Set-Up:
3x3 grow tent, two GH waterfarms, Viparspectra PAR 600 LED, 4" filtered fan. Light on for 18/6, temps in the 77-81 range, relative humidity 41-57.
I'm 5 days in to my first grow. I've chosen a hydro set-up and ran into some problems. I think I've made correct diagnosis and performed the necessary fixes. I'll describe the problems along with the fixes then ask a question. I thank everyone in advance for replies!
When the seeds germinated I placed them in the hydro with >1/2 strength Advanced Nutrients. The water sat for 24 hours and the pH was in the 6.5 range. They were growing fine until the 5th day. On the 5th day the leaf tips turned yellow and curled. I immediately removed them from the solution and checked the pH. It was off the chart basic and there was massive build up (calcium?) on the drip ring, grow pot and on the stem itself. I tasted the build up and it was neutral. I expected a salty taste, and lack of salt leads me to believe it is calcium and perhaps other dissolved solids. I believe I made a mistake by putting nutrients in the reservoir. I dumped the water and used white distilled vinegar to wash, remove the scale, and rinse the reservoir. I filled it with water that sat for 24 hours, pHed it in the 6.5 range, did not use any nutrients and set the grow pot in the water. I hope the drip ring will act as a flush.
The issue of the pH going from the 6.5 range to extremely basic confuses me. I believed that once the water is properly pHed it was stable and the topping off with properly adjusted water and a reservoir change every two weeks were all that were necessary.
Question: if you have extremely basic water (to the point that there is massive build up of solids) will the pH will continually be basic as the solids build up?
My conclusion is "yes". If this is true, the pH will continually change to basic until all the total dissolved solids are removed. I'm on day two and have adjusted the water twice. Each time the pH changed from the 6.5 range to 7.0+. My fix is reverse osmosis water. I've order a filter. In the meantime, I adjust the water everyday.
Do you guys think I'm on the right track? (I attempted to load pics and insert them. A message box appeared that said I was not authorized to add attachments)
3x3 grow tent, two GH waterfarms, Viparspectra PAR 600 LED, 4" filtered fan. Light on for 18/6, temps in the 77-81 range, relative humidity 41-57.
I'm 5 days in to my first grow. I've chosen a hydro set-up and ran into some problems. I think I've made correct diagnosis and performed the necessary fixes. I'll describe the problems along with the fixes then ask a question. I thank everyone in advance for replies!
When the seeds germinated I placed them in the hydro with >1/2 strength Advanced Nutrients. The water sat for 24 hours and the pH was in the 6.5 range. They were growing fine until the 5th day. On the 5th day the leaf tips turned yellow and curled. I immediately removed them from the solution and checked the pH. It was off the chart basic and there was massive build up (calcium?) on the drip ring, grow pot and on the stem itself. I tasted the build up and it was neutral. I expected a salty taste, and lack of salt leads me to believe it is calcium and perhaps other dissolved solids. I believe I made a mistake by putting nutrients in the reservoir. I dumped the water and used white distilled vinegar to wash, remove the scale, and rinse the reservoir. I filled it with water that sat for 24 hours, pHed it in the 6.5 range, did not use any nutrients and set the grow pot in the water. I hope the drip ring will act as a flush.
The issue of the pH going from the 6.5 range to extremely basic confuses me. I believed that once the water is properly pHed it was stable and the topping off with properly adjusted water and a reservoir change every two weeks were all that were necessary.
Question: if you have extremely basic water (to the point that there is massive build up of solids) will the pH will continually be basic as the solids build up?
My conclusion is "yes". If this is true, the pH will continually change to basic until all the total dissolved solids are removed. I'm on day two and have adjusted the water twice. Each time the pH changed from the 6.5 range to 7.0+. My fix is reverse osmosis water. I've order a filter. In the meantime, I adjust the water everyday.
Do you guys think I'm on the right track? (I attempted to load pics and insert them. A message box appeared that said I was not authorized to add attachments)
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