luckman
(member)
4/18/01 08:33 AM
|
Filtration and ph
[Post#: 118230
]
|
|
|
I finally found the ph kit I was looking for, one that contains both a tester for solution and ph up/down bottles from General Hydroponics, cost about 20 bucks. Got interesing results.
I started this whole process watering only with Brita-filtered tap water. Everything seemed fine. When problems cropped up later like overfert, overwater etc I "by coincidence" started using an older Brita-filter bottle. All kinds of problems almost killed it. I now know the ph of Brita filter #1 water was 6.0 flat (fine), the 2nd filter bottle was 8.0 (same water!) and the straight tap was well above 9. I could have avoided all this if I had know the ph of the water on the front end. Dont know how many got the ph kits when they started, but I did not, and it was a mistake. I bet my plants get alot healtier now. Incidentally Arrowhead distilled was 6.0, so was Walgreens brand distilled.
I hadnt heard filtering water chnaged the ph so much, anyone know if this is some fluke or standard filtering effect?
LuckMan
|
Slick
(stranger
)
4/19/01 01:03 PM
|
Re: Filtration and ph
[Post#: 118804
/ re: 118230
]
|
|
|
I've tested water for all kinds of cities,companies,resevoirs,rivers,water plants,mines etc. This was my primary occupation for years. I would be very surprised if your tap waters pH is actually well over 9. Some of the other figures may be a bit misleading as well.
Old water filters can easily cause the pH to rise as the filter gets saturated and then releases what it has previously filterd in spurts as the water exits.
I have all kinds of pH measuring instruments and the cheaper ones always seem to vary quite a bit. Often they are very consistent but they are just off, sometimes by as much as "2 whole numbers".
I would definitely buy a quality pH meter.
The question I see asked on these forums frequently is which ones are good. I think you can get a good one for as little as $35 to $40. I would buy a digital one. I know Hanna makes some in this price range and I know many professionals who use these as thier quick out-in-field meters. There are other brands as well, try doing a search over the internet. If you still have trouble let me know.
I just hate the way some of these cheap meters mislead so many people and I would hate to see it effect your growing experience. Some people do get lucky a get a decent cheap meter, I have just seen such huge variances from identical meters.
Good luck!
|
SanFranGrower
(superposter)
4/19/01 01:16 PM
|
|
Re: Filtration and ph
[Post#: 118808
/ re: 118804
]
|
|
|
Slick it might be rare for tap water to be that high, but... here in the Bay Area my water tests 8.8 with a calibrated pH40 digital pen. The water in the tub tests 9.2 - 9.4 . I agree its likely uncommon but the bay area has terriblly alkaline water.
|
luckman
(enthusiast)
4/19/01 04:46 PM
|
|
Re: Filtration and ph
[Post#: 118892
/ re: 118804
]
|
|
|
After talking with local nurseries, I think the readings I got were right. They say the soil around here is very alkaline and so is the water. The Hill Country has soil in the 11-12 range and the tap water is anywhere from 9 to 12. Straight from the horses mouth, as it were. As for a digital meter, I'm seeing the plants responding with the changes I've made based on the results I got from the meter kit I have, so I dont really see a compelling reason to buy more resolution. I may eat these words, but thats ok I've aquired a taste. Thanks for the thoughts though, if I do get a digital meter it will be interesting to see any differences.
LuckMan
|
