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Vinegar for pH down

J

Jsao32

New member
Good day friendly farmers!!!

I know I'm going to open up a bucket of worms on this one, but if like to advice.and thoughts from everyone...long time growers preferred. I'm running my hydroponics total volume is about 21 gallons and need to lower my pH. Not a lot...its about 6.5 or so. I've read a bit and looked into it, and have heard vinegar or cider vinegar works great and is a better alternative to GH or advanced nutrients. I love both companies and their products, but am thinking vinegar is a cheaper alternative...so...thoughts and opinions? Thanks eberyone
 
Rather than add a straight acid to lower your PH I would add a fertilizer that give the plant some food as well as lowers the PH. something like Super Phosphate. But that is more related to pasture experience than weed. so listen to others with more grow experience than me. Good Luck
 
I dont run hydro, but apple cider vinegar has good things in it. Lemons (limes also) would be good to use and the V-C kills chlorine and chloramine instantly! OR one could get ascorbic acid crystals and use that. OR vitamin C tablets, all kill the shit they put in our water.
 
I use apple cider vinegar with every watering. I'm growing in soil as well. I have well water with a ph of 8-9. I use a 1/2 tsp per gallon for every point I need it lowered. Seems to work.
 
I use pure lemon juice, primarily during flower. One of the smart people here (Rwise?) mentioned the agricultural PH down contains buffers that help protect the plants. This is my one concession to modifying Nebula Haze's nutrition for Coco-coir/perlite medium. I have noticed zero ill effects, over 4+ grows...but must admit, I don't detect any discernable flavor to my harvests.
 
It adds sodium, which can create issues.
I use potassium carbonate(90g/liter water) for my ph up solution and phosphoric acid for ph down.
 
Vinegar is only a short term adjustment. Proper pH down has buffers that help to stabilize the adjustment to last longer.

Let me share some advice...don’t be cheap. Nutes for hydro and additives like pH down are part of the costs of growing and need to be seen as an investment into your final product. For the few extra dollars to buy a bottle of proper pH down will save you time and money over 16 weeks. It’s a purpose designed product that is designed specifically for one purpose...to safely lower the pH of water in a manner that is safe for plants.

Why screw around with vinegar and have unknown/unpredictable results?
 
It was more as an just in case emergency last resort if I ever ran out. Great advice though, it's always appreciated :big-smile:
 
The owner of nature’s living soil told me he’s even used original coke, LOL. I went with Earth Juice.
 
I have been using GH ph down but have Earth Juice ph down due in tomorrow. Any thoughts between these products? My tap water is awesome but comes in at 8.
 
Well I guess the next next I'll use a pinot noir and a malbec to control my PH eh..!

On a serious note, I use general hydroponics for my PH balance.
 
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Ah Malbec my fav. Malbec was originally used to “enhance” lesser quality wine to give it better balance. It was virtually unknown in the states until fairly recently (yes a few decades is considered recent in wine growing terms). I got Malbec juice imported one year to make wine (which hooked me) and shortly after the wine grape growers started planting it.
 
Tell me if I'm wrong. You know that I'm french well French-Canadian hey lollll I find the Pinot Noir from Oregon better than the one de la Bourgogne in France. Believe me I know my wine lollll
 
I did not, lol. Yeah OR Pinot Noir is really kicking but in the world scene. Every grape variety will one day find its perfect microclimate I figure.
 
I've found that phosphoric acid in GH ph down does a great job.
It's quite concentrated, sp a little goes a long way.
For ph up, GH used to sell it in powdered form, but it's only in liquid now.
I just use 90g of potassium carbonate in a liter bottle mixed with water.
 
I know a grower that uses coke on his plants as a foliar feed, his buds taste of burnt sugar, and are heavy with it which many mistake for trics!
 
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