Lowering PH

[headhigh]

Hey guys 'n gals,

 

What is a good way to reduce the PH of the solution in your reservoir?

 

I have been adding vinegar (~ 1/4 tea spoon per 2 litres) but this seems to dissipate rather quickly (2 - 3 days) maybe the plastic is absorbing it...?

 

I've read that citric acid does the job, but i've only been able to find it in powder form for baking; do you think this will harm my plants?

 

Or should i just purchase a ph stabilizer from a hydro shop?

 

cheers

[Innocent criminal]

Yes I would just buy a bottle of pH up and be done with it.

The best acids to use for pH up are Nitric acid for veg and Phosphoric acid for bloom, however it's easier to just buy a pre made solution from a hydro shop.

[headhigh]

Yea, i also read about Nitric acid, but it's not really something i want to buy online as this is used to make explosives.

 

Don't want the coppers rocking up querying "national security" and find my precious'

[bananaman]

go down to your local BIG W and in the pets section (around all the fish tank stuff) u can get PH up and PH down for about 7 dollars Edited March 15, 2011 by bananaman

[Chronic User]

Dont use vinegar, citric acid etc as they arent for hydro, dont buy ph up/down for fishtanks buy HYDROPONIC use ph up/down or you will have problems. Goodluck..

[STONEDAJ69]

nitric acid wont bring the piggies down - besides you can mix it yourself at home with the right crap...

 

And when really well made/strong/something along those lines, it will eat straight through metal

[Ex.]

you can get 500ml bottles of ph up and down (hydro formulated) for $10 a bottle at bunnings, along with canna nutes and other hydro gear too.

bunnings being open 14 hours a day most days is a good place to grab this stuff.

these bottles will last for ages as you only need a few drops.

Edited March 16, 2011 by Ex.

[headhigh]

alright so some results;

 

Lemon Juice - Changes PH slightly - is absorbed (as little additives as possible)

Vinegar - change PH slightly - is dissolved after a few hours

Sulphuric Acid - changes PH quite a lot, however had issues maintaining a PH

Ph Down - 1ml per 50L works a treat

 

This was all tested in a spare 30L reservoir - however i'm still having issues maintaining the correct PH, i need to add PH down 2 times a day - I'm thinking of bringing a reverse osmosis system into the mix, as my tap water with a PH of 8.3 and 500ppm is pretty dodgy.

Edited March 26, 2011 by headhigh

[smokinjoe]

pH down sold in the hydro shops is generally Phosphoric acid. Mine sells it as a gel from a 20ltr drum which is diluted with water at home. Sodium bicarbonate is usually sold as pH up.