Welcome to the forum @WeedGuru
If you want to grow good weed you will need a pH tester. You can muddle through most everything else but without the tester you will eventually have problems.
There are test strips which are cheaper but far less accurate for growing.
There are alternatives to pH up/down. However you can buy small containers of it and it lasts a long time. You literally just use a few drops in most cases.
You could use Lemon juice or citric acid or vinegar for down…(think acidic)
I believe Baking Soda for up
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