Bluelab Ask, “What is pH and Why is Measuring It So Important?”
Announcement posted by Bluelab 27 Apr 2018
Bluelab explain, pH is the measurement of acidity and its opposite, alkalinity in a solution. Neutral pH is 7.0 pH. Acidity measures below seven pH (7.0pH) with alkalinity measuring above it (7.0pH).
As Bluelab say, it is important to maintain a hydroponic nutrient solution at a pH level where the elements in the nutrient solution are consistently available to the plant. If the solution is too acidic or too alkaline it can cause “lock up” – a situation which restricts certain elements essential for growth from being absorbed by the root structure.
Deficiencies in the required elements become apparent in the plants’ growth and can lead to crop failure. Additionally the pH of the water we drink is crucial to our health, the pH of a swimming pool is important, not only for our skin and eyes, but also for the efficiencies of sanitizers and pool equipment. Again the pH of the water a fish lives and breeds in is critical to its existence as certain species require a particular pH to survive.
The elements we add to a solution will either increase or decrease the solutions pH measurement. Only accurate measurement of the pH level will allow complete control of the outcome. You can master pH with Bluelab. When the pH is slightly acidic most nutrient elements are available to a plant. Individual crops have their own preference for pH values. That is, they do best at certain pH levels. Whatever food solution you use, keep your pH in a fairly tight band, as consistent balance gives consistent growth. It’s not just the nutrient mix... it’s the right pH that delivers the food.
Accurate pH readings in solutions with a ppm (500 Scale) of less than 250ppm [0.5 EC] can be challenging to obtain, and require the pH probe to be extremely well maintained and in excellent condition. For this reason Bluelab recommend that for general applications the ppm of the solution being measured should be greater than 250ppm (500 scale). If pH measurements in solutions of less than 250ppm are required then Bluelab recommend that guild lines for measuring pH in low ionic strength solutions be followed.
When you can test something easily and accurately, you can manage it. Specifically, you can get the most from water-based plant growing systems, so for more information on pH testers, pH water testers and gazebo NZ please go to