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Why do I need to measure pH?

What is pH? | Why do I need to measure pH? | What do I use to measure pH? | What is conductivity? | Why do I need to measure conductivity? | What do I use to measure conductivity? | What is EC, what is CF, what is ppm, what is TDS, what is mS/cm and uS/cm? | What is a Bluelab Meter? | What is the Bluelab Truncheon� Meter? | What is the Bluelab pH Truncheon� Meter? | What is a Bluelab Monitor? | What are replaceable Contact Rings? | What are single and double junction pH probes? | What is a Bluelab Controller? | Why do we use Controllers? | Do any Bluelab products have data logging and PC comms links? | What are pH calibration solutions? | Which Calibration Solution do I use first when calibrating a Bluelab pH instrument? | Why do we need to clean the probes on Bluelab instruments? | What does IP65 mean? | My Truncheon Meter does not work! Why not? | My Truncheon Meter measures lower than expected! Why? | My Truncheon Meter measures higher than expected! Why? | Will low batteries cause my Truncheon to read inaccurately? | Can I use Alkaline Batteries in my Truncheon Meter? | My Truncheon Meter gives varying readings! Why? | Can I recalibrate my Truncheon Meter to my conductivity solution?

A. It is important to maintain a hydroponic nutrient solution at a pH where elements in the nutrient solution are available to the plants. Each element has a pH range in which its availability is maximised. The range in which most elements are available is between 6.0pH and 6.5pH, but some plants will survive in a range between 5.0pH and 7.5pH. Strong acid (low pH) or alkali (high pH) conditions will upset the balance of the nutrient solution and can cause the loss of nutrient uptake by the plants roots. This can cause "lock up" whereby certain elements become unavailable to the plant. See Nominal EC and pH Values for Hydroponic Crops.