@Countryboyjvd1971, woohoo is right brother! I plan on using this miracle grow seed starter mix, seems to be designed for new plantings. All the info I read on ffof was NOT to use on seedlings because it was to hot? I have no reference point as I have never done this, getting excited to start though. Let me know if you think there is an issue w/ the miracle grow product?
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No ive used the mg products and if it’s a seed starter soil there should be no problem with using it the other mg soil just doesn’t have right amount of nutes for Mj so I think your fine to start and then transfer to ffof
@Countryboyjvd1971, thx for your reply, I think it’s gonna be ok as well, just thought I would throw it out there in case you or someone else had used it before or new something about this product
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Like I said I’ve used there products in a pinch in fact I have a couple seedlings in reg mg soil right now had some that I used for my wife’s fruit trees and decided to use it up hahaha and they are growing fine right now I’m transplanting to ffof in a few days
@Countryboyjvd1971, I may be over thinking it! Good luck w/ your grow
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@Countryboyjvd1971, may be stupid questions but here it is:
1: Is general hydroponic ph up and down ok for soil use?
2: do you test and adjust ph AFTER the nutes have been added to water? I was reading some other threads and folks were saying not to use ph up and down as it cause nutrient lockout? Any thoughts appreciated
- Yes
- Yes, you add nutrients to water, THEN pH the water/nutrient mixture. And you’re good to go! But you’ll need to check daily when growing hydroponically. Keep the pH as close to 5.8 as you can, but anywhere between 5.6-6.0 is acceptable.
And when growing hydroponically I give nutrients once roots are established, or once I transplant. They love nutes after being transplanted into DWC.
@ktreez420, thx …I’m doing soil grow… There are people who are saying, not here at ILGM, that ph up and down is BS and the soil will buffer the ph if you have good soil? So it was confusing my newbie gray matter as I haven’t read that anywhere else…appreciate info
You’ll always read contradicting info, that’s just human nature lol. But trust me, pH up and pH down is definitely NOT bs! I use it religiously, and it shows results immediately when using it. Unless you’re a pro, your soil won’t just buffer itself, trust me on that. Even pros need pH up and down. There are other ways to bump pH up or down though, like Epsom salts, or lemon juice. Regardless how you do it, or what you use to do it, you’ll need something to change the pH at some point in your grow.
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@Zombo i’ve also heard from many people Foxfarm ocean soil is too hot for seat I personally disagree 100% because I’ve been using it for years and never once had any issues if I had an issue it was a human issue not a soil issue. And I agree with @ktreez420 PH up pH down and a pH meter should be one of the very first things on your list you need soil to grow to grow a healthy plant you need a pH meter
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Ph up and down imo is the best way to adjust ph
It won’t cause lock out incorrectly ph water will lock it out
Your sweet spot for soil is 6.5 but anything between 6.3-6.8 is ok
And @ktreez420 answered your questions lol
Yes and yes always adjust after adding nutes
And when plain watering must ph also
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@Hogmaster, got it thx
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@Countryboyjvd1971, great, just putting all the info together in my head.
Can I use any calibration liquid for my etekcity meter? May be another stupid question but there it is…the meter came with calibrating powder which I mixed in distilled water
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They sell calibration fluid on Amazon I believe it’s 7 ph just do a search you’ll find it if you have a tds meter get some for that as well
It’s inexpensive so a must have
And there is no stupid questions except for those that go unasked lol 
Perfect link @TxGrowman thanks I need to figure out how to do that hahaha I’m not tech savvy
That’s good to know @Hogmaster I have a few I started in ffof because I’ve heard all the negatives also but have watch a few videos and read a few things that proved otherwise and I using it for the first time I have two that have been in it now four week from seed and they are fine so far
Just happened to be open to that page. Here’s a good one.
@Countryboyjvd1971, @TxGrowman, thx folks, I saw a 1 pack of that, one is 7 and one is like 4. Do I need both for ph tester? Also what kind of tds solution is best? The meters I bought are etekcity
My meter does calibrations at 4,6.86 and 9 I think so the 7 has no value for me. You need to know what calibration options your pen has
As far as tds fluid you’ll need to check mfg recommendations on that mine came with fluid So I just replaced it with same
And my ph is factory calibrated no calibration I just replace bulb when it goes out of wack but I paid a good amount for mine
Most pens come with instructions or you can contact the manufacturer for what fluid you need. Mine had a setting for 10.0 also. Has something to do with water sanitation.
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@Fever, @TxGrowman, @Countryboyjvd1971…, thx for info folks, my ph pen came with powder which was 4 and 6.86, I will probably stay with that, as fas as my tds meter, gonna get with etekcity and see what they suggest., appreciate responses
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