PH Down ??

[jamromhem]

I have been testing sulphuric acid (battery acid I baught at the auto store) for about 2 weeks now. My seedlings are taking off while using it and the nutrient solution I am using for them is PH stable and clean while sitting stagnant in a spray bottle.

I haven't had any problems with my sulfuric acid from the battery acid. Just remember to get clean fresh acid and not used from a battery lol... That being said there are some other sources. Some "professional" strength clog drainers are actually a strong acid in a bottle.. I have seen some in ace hardware and similar places and they tend to be in a bottle wrapped in a plastic bag. I would do some research on the brand that is available to you if you choose this route. they tend to be less clean than battery acid depending on the company that makes them.

[T'Mater]

The reason i got to looking it up, is mainly i dont have a hydroponic store locally and my order of PH Down appears to be running late (haven't gotten an email back as to why) and i'm about down to my last couple of scoops of PH Down.

So i just got to looking mainly as a bandaid till i get my shipment.

[jamromhem]

That is a similar reason I was looking at it. The only hydroponics around here is the virtigrow office and they have very little as far as the accesories.

The package of battery acid will make me about 2 1/2 to 3 gallons of PH down and with only using about 10ML for 4 gallons of tap water (this will drop as I up my nutrient strength) it will last me a long time. Not to mention it is the same cost as a thing of PH down anyway lol

It is also the route I went because it doesnt react with the other choices I made for the system. I wanted to use bleach as my sterilizer due to the low cost and high availability of it. I was going through a lot of H2O2 trying to fight that infection and having owned a pool I am more confident in my ability to manage chlorine levels.

[T'Mater]

Just learned that White Vinegar seem's to do a pretty decent job at being a PH Down.

Again just looking for a bandaid till i get my bag of PH Down here.

[GpsFrontier]

In a pinch I've also herd of people using lemon juice too. But I have no idea how well it works, or if it react with the mineral elements in the nutrient solution.

[fintuckyfarms]

I used White Vinegar when my PH down was backordered. It will work for about a day, but it jumps right back up then next day. I have not tried lemon juice but would think you would get the same result.

[T'Mater]

Not sure about you all, but it seem's i have to lower my PH every morning. By the end of the day my ph will go from around 5.8 to over 6.5. I also feed about every 2 hr's and i'm thinking of switching that down to every 4hr's.

[GpsFrontier]

If you can find something called "Sour salt" at the grocery store, it's nothing more than citrus acid. Thus the same stuff used in some hydroponic pH adjusters (like the one I use). Or if you have a restaurant supply place, health food store, food specialty shop etc. they may carry citrus acid also, and even at a much better price.

P.S.
If you are adjusting your pH every day (regardless of watering cycles), something is wrong.