Water: storage and pH adjusting

[Aloner]

As a complete noob to all this (growing anything, really), I had some water-related questions. I'm growing in soil but I welcome any hydrofolks who want to chime in, too.

Also, I am aware that I'm probably over-thinking most of this.

First: containers. What should I keep my water in? I know it needs to sit for 24hrs so the chlorine can dissipate. But is it ok to use, for example, a 5-gal bucket from the hardware store or does it have to be food grade or glass or ... ?

Second: adjusting the pH. I tested my water and it's pretty alkaline, so I got some Earth Juice Down. No instructions on the bottle; can't find anything online, either. I know you just dump some in, stir it around and let it sit for a little while. But how much in how much water? Just keep putting it in a little at a time and test over and over until it's down around 6?

Just hoping to spare myself some trial and error, thanks!

[Zativa]

You need either a pH meter or test strips ($10-20 on Amazon) to determine the acidity as you add pH-down. As far as storage, most any container will work but try to find one which doesn't smell strongly of plasticizers. The more water surface you expose to air, the faster that chlorine will dissipate so large/shallow container beats a small/deep one. Even better, use a small submersible fountain pump ($10-ish from the crafting store or Amazon) to spray that water through the air where it can lose the Cl even faster.

My general advice is to treat your first grow as a learning experience. Keep it simple and basic, observe everything and keep good notes. You are cultivating weeds; they only need soil, water, and light. All of the fancy chemistries are extras which can definitely increase yield and quantity, but too much fussing and fiddling with plants can be counter-productive. They know how to grow, step back and let them do their thing.

[Aloner]

My plan has been from the start to keep this grow as simple as possible--outdoors in super soil. No need (hopefully) for added nutes. Initially I wasn't even going to test the pH but got a digital meter at the last minute and I guess I'm glad I did. Thanks for the insight!

[Newf]

I use the pH drops (Nebula has a great tutorial on how to use them on the GWE site) They are cheap, easy to use and do not need any calibration etc. The bottle of drops comes with a tiny vial that you fill about half way (about 2 tsp) with the water you want to test, and you then add 3 to 5 drops to it and shake. The color it turns corresponds to the pH. It is not as exact as a pen but quite good for what most of us do. One lesson I learned early using pH Down was that I only needed about 7 to 8 drops (not ml, tsp etc.) per gallon to get a pH of 5.5 to 6.0. Even less depending on the nutes I was using.
I keep my water in a 5 gal plastic container. Just remember to keep the lid off if you want the chlorine to dissipate. You will have to do some trial and error unfortunately. Also remember to add any nutrients first and then add enough pH Down to get it to the desired range. For instance Fox Farm's Grow Big hardly lowers the pH at all but Fox Farm's Tiger Bloom drops it quite a bit and ArmorSi (a silica additive) raises it like crazy. Good luck.

[Aloner]

Yeah, I kinda wish I had gone with the drops but the meter's been ok so far. I'm using super soil so no added nutes so at least that won't be an issue. Thanks for the feedback!

[POKEDSMOT]

I run a 5gal. DWC. Just started my weekly routine.

Went to the store and filled 6 1 gal. Containers. TDS 24 pH 7.5-8.0

I leave the tops off for 24 hr. And acclimate to room temperature.
ph 1 gal to 5.5 (to top off res) Mix nutes (tea) in 1 gal.

Res change day.
Add 4 gal of room temperature water and Hydroguard.
Run system for 1-2 hours.
Add tea.
Run for 1 hour and check pH (usually 5.0 or lower).
Adjust pH to 5.5.

[Aloner]

See, this is why I'm starting out growing in soil--I can't handle this much complication. But thanks, I'll make a note of this for if I make the switch to hydro.

[POKEDSMOT]

The tap water here is really hard 500-600 ppm. It's easier than it looks. Alot easier if you have a R/O. Upside I use very little now on keeping pH in range and know exactly what my ppms are and should be. Using GHtrio Calimagic and Hydroguard all at GH recommend strength my ppms is 1100.

[D.A.A.S.69]

Aloner, I am also using KindSoil and really like it ,my first grow indoors.I also use Earth Juice crystals real stong stuff, takes just a few crystals to lower your PH, like a little pinch is all it takes.Get some little measuring spoons an the smallest you get will be way to big, it's strong .I also tried drops,strips,but I really like the meter it just seems so much more accurate. But like you said don't make it to hard and you will do fine. PEACE Hal

[Aloner]

Excellent, thanks! This is exactly what I was looking for.

[007]

I use the General Hydroponics PH Down/Up drops. The Down is really, really strong, like 4 drops from a dropper puts a gallon of water from 8 to 6. I only have to use that when I'm not using nutes in the water. I usually have to use the Up in flower with Fox Farm nutes and GH CalMag. The veg nutes usually PH the water for me, along with GH CalMag. Make sure you PH the water every time you water, whether it's with or without nutes!

[007]

You bet The plants can only absorb nutrients in a particular PH range, so if the PH isn't correct you might as well not feed them at all because they'll never absorb them. Someone posted a really handy table showing which nutrients were absorbed at particular PH, has to be around here somewhere!

[POKEDSMOT]

http://www.growweedeasy.com/sites/growweedeasy.com/files/pH-nutrient-deficiency/soil-ph-chart-marijuana.jpg

http://www.growweedeasy.com/sites/growweedeasy.com/files/pH-nutrient-deficiency/hydroponics-ph-chart-marijuana.jpg

[Aloner]

Nice, thanks!

[oldjarhead100]

Aloner I use 5 gallon buckets to water with. I installed a water filter to remove chlorine but before I did that I would water then refill buckets with water and let them sit until I needed to water again real simple

[Aloner]

I like real simple, for sure. Thanks!

[MommaBear]

I do the 5 gal bucket fill and sit as well. Need to get a hose hooked up to my washing machine tho... lugging those pails of water downstairs is treacherous 😉

[PuravidaC]

I have to use a small humidifier during veg that requires distilled water so I have several gallon plastic jugs with tap water I leave with tops off for two or three days to get rid of chlorine. Seems to work okay for me. I have been told not to use PH up and down at the same time. If you use too much of one, dump water and try again until you get PH right. I am a big advocate of keeping it simple!!! Good luck!

[oldjarhead100]

I haven't heard that about ph up and down but what if you've already added nutes . I'm usually careful about how much I use but I have screwed up a time or two

[POKEDSMOT]

I read on the site that you shouldn't use both up and down. Since I no longer use tap water and started using Cali Magic I only have to use a couple of drops of pH up. Before I would have to use pH down through out the week.

[Aloner]

Again with simple. Just what I need! Thanks!

[D.A.A.S.69]

Your are gonna do fine Bro. Hal

[NA420]

BPA free plastic containers are all i use, lasts for years with no worries of chemical breakdown. I just don't trust the Lowe's buckets for water storage.

[Aloner]

Thanks, yeah... I was considering that. Might have to do some shopping.