pH Down contains phosphoric acid. If I add some to adjust my high pH tap water, does it add a significant amount of phosphorus to the water? From the site that I have read, an excess of phosphorus will cause a deficiency in zinc, and a deficiency in zinc causes the leaf margins to become wrinkled, along with chlorosis, in which I notice both of these symptoms in my pepper plants.
-
Do you need help identifying a 🌶?
Is your plant suffering from an unknown issue? 🤧
Then ask in Identification and Diagnosis.
water pH Down adding phosphorus to water?
- Thread starter shigshwa
- Start date
Are you using anything to dechlorimate your tap water? I've yet to test it or play around with it, but I've heard that Ascorbic Acid should do the trick. I'm guessing too that as it is an acid, it should help lower the pH also. Two birds with one stone! 
Before I jump the gun though, just trying to find more info on it to see if it will have any negative effects on plants....
Before I jump the gun though, just trying to find more info on it to see if it will have any negative effects on plants....
Are you using anything to dechlorimate your tap water? I've yet to test it or play around with it, but I've heard that Ascorbic Acid should do the trick. I'm guessing too that as it is an acid, it should help lower the pH also. Two birds with one stone!
Before I jump the gun though, just trying to find more info on it to see if it will have any negative effects on plants....
Nope, straight from the tap. The pH is 8.5, and I figured that this was from carbonate hardness.
I am testing the thoery Gassy. Vitamin C tablets don't dissolve too readily so i recommend crushing them.Are you using anything to dechlorimate your tap water? I've yet to test it or play around with it, but I've heard that Ascorbic Acid should do the trick. I'm guessing too that as it is an acid, it should help lower the pH also. Two birds with one stone!
Before I jump the gun though, just trying to find more info on it to see if it will have any negative effects on plants....
I used two tablets to about 15 litres of water, along with chilli focus at 750ppm. I will tell you if it has any adverse effects, they seem fine at the moment.
Did you happen to test the pH to see if it lowered any? Now that I think about it, I'm wondering if such a small amount would actually cause much of a change in pH at all.
Found this stuff at my local Chemist. Water-soluble pure form...
i am very intrigued as to your guys findings! 2 of my DWC plants were showing very light yellow new growth, and i use Mad farmers PH down to lower my PH i use about 2.5Ml/3 gallons and make small adjustments as needed so i will be following this to see if it has any effect!
Ascorbic acid is actually a pretty decent buffer for lowering pH, and its a common ingredient in hydroponic water treatment products. The primary downsides are the cost and stability. Ascorbic acid is going to be a lot more than inorganic acids, no matter what, and its perhaps a little *too* biocompatible for this application. Let us know how you get on with it.
Ascorbic acid is actually a pretty decent buffer for lowering pH, and its a common ingredient in hydroponic water treatment products. The primary downsides are the cost and stability. Ascorbic acid is going to be a lot more than inorganic acids, no matter what, and its perhaps a little *too* biocompatible for this application. Let us know how you get on with it.
At the risk of sounding simple, can I get you to elaborate on that?
(Bear with me, I did flunk science after all, but I'm ready to learn now...
)Sure thing: the ascorbate won't be lowering the pH of the solution very effectively if it's A) absorbed by the plants, or B) consumed by other means. Oxidation will lead to dehydroascorbate, which is a much weaker acid (pKa~8).
Flunker! I will test the ph on a new batch now and let you know the results Gassy. Sorry for the semi hijack.
Edit: Test subject- 10ltr water @ 22 celcius.
Add 400mg ascorbic acid + 680mg sodium ascorbate (equal to 600mg ascorbic acid. Crushed and dissolved in hot water.
Intitial ph-7.7
Final ph-7.2
So in conclusion it would take a LOT of vitamin c tablets to lower the ph by a point versus normal ph adjustor. (about .25ml for the same amount of water).I used two 500mg tabs. EC didn't appear to change on my truncheon either.
Edit: Test subject- 10ltr water @ 22 celcius.
Add 400mg ascorbic acid + 680mg sodium ascorbate (equal to 600mg ascorbic acid. Crushed and dissolved in hot water.
Intitial ph-7.7
Final ph-7.2
So in conclusion it would take a LOT of vitamin c tablets to lower the ph by a point versus normal ph adjustor. (about .25ml for the same amount of water).I used two 500mg tabs. EC didn't appear to change on my truncheon either.
Ah, gotcha.
Bummer. Was hoping it would at least lower it by a point.Flunker! I will test the ph on a new batch now and let you know the results Gassy. Sorry for the semi hijack.
Edit: Test subject- 10ltr water @ 22 celcius.
Add 400mg ascorbic acid + 680mg sodium ascorbate (equal to 600mg ascorbic acid. Crushed and dissolved in hot water.
Intitial ph-7.7
Final ph-7.2
So in conclusion it would take a LOT of vitamin c tablets to lower the ph by a point versus normal ph adjustor. (about .25ml for the same amount of water).I used two 500mg tabs. EC didn't appear to change on my truncheon either.
What would no change in EC indicate?
Don't do it!
Haha, nah, I've always used straight tap water. My water here is quite alkaline too--not sure of the exact reading but definitely higher than 7--and it's only been of late that I've been wondering how much of a difference pH adjusted water will make.
Everything else said in this thread aside, I'm still curious to see what the answer is to your original question... If I add some to adjust my high pH tap water, does it add a significant amount of phosphorus to the water?
Odd as I thought Ascorbic Acid was supposed to react with the Ammonia in Chloramine to form Ammonium Chloride (a salt)... or something along those lines. (tryin to sound smart here too but probably failing dismallyNo change in EC means no salts were added or metabolised in the process. (tryin to sound smart here)
)
That product is listed as Calcium Ascorbate and not Ascorbic Acid.Did you happen to test the pH to see if it lowered any? Now that I think about it, I'm wondering if such a small amount would actually cause much of a change in pH at all.
Found this stuff at my local Chemist. Water-soluble pure form...
http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v05n10.shtml
You've lost me, harry.... Melrose do both Ascorbic Acid and Calcium Ascorbate (and even Sodium Ascorbate).
Just double-checked my link and it seems to be pointing to the right one (Ascorbic Acid).
The description is contradictory:You've lost me, harry.... Melrose do both Ascorbic Acid and Calcium Ascorbate (and even Sodium Ascorbate).
Just double-checked my link and it seems to be pointing to the right one (Ascorbic Acid).
http://www.melrosehealth.com.au/health_products/General_Wellbeing/Melrose-Ascorbic-Acid.aspx
One way to find out is to see if it actually lowers the pH of water.
Hmm, indeed you are correct.
Surely it's a typo but will definitely check the packet before purchasing it.
Not to worry if it does contain Calcium Ascorbate though, I know the pure stuff exists... it's just a matter of tracking it down (health food stores, etc).