Can't keep PH up...

[sherrie p cockram]

I cannot keep my PH level up . Every 3 or 4 days it goes back down to 5.0 and lower....My tap water tests out at 4.0...it's our area...How do you raise the PH and keep it there?sherrie

[Jessica Johnson]

I have been using Calcium Carbonate for years (since 2011) with no PH issues at all. I added it at startup and then again 2 months in. 6 months after that I put a little bucket full in each grow bed and trough (bucket has holes drilled in sides so the water can take what it needs without it being scattered all over). Works like a charm :) I use this method-

http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/527375/1c2f4e97f8/1451002247/306...

Hope this helps you,
Jess

[sherrie p cockram]

Jessica Johnson said:

I have been using Calcium Carbonate for years (since 2011) with no PH issues at all. I added it at startup and then again 2 months in. 6 months after that I put a little bucket full in each grow bed and trough (bucket has holes drilled in sides so the water can take what it needs without it being scattered all over). Works like a charm :) I use this method-   Thanks, I'll give it a try...

http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/527375/1c2f4e97f8/1451002247/306...

Hope this helps you,
Jess

[Jessica Johnson]

How is your pH doing?

[Steve R]

You need to raise your KH. Here is a great article all about it. http://theaquaponicsource.com/2014/02/02/the-carbonates-controversy...

You will need some of our aquabuffer to fix your PH issue. http://www.theaquaponicstore.com/AquaBuffer-pH-Stabilizing-Kit-1lb-...

[sherrie p cockram]

Jessica Johnson said: How is your PH going?

It is going better. I bought a rain barrel. My husband takes it to his job place and fills it from the well there and it tests out at 7.7 so it helps to buffer mine back up...So far so good!! Thank you!

[Terry Healy]

Check YouTube for Sylvia's recent few videos about Ph and buffering - good explanations.

Tap water at 4.0? Wow. You might want to buffer your drinking water too!

[sherrie p cockram]

Terry Healy said:

Check YouTube for Sylvia's recent few videos about Ph and buffering - good explanations.

Tap water at 4.0? Wow. You might want to buffer your drinking water too!Yes, we live on Lake Wylie in South Carolina. We all have wells. Everyones well water near the lake is 4.0. I don't understand it because I tested the lake water and it is a perfect 7.0 but to polluted to use in system! Thanks for the tips!

[Steve R]

ph of 4 sounds really low to me how heavily stocked is your system? How old / tempreture exposed is your ph test. what kind of ph test are you using?

[sherrie p cockram]

Steve R said:

ph of 4 sounds really low to me how heavily stocked is your system? How old / tempreture exposed is your ph test. what kind of ph test are you using?Our tap water is 4.0...that's where it comes from. I am keeping it buffered well now