It’s not the stips. This is what I got
. Or are you talking about the color stips on the bottle?
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My bad, I thought you were using the strips. I haven’t tried that stuff, but I’d say it has similar outcome. There can be a pretty big difference in half a ph point.
My thoughts were that since different nutrients get sucked up better than others at different pH then a little swing wouldn’t be so bad. I’ve read over at gwe that that little variance was ok. I just don’t really have the money to get a digital pH meter and everything else that goes with it
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And the liquid test stuff is pretty easy to read. Orange is 5 yellow is 6 so I figure, I need high 5s since in coco. I shot for heavy yellow, lite orange color
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You’re correct. But you want your swings to be calculated. For instance I amend my soil with dolomite lime which is ph neutral and acts as a buffer, and then intentionally water and feed a couple of tenths low. My runoff generally stays between where I put it in and target.
If you’re media is already trending to a low ph and you water and feed low, it’s not going to help at all. I’m guessing it’s pretty difficult to test runoff ph with that stuff?
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@dbrn32. No, not at all. Just like before I water. I add nutes and then pH to where it’s a more yellow, lite orange. I don’t have to measure every time. My nutes don’t effect my pH at all so I use the same amount of pg down every time. Then, when I get that first bit of run off , I just catch some in the test vial, add the indicator liquid and judge the color r. The color of my run off water is dang near clear even when I feed. And I don’t really have any swings between what goes on and what comes out
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I’ve never used straight coco, didn’t know that.
If you’re ph in and out is good and you’re feeding per schedule you should probably wait for one of the smarter guys to come. Not sure I can be of much assistance. What are you using for nutes that doesn’t change your ph any?
You need a digital pH meter… Trust me!
I get a good one (not best but good enough) from china 
for 16$ you can try fiind it
That drops are not so accurate in my opinion.
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I’m using the general hydroponics Flora trio. I used to check my pH every time I would change the amount of nutrients I was using but no matter how much of each I used my pH didn’t appear to swing. But, again, that is me judging by the color. So it could be a little different. Just not enough that I can see
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@M4ur. But what all do I need with it. Don’t I need storage sullution and other things like that?
Yes… I just got a storage solution (20ml for 2$ but I suggest you to grab a big bottle of that solution, is 10-12$).also you need ph buffer 7.0 or 4.0 to calibrate the meter… Everything will be around 20$ beside the meter.
PH is the vital component when you grow mj plants… So, if you want healthy plants you need those. Is just my opinion, againe 
Read this thread please
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I will have to get on that
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Ok, I haven’t used that stuff so I wouldn’t be able to tell you either way. Everything I’ve used will swing ph a decent amount.
Personally we think you may have a couple different conditions there. But I’d be guessing even with ph and tds info. Diagnosing plant issues is not my strong suit, especially ones I don’t deal with regularly.
It’s an isolated incident so not too concerned. But I do keep my eye on it though just in case. And plant seems to be fine (buds getting bigger daily) but you guys are right, I really should invest in a digital pH meter. You think a tds meter or ppm meter, whatever it’s called, you think that is mandatory also?
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Not mandatory, but sure can help you out. I rarely use mine, but it’s there if I need it.
Here’s an off the wall question, how much light do you feel is blocked by the reflectors from th leds that don’t have them?
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@dbrn32 I don’t think enough to where it out weighs the amount I’m getting with them on. I know lux doesn’t matter with LEDs. But, before I added the rest on today ( I had twenty of the 90 degree lenses on each before, just added ten to each unit of 45 degree lenses. So I have 50% of the diodes with extra lenses, the others are 120 degree) the lux at 21 inches was around 21000 with the ones I added today it was 35000. So I think the lenses aren’t really blocking the others
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Alright folks, I know I’ve been slackin past couple days so here’s a little catch up. I’ve watered once with plain pH water. I’ve watered once with just calmag pH water. Today I fed 4ml micro 1ml grow 4ml bloom and 1.5ml ginormous
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