Egg shells to lower PH?

[Bob Vento]

I read on the forum here, that using crushed egg shells in the water flow
can keep your PH level around 7ppm?

Is anyone doing this and how is it working for you?

Some people put them in the inflow into the grow bed and others hang
them in the outflow by placing them in a nylon pouch and letting the
water flow over the bag of crushed shells.

Can anyone clear up this process and let us know if it is a "green" way
of keeping the PH at acceptable levels?

Thanks,
Bob

Here is a link to a video I saw ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhUoSwbSnVg

[Keith Rowan]

you need lots of eggshells to affect your ph..

i mix eggshells with crushed shells (shell grit) because it's easier to get shell grit.. the eggshells have the added benefit of adding calcium to your system (good for tomatoes!) if you have enough shells/shellgrit, the ph will buffer somewhere around 7.2 to 7.4

[Bob Vento]

How do you introduce your shell into your system?

Keith Rowan said:

you need lots of eggshells to affect your ph..

i mix eggshells with crushed shells (shell grit) because it's easier to get shell grit.. the eggshells have the added benefit of adding calcium to your system (good for tomatoes!) if you have enough shells/shellgrit, the ph will buffer somewhere around 7.2 to 7.4

[RupertofOZ]

Shell grit... and egg shells... are both esentially calcium carbonate....

Your pH would buffer, and settle to the same values... with just shell grit alone...

[Jonathan Kadish NYC AA Chair]

That was my video. I just have them at the bottom of cups - the shells  are heavier than water and tend to stay there. Others have suggested putting them in a stocking or something that will hold them. I think the important thing is to place them in a place where the water is running/moving past the shells so you don't get zones where the PH is high.

[TCLynx]

Shells will Buffer ph UP!!!!!

Egg Shells will NOT lower pH!!!!

If you have high pH water or hard water, you don't need shells or buffer, you probably have too much.  You won't need the shells unless you are able to collect rain or use RO water for all your top ups for a while.

[RupertofOZ]

There's no reason for pH to have "zones".... once soluble... with the flood & drain action... the pH will be thoroughly mixed and distributed...

Jonathan Kadish said:

. I think the important thing is to place them in a place where the water is running/moving past the shells so you don't get zones where the PH is high.

[Bob Vento]

OK TC,

Relax ! Sorry to get you so upset. 

Don't worry I will not use egg shells for a PH solution.

Thanks,
Bob

TCLynx said:

Shells will Buffer ph UP!!!!!

Egg Shells will NOT lower pH!!!!

If you have high pH water or hard water, you don't need shells or buffer, you probably have too much.  You won't need the shells unless you are able to collect rain or use RO water for all your top ups for a while.

[TCLynx]

Not upset but I definitely want to make the point.  (seems many people get a bit confused here and start adding buffers like lime or shells when they are actually wanting to lower their pH and they simply compound their problems.)