Comment

Comment by Leo White Bear on August 1, 2014 at 6:09pm

Jeff- I run a hybrid system and because I must break it down every fall (I live in Central Wisconsin and don't YET have my greenhouse built) I don't worry much about my water pH unless it rises around 7.8

  We have naturally acidic water and I use a quartzite which is neutral but add a few small pieces of natural limestone in the beds to raise the pH.  I am fortunate with this setup that if the pH rises too much, I remove a few pieces of limestone and it seems to balance out pretty well.

  My systems both run at a pH of 7.2 - 7.4.  I have little problem with nutrient block but I must add a bit of cheleted iron in the spring and early fall, when the plants are just starting to grow and just before harvest.

Comment by Rob Nash on August 1, 2014 at 5:51pm

Jeff, the pH can stay high as far as I know.. mine is around 7.8 this year and doing fine.. if you have a strong biology, your plants will get the iron and mag they need.

if you use Greensand or Actino iron, you shouldnt have any issues.

what media are you using?

Comment by Rob Nash on August 1, 2014 at 5:23pm

Comment by Rob Nash on August 1, 2014 at 5:20pm

Jeff, the orchard netting needs to be unrolled, then folded/rolled loosely and crammed into the bucket.. i used the whole 100 ft roll in a 30 gallon barrel.

Comment by Jeff S on August 1, 2014 at 2:44pm

I have a 4 hundred gallon system with 100s of fish that's been running for a year. The PH stays at 7.2 - 7.4. I know it's suppose to drop but I haven't been concerned about it. Should I be?

Comment by Jim Fisk on August 1, 2014 at 11:44am

Hi Jack, how long has your system been cycling? Generally systems start out going high but once they get established they go low. I used PH down during the first 6 mos to a year but once it naturally went low I started using ashes from the GH wood stove with great results and it is all natural.

We are also on an Artesian well with no pump and have great pressure at the faucets, etc. by running 1" for the cold and 3/4" for hot. I also use faucets and shower heads that are unrestricted for great pressure. Loving it and never a worry during power outages. Kitchen faucets with a sprayer are ng due to the internal restrictor but the new commercial style T&S faucets (69.00 delivered off Ebay and would be 300.00 at Lowes, etc. if they even had them) are unrestricted and work amazing.

Comment by Jack Dunbar on August 1, 2014 at 10:33am

I have been having issues with getting my PH down. I've been told that most nutrients get locked out above 7.2. I'm running in excess of 7.6 or higher most of the time . I live in the state of NH with artesian well water. It is very hard. I spent hours last night reading everything I could on lowering PH. I replenish my water in my FT with only a sediment filter. I see a lot of people use rain water or an RO system and I read about tannins in wood to lower PH. I'd like to try using oak leaves in a separate bucket of water but can someone explain to me how. Can I just pick fresh leaves and put them in with water? Do I dry them like tea leaves and bag them and let them steep? My fish are doing good but my plants are lacking. I've added PH down and I don't want to hurt the fish. Adding PH down as of last night has made no change. I would like to try oak leaves. I just cut a cord of oak wood. Can I take and cut it up into smaller cubes and soak that in water and get similar results? 

Comment by Jeff S on July 28, 2014 at 1:52pm

Rob, Orchard netting doesn't seem to be filterish. How dense do you put it in the barrels to create a filter effect?

Comment by Rob Nash on July 28, 2014 at 12:42pm

Comment by Jim Fisk on July 28, 2014 at 12:37pm

Hey Rob, perfect. I will plan for a final plate filter or polisher right before the DWC. Thank you as always!

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