General hydroponics ph up

[Going2fast]

I was given a new bottle of this when my friend was clearing out his closet. Have never used the stuff. My question is will this be bad for living soil? Specifically my little earthworm and microbe buddies. Figured I could use it when I'm too lazy to walk down to the creek but not if it will kill my critters.

 

[dilvish]

It goes in the water/nutrient mixture...not in the soil directly. It works great but a word of caution unless you know it was properly stored in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight (or grow light) it may be no good. This stuff will last several years if properly stored but if not it could screw up your PH

 

[crucialbunny]

Here's the Safety data sheet on it. https://www.saratogaorganics.com/wp..._Nutrients_pH_Up_North_America_2017_11_03.pdf

 

[Going2fast]

Yes I know how to use it. That wasn't the question. Thanks crucialbunny but that's not it. This says potassium carbonate. Unopened bottle.

 

[Going2fast]

Just did a test and it only took 10 mil for a gallon to go from 5.5 to 6.5. just don't want to use it if it kills my worries.

 

[bdeegan]

I have been reading lot on this subject and found all kinds of conflicting info. What I have concluded is if going for organic or living soil look else where (idea being they self correct anyway, right?). If using chem nutes and it is used in small amounts it doesn’t pose much of a threat to the little buddies. Potential salt build ups and the soil becoming dependent on it are some other negatives.

I wish I had a little more concrete info for you but I felt like it took a lot of ph up to get my 5.7 well water to acceptable range for soil growing. Recently I’ve been mixing it with higher ph store bought water and using the ph up to fine tune only.

edit: I forgot to mention that when I started mixing well/store water and therefor using less ph up my soil ph seemed to be more stable in between waterings (less dependent?)

 

[crucialbunny]

The way I see it is that if you can't get it on your skin, eyes, or in your lungs, well, I don't particularly care to have it near my plants.

 

[Rwise]

I use liquid potash for PH up, the plants can use it need it for roots and flowers. It was for hydro, claimed organic (who really knows).
If the living soil is buffered correctly PH is not a worry, but.

Potassium carbonate (K[SUB]2[/SUB]CO[SUB]3[/SUB]) is a water-soluble inorganic compound that is primarily derived from potash. It is industrially prepared by reacting potassium hydroxide and carbon dioxide. The solution crystallizes to form potash hydrate, which can further be heated above 200°C to produce the anhydrous salt.

Potassium carbonate is the inorganic compound with the formula K₂CO₃. It is a white salt, which is soluble in water. It is deliquescent, often appearing as a damp or wet solid. Potassium carbonate is mainly used in the production of soap and glass.

 

[Going2fast]

Thank you Rwise . I was hoping someone was doing soil had used it. Looks to chemically for me. I will regift it to one of my hydro or coco friends and stick with creek water.

 

[Rwise]

My rain water runs 7.1 as does the spring, and I use it as is, the well is acidic.
Going2fast I have to wonder if this is why I am allergic to commercial bar soap, the shit gives me migraines. I went to old time lie soap, head feels better.

 

[UndergroundFarmer]

That stuff is best left to hydro. In flower, the plants take up available potassium from the pH Up and force you to use more of it to raise the pH again.