PH drops drastically everyday, any help?

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janie

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I have 2 hydro systems and in the past two months they have started to drop from 6.3 where I keep them to around 5.4 every day. This started in the last month of the last run and now its still happening a month into the new crop. The PH of my tap water is 7 and ppm is stable around 1800. A lot of problems with the grow this cycle and bad yield last cycle. It seems like they are suffering from some nutrient defencies, but I thought that mainly happened when the ph was too high. Im losing A LOT of leaves, they are turning white, and the plants are looking very droopy, not all of them but several. Does anyone have any ideas on what could make the PH act this way and what I can do to fix it? Also any insite on the condition of the leaves? I would really appreciate any help or advice I could get on this!!
Thanks!
 
Aeroflo systems. Sorry for not including that in the first post.
 
janie said:
Aeroflo systems. Sorry for not including that in the first post.

I mean what method of Hydroponics? Deep water culture, ebb and flow, Nutrient flow technique?

I've attached a photo of one of their systems. It looks like a modified NFT system with spray jets at each port. Is this what you have?

Does it have sprayers at each grow hole?

Are you using hydroton for your media?

What Nutes are you using and what type of mix?

Is your water chlorinated?

Can ANY light get to your nutrient water?

AEROFLO_SYSTEM.jpg
 
yes that is similar to the ebb and flow systems that I have.
Sprayers at each grow hole
Using Hydroton
FLORANOVA BLOOM for the nutes, 17 gallon reservoirs keeping the ppm at about 1850 at this stage.
I dont know if the water is chlorinated, I am on a community well and up until two months ago I have never had this problem. Ive always used the same nutes and process so I cant think of anything to change to make this stop. The only time light gets to the nutrient water is when Im checking the PH and PPM during their light cycle, which again I have always done this. Should I take a water sample somewhere and see if there is anything off with the water? Tap ph is right at 7.0 and PPM is 100.
 
In my drip system with hydroton, I flush out the system and give it only water till the next rez. change if I see this happening.
Even when PPM are stable there can be a build up of a element that the plant it not using as much of, 1800 PPM is very rich. Flora Nova boom lists 1350 max.

Not 100% sure this is your trouble, how often do you do a rez. change?
And do you you ever flush out the hydroton?
 
janie said:
yes that is similar to the ebb and flow systems that I have.
Sprayers at each grow hole
Using Hydroton
FLORANOVA BLOOM for the nutes, 17 gallon reservoirs keeping the ppm at about 1850 at this stage.
I don't know if the water is chlorinated, I am on a community well and up until two months ago I have never had this problem. Ive always used the same nutes and process so I cant think of anything to change to make this stop. The only time light gets to the nutrient water is when I'm checking the PH and PPM during their light cycle, which again I have always done this. Should I take a water sample somewhere and see if there is anything off with the water? Tap pH is right at 7.0 and PPM is 100.

Hey janie, so you're not a boy named Sue? hehe

What I was trying to determine with all the questions is if you were doing anything yourself that might be causing the pH fluctuations.

I don't see anything, so that leaves exactly what the other person said. Something has become so strong in your system that it's altering the pH.

I would advise you to flush your system out with fresh, no nutrient water and then fill it with only water for 3 days.

Take pH readings every 10 hours if you can and see if it's climbing again.

After you do this, let us know what happens.

If that stops the pH climb, then we'll look at how you mix and add your nutrients. If you're mixing them right in the reservoir, that's a no-no.

You should always mix them separately in a two gallon sized opaque container and then add to the reservoir after that.

Let's see what a 3 day flush of your system does.

If you're on a shared well, I seriously doubt that anyone has put chlorine in it unless they were doing a decontamination on it and they should contact everyone when that is done.

Good luck janie. We'll figure this out.

Hey, an ebb and flow doesn't use sprayers unless it's modified to do so. Do you use sprayers with your ebb and flow? The ebb and flow fills from the bottom up and overflows into a drain line. Usually, there is no other delivery system for the water. The one in the picture I attached is a Modified NFT system.

Dr. Howard Resh has a book named "Hydroponic Food Production". It's considered the "Bible" of Hydro. I would strongly suggest that you buy one and read it. It's worth it's weight in gold.
 
ooop shiit lol sorry, correction "she", either i was to stoned to read all of it or i missed that part :p
 
hey janie, welcome to MP. and i would listen to stoney_bud, hes a hydro grower too. and im sure i heard him say hes using flora nutes in the '3 old fogeys WW grow' so if any1 can help its this guy :D
 
DankCloset said:
ooop shiit lol sorry, correction "she", either i was to stoned to read all of it or i missed that part :p

Man, just be careful you don't do that on "date" night.

Oops, sorry man, I thought you were a chick....hehe

Ewwwwwww
 
Just wanted to thank everyone for their feedback on this issue! Sorry Ive been MIA, I work nights and this has been my work days, theres only time to sleep and check on the ladies then back to the job. Be back in a few days!
 
Hi my ph is at 7.0 i am trying to shoot for 6.5 and it it is 2 weeks into seedling and thers healthy leaves , i bought ph up and down , i am gonna use the ph down , but what is the raito to mix with water or the best way , THanks , hopefully my leaves will turn green 1 plant is yellow on leaves , yellow is what sighn dead , or recorvery, thanks again
 

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