pH Lower also called pH Down Ideally your hydroponic nutrient solution pH should be maintained at 6.0 at this point, a drift of half a pH point down to 5.5 or up to 6.5 is entirely acceptable. Generally pH levels will fluctuate, so maintaining the pH between 5.5 and 6.5 is fine. A short time outside of this range should not cause any real problems, always try to keep your pH within recommended levels as much as possible. When the pH is outside the recommended range the plant will not be able to take up certain vital nutrients and therefore the growth will slow and in severe cases the plant will starve. Note some types of plants require different pH levels to absorb the nutrients they require so a little bit of homework on your plants requirements maybe necessary. Why does the pH of my nutrient solution go UP? Assuming your system is set up correctly, this is normal and desirable in the vegetative period. It means that the plants are growing strongly, as they should be. If it occurs later than about four weeks into the bloom period it may mean that nitrogen levels are too high. Another cause of dramatic fluctuation of the pH is the reservoir being too small to cope with normal pH fluctuation. Why does the pH of my nutrient solution go DOWN? Assuming your system is set up correctly, this will often occur in the bloom phase as the plants take up nutrients in different ratios. Normally, the pH drop is not as large as the pH rise in the growth phase. If it does drop significantly it could be root diseases attacking your plants or an undersized reservoir. Always check your roots for disease What is a pH meter and do I need one? A pH meter is a small electronic device that is used to accurately measure the pH of a solution. It works by a glass probe detecting the tiny voltage produced when the hydrogen ion in solution makes contact with the glass probe. The more hydrogen in solution the more acidic the solution is. The meter will give a reading of a whole number followed by one or more decimals, 0.0-6.9 is acidic, 7.0 is neutral and 7.1 -14.0 is alkaline. It is very important to maintain the correct pH levels. Colour metric pH measuring kits are also available but are not as accurate. As all meters are inclined to drift, they become inaccurate over time, they need to be calibrated regularly. Directions for standard use Shake Bottle well before use Add 10mls to 1 Litre of water and mix well Slowly add this diluted solution to your reservoir allowing for proper mixing in your reservoir tank Test frequently until your desired pH is reached Repeat the above steps if required to reach your target pH range Larger reservoirs will require larger amounts to lower the pH levels so please take your reservoir volume into account when mixing a stock lowering solution Safety tips Use protective gloves and eye protection as this product can cause burns Always handle with care and keep out of the reach of children Do not swallow and avoid direct skin contact If swallowed do not induce vomiting, drink a large volume of water and contact a medical professional ASAP If skin contact occurs wash skin immediately with fresh water If eye contact occurs hold eye open and flush with fresh water for 5-10 minutes then contact a medical professional ASAP Active ingredients 380grams per Litre Nitric Acid UN2031 Classified 8 Corrosive Dangerous Good
