pH ions and the Hydromatic
pH ions and the Hydromatic |
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How tough is the Hydromatic?
This person is standing on a one year old unit. You may want not to do this on competitive products. 
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pH in The HydromaticA pH of 7.0 is neutral and is the pH of pure water. pH below 7 is acidic. pH above 7 is alkaline or, as I call it, 'sweet'. Most plants like slightly acidic water. Some like ''sweet'' water. Most nutrients are more available in acidic water than sweet water. But not all. Controlling the pH in your nutrient solution is a key to success. One way to go about controlling your pH is like this: In a 5 gallon bucket of water bring the pH to 6.0. This can be done with either phosphoric acid from a hydroponic store, or hydrochloric acid from a pool store. Hydrochloric is much cheaper. Be careful, these are acids and can burn. Pour off a half gallon at a time, then mix in the the fertilizer and fill the Hydromatic reservoir. The pH in a nutrient solution is usually a 5.8, which is great for most plants. The pH in the reservoir will rise over time. Especially in the sun and heat. When the pH gets too high, a half-pint of 6.0 water usually lowers the pH enough. These instructions and more come with your purchase of a Hydromatic. At first I started out with a liquid pH meter bought from a department store. Then moved up to test strips. Now I use an $80 hand held pen which gives a digital readout. 
pH meter pen in a Hydromatic It really pays to understand pH for a successful growing operation. Below are some pH recommendations for crops. Following the crop names are suggested fertilizer strengths: Low, Medium, and High. 7.0 -- NeutralArtichoke LowCabbage Medium Cauliflower Medium Leek Low Lettuce Low Peas Medium Pumpkin Medium Radish Low Spinach Medium 6.0 -- AcidicAsparagus LowBean High Beets High Broccoli High Eggplant Medium Garlic Low Lettuce Low Onions Medium Parsnip Low Peas Low Radish Low Spinach Medium Corn Low Tomato High Turnip Medium Zucchini Medium 5.5 -- Acidic Fertilizer LevelsCucumber MediumEndive Medium Potatoes Medium Pumpkin Medium |
Gallery Pictures of Hydromatics Growing Instructions Basic Hydromatic instructions Inground Hydropnics? Hydromatic: In the dirt PH Ions: Why is PH important? Pricing Prices and Ordering |
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