Having issues dwc ph

[SkunkyMunky]

So ph in an oxygenated base is higher than in regular base. Which ph do you base your testing off of? I've had my pen read up near 7 and gh solution show up red(5-ish) in the same sample. Which should I go by? Has caused all kinds of issues and I haven't really found much info on it. How would I maintain the correct level if my readings are always from oxygenated nutes?

 

[SkunkyMunky]

I think I have it under control but I still believe this is pretty important info that I have found little about. If the ph of the nute water without being oxygenated is where I should base my measurement, just pull a sample and wait a couple hours?

 

[Farmall]

As long as your pen is accurately calibrated, I would use those readings. The drops are a convenient quick read but the pen is right on target. DWC ph issues show up quickly and you know why I know this. By as much as .7 units in the border area of high or low messed up my 3rd week and the lower leaves show it

 

[SkunkyMunky]

I hear you. Been working out a cal/mag deficiency due to it. But the question just occurred to me a bit ago.

 

[PrincessPuss]

So here is what I found and have been going by (https://www.growweedeasy.com/ph)

• Shaking Water Changes the pH: When checking and adjusting pH, some growers like to shake their water container to make sure everything is evenly mixed. This works well, and roots love the extra dissolved oxygen, but it’s important to understand that after shaking the nutrient water for a long time, the additional dissolved oxygen will raise the pH of the water. Don’t worry about this – don’t retest then readjust the pH. If you’re going to hand-water to your plant, you want to make sure you go by the pH of the water before it was shaken up. In hydro, the water is going to be oxygenated anyway, so shaking it before testing is ok. If water is allowed to sit for a while, it’s normal for the pH to change a bit. When it comes to mixing, make sure you mix water gently so nutrients and pH Up or Down are evenly distributed, but avoid vigorous shaking until after you’ve already adjusted the pH.

What I have taken from this is that you want to test the oxygenated (or shaken up solutions) pH. I am a novice but I have been testing the oxygenated nutes and correcting the pH to closer to 5.5 when I change the water and for the past two months have had no pH issues. Every day or two I check the pH just in case. What I read is to keep it between 5.5-6.5 for Hydro. It naturally raises as the days pass so I just make sure it doesn't go past 6.5 before the water change.

Also, I use a pen. I have the gh tester just in case the pen breaks.

Hope this helps.