Hello I am happy to be getting back in to growing after taking a bunch of years off.. I got some general hydroponics PH test liquid for rough ph testing brand new in the bottle. Here's whats going on: I filled my 5 gallon bucket with tap water from my well. I added a few drops of PH down solution and re tested using the general hydroponics PH test liquid, PH seemed completely unchanged.. I added a few drops more. again completely unchanged (according to the colour of the water in the test liquid). I then added 3 milliliters of ph down and the PH dropped slightly. I had to add 15ml to the water to get it to indicate it was down within the 5.8-6.5 range. I thought this was a LOT of PH down liquid but I am not sure. Is this too much PH down? Do i have bad test fluid? I tested the water again this morning and it has sprang back up to 8.5... I dont want to add another 15ml of PH down.. any insight in to whats going on would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Dan
I've been using the drops for decades and never had a problem. I'm not sure, but your pH down might be bad or very weak.........what brand is it?
Ahh you know what, I think you're right. It's PH down by "dave ocean" in the description it says: FAST AND EASY TO USE Simply Test pH in Water. Then add 10 To 20 Drops Per Gallon Of Water To Lower or Raise Your pH 0.5 to 1.5 Points. Then Adjust With pH Up If pH Drops Too Low. pH Up We Carry the Same Strength Values. Scroll Down The Page To Follow Directions Step by Step or See Video. 20 drops per gallon to raise or lower 0.5 to 1.5 points! that is indeed weak! The PH down i used back in the day was a house brand from a hydroponics shop here, it was very strong.. I got a drop of it on my kitchen counter and it started burning away at the laminate coating.. That stuff was a drop or 2 per gallon max. I also like the test liquid because as much as the probe is probably more accurate.. I never trusted myself to calibrate it properly or something.. The test liquid always just gave me a pretty fool proof rough estimate I could rely on. Normal for the PH to jump right back up the next day? Should I just toss this PH down and grab a different brand? Also my tap water is very hard @ 325ppm I have calcium on my dishes and shower. That could also be why its hard to adjust. Thank you!