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Red Lava Rock & pH Test

Added washed red lava rock to grow bed this afternoon. Also ran first pH test of the water. Looks to be in the 8 range. Will monitor this week to see if adding the lava changes the level.

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Comment by Bill Moore on November 7, 2011 at 3:03pm: Here is grow bed with Hydroton pebbles. Bottom layer is red lava rock. Had to adjust water flow rate to get auto siphon working properly.

Comment by Bill Moore on November 7, 2011 at 3:00pm

Comment by Bill Moore on November 7, 2011 at 2:51pm: Tested water in the fish tank before water in grow bed had chance to circulate with lava rock in it. Added 2.5 bags (50L) Hydroton just now. Had to adjust water flow a bit, but system now cycling properly again Will test pH in a another couple days.

Comment by TCLynx on November 7, 2011 at 12:20pm: Hard to know if the rock affected you pH if you didn't test the water's pH before adding the rock.

Hard water is really common so starting with a pH of 8 is not uncommon. Once the system cycles up the pH should come down but it might be worth airing some tap water out for a day and then testing your source water's pH just to know what you are starting with.