Looking for a diagnosis

[Bigpapa]

I may have already identified my issue. But a second, third or even a fourth opinion would be welcome. Please take a look at the pic below. This has cropped up since my last water change that was done on Saturday. My self diagnosis is that this is from PH fluctuation. For the first 5 weeks my PH had been at the high end of the normal range, never above 6.5. However, this time I used PH Down to lower the level to 6.0. Unfortunately, the water where I live is very hard so I had to use about 25ml of PH Down to get there. Please let me know if you agree with my diagnosis.

[kingfish]

I think you pretty much nailed it. Looks like PH. I also see a little nute burn on the leaf tips. I think they will be fine once the PH levels off.

[Weasel]

25 ml of ph down is extreme. What ppm is your water?

[Bigpapa]

I had to draw the line somewhere. So I don't have a ppm tester. I'm probably going to change out the water again today and not concern myself with a PH of 6.3 - 6.5. My plants have been tolerating that level for 6 weeks now.

[Bigpapa]

Oh yea, I almost forgot.

Thanks for the quick responses.

[Karlee]

Hi Bigpapa

25 ml's is over 5 teaspoons? this for ph down is OMG what are you drinking (water wise) Has to be a mistake what are you testing with? My drinking water is 6.5 ph, a gallon of water I'll start with 6 drops and measure that I use these for the drops.

[Weasel]

Yeah your water ppm must be extremely high, or some issue with your ph down or your ph tester. I use less than 5 ml of ph down to shift a full strength five gallon bucket of nutrient mix.

[Bigpapa]

I have some work to do today.

#1 Change out my nutrient mix.

#2 Calibrate my PH tester.

I couldn't believe how little effect the PH Down was having. I measure all my additives in a graduated beaker and move from bottle to beaker using a pipett. I know not to mix nutrients. I add everything to my water one at a time and wait about an hour to retest PH. I'm using General Hydroponics nuts, HydroGuard and PH Down. I would think that staying with one product line would be beneficial. Up to this point it had been.

Thanks GWE community. You all rock.

[dontknownuttin]

WOW! I USE MUCH LESS OF THE ph STUFF, BUT THEN I USE DISTILLED WATER. I figure my PPM is low wana bet? P. S. Green taught me everything I know, And I still know very little.

[9fingerleafs]

Stop using that water and get five gallon bottled water. Or use the water you drink

[9fingerleafs]

With such high ppm on the water the EC must be super high and the plant is stunned and in lockdown.

[Bigpapa]

That is tap water. My plants have been thriving for the last 6 weeks on that same water. The only change I made was the addition of PH Down. The PH has never been over 6.5. I was simply trying to get it to exactly 6.0. Won't do that again. Will do a water change this afternoon.

[Karlee]

You're on it now Bigpapa, I always have the vial to test if my meter reading freaks me out. Just recently my meter was going out and everyday was going lower on my normal chart. Just remember that it never ever jumps around like that you get a base line and it's always about the same for me ( unless you add stuff? but never a jump like you saw

[Flockshot]

Calibrate your PH meter. my 2c

[9fingerleafs]

Without a ppm or CE measurement telling you otherwise I'm pretty sure you saturated the plant. Maybe it took 6 weeks to get to ge point where it became a visible issue

[Bigpapa]

So for future reference, what is the best water to use. I hear that some of the minerals in tap water are beneficial.

[Karlee]

Big I use my drinking water and make the ph 6 , you don't have to get fancy to get big yields.

[9fingerleafs]

Yes but you are talking astronomical amounts so it's gonna be harmful either way. Maybe it got sodium or chloramine or worse. Would be better in you case to use drinking water. good natural water full of minerals mixes well with low ppm water to raise EC to an acceptable level and probably won't have to use calmag. But its better to avoid it so you know what you are giving to the plants

[William and Sue Ashley]

My testing water looks like is over 10....sorry need to buy a meter....They were sold out so I am doing the drop thing.....LOL...

[Karlee]

that yellow you want is a funny color not green and not red in it.....practice makes perfect!