# Problems raising pH level **URL:** \ **Category:** Grow Cycle\ **Tags:** indoor-grow\ **Created:** [November 10, 2025, 8:27pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/problems-raising-ph-level/120948 "2025-11-10T20:27:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 29
**Author:** ![Olaf.ILGM](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/growingmarijuana/user_avatar/ilgmforum.com/olaf.ilgm/32/1147333_2.png) [@Olaf.ILGM](https://ilgmforum.com/u/Olaf.ILGM)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2026, 9:58pm UTC](https://ilgmforum.com/t/problems-raising-ph-level/120948/29 "2026-03-18T21:58:59Z")
I just did a bit of a deep dive: my tapwater is mostly likely on the alkaline side, so that already balances out my soil. I also mixed in 50/50 commercial outdoor soil with the acidic plant soil, so that increases the balance too. I added non-perlite but clean kitty litter - apparently that stuff is closer to diatomaceous earth (?). Seems like my issue is uneven root saturation because of consistent bottom-watering. And I need to up the N a bit. (Dialed back to soon on N, and wanted to precharge with lots of P & K during the flip) I got a dingy recipe of Pokon regular plant food (for the N boost), Pokon kelp-based plant food for the micros, and ILGM Flowertime for the extra P. Will top-water for more even saturation across the rootball. Expecting a little more lush green after (they looked so good in veg 🥲). Still very curious if Dolomitic Lime really is the only really effective pH-up. I like the DIYs; but lemon juice, vinegar and baking soda do feel like crude instruments (with fleeting efficacy, if anything) --- _[View the full topic](https://ilgmforum.com/t/problems-raising-ph-level/120948)._