.8 ph out of tap. Lol my well water runs 7.4. I PH my water to 6.5 when im running in soil. Just make sure you grab some calibration fluid and storage solution because i have that same tester and it will go out of calibration after a few uses.

 

[Death The Cultivator]

Hey y’all, quick question. I just tested my tap water with both a ph meter & liquid ph test indicator. The meter is giving around 6.7-6.8. The test indicator is giving me yellow-yellowish-green (5.5-6.5) which the chart that came with it is saying that range is ideal for plant growth. I’m a bit iffy on the ph meter because I’m not sure if I calibrated it correctly so it might be off a bit (first time calibrating). Which source should I trust? Should I still ph my water?

Also both seeds are fully germinated & I’m about to plant them into their final pot. Just wanted to get the pH down before I did that.View attachment 1493198

I agree with @MIAutomatic but would also add that getting QUALITY meters means a world of difference. Growing involves a lot of accuracy to create and maintain consistency, cheap meters can ruin a grow. I can suggest several brands but imo, if the meter is sub $30 and comes from a random vendor in China - I'll pass

 

[nizmoKush]

Apera ph meter is a good meter and good price too

 

[Glizzy2x]

You need to get some calibration fluid so you can set your ph meter correctly. Right now it’s all guess work

Yeah I plan on getting more. It was my first time calibrating.

You are right to be checking PH, but that is usually the least of your concerns from a municipal water supply. You need to know what the EC/PPM/TDS of your water is and what the composition of those solids are.

Municipal water is almost always between 6-8 PH and is easy to adjust. Knowing what is in your water is even more important than correct PH ranges and having a good PH range but high EC is not uncommon with municipal water supplies.

Getting your hands on a copy of your local water report should be easy, your town or county should have it available online. Anything up to .6 EC or 300 ppm is considered a pretty good range. If it’s higher than that you should take steps to reduce the EC to an appropriate range (0.2-0.6 EC).

good luck!

Appreciate the advice, will definitely be looking into that!

 

[Glizzy2x]

Yea your lucky with a 6.8 ph out of tap. Lol my well water runs 7.4. I PH my water to 6.5 when im running in soil. Just make sure you grab some calibration fluid and storage solution because i have that same tester and it will go out of calibration after a few uses.

Yeah I said the same lol thanks for the insight, I plan to grab both!