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| SECTION 3 - HARDENING OFF | ||
| HOW TO MEASURE AND CORRECT THE PH LEVEL | ||
| This is a very brief description of how to measure and correct the pH level, the most important aspect of a hydroponic nutrient solution. The pH level indicates how acidic or alkaline the nutrient solution is. The scale runs from 1 (highly acidic) to 14 (highly alkaline), with neutral (pure water) being pH 7. The pH of the solution will effect how easy it is for the plant to take up nutrients. When grown conventionally, different plants prefer soil with specific pH levels. However in a hydroponic system, most plants perform best at a pH level around pH 6, in a range of pH 5.5 to pH 7.5. Outside of this range a plant will have difficulty feeding effectively. MEASURING THE PH LEVEL Measuring the pH level is easy and can be done using either an electronic pH meter (which gives a digital reading) or a simple inexpensive liquid pH test kit. USING A LIQUID PH TEST KIT Different test kits operate slightly differently so always follow the manufacturers instructions. However they all work on the following principle: | ||
 Take a measured sample (usually just a one or two mls) of the water/nutrient solution. | ||
 Add a measured amount (usually just one or two drops) of pH re-agent. | ||
 The sample will then change colour (somewhere betweenorange and blue), by comparing this to a sample card or test strip the pH level can be judged. | ||
| CORRECTING THE PH LEVEL. If the pH is not at the desired level of pH 6 then it will need to be corrected. This is done with the use of ‘pH solutions’ (page 35), which are used to either raise or lower the p1-I level as necessary. ‘PH up’ solution is used to raise the level and ‘pH down’ solution is used to lower it, You will only usually need to use a few drops or mis per litre (depending on the pH level of the water). | ||
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