Is hard water acidic or alkaline?

[Jerry Delaney]

Is it possible we are comparing apples and oranges here? Al says his WELL water is hard and acid. I imagine that most of us are on CITY water. Nearly all municipal water companies will adjust the pH of the water to be alkaline. This is done to help prevent corrosion to distribution pipes I think.

[Learner]

Hard water is has lots of mineral content dominated by calcium and calcium ions. Because of this, it usually, but not always, has a pH higher than 7 (neutral). I think it would be easier to collect rain water and avoid trying to manipulate the pH with vinegar or other acids.

[snow]

i think he was joking ross.

[gixrj18]

If you go somewhere that has pool or gardening supplies, you can get a little "shaker" kit for like $5. Then you can find out for sure....you just put the water in a little bottle, drip in the solution, and match the color it turns to the chart on the bottle. Although, I will say that is well worth the $20 to go on ebay, and buy a digital PH meter.

[Noe]

I tested my growing media, it is fairly basic (pH 8 at least). I am thinking of adding a tablespoon of apple cider or white palm vinegar per gallon of water every watering to make it more acidic. Has anyone done this? Can I do this also with my S/H plants? Or would fertilizing them suffice? Please share any experience in this area.

[Ross]

You'ld be better off getting chemicals from a spa company meant to adjust the pH.

[Dorothy]

Noe - try it with fertilizer .. I'd love to know the results

[gixrj18]

Usually, the fertilizers will bring it down in the sixes.

[Noe]

Thanks guys. I'll start with a fertilizer solution (I am using the MSU Liquid Fertilizer for Well Water that I got from First Rays) and measure the pH. If the pH does not go down to less that 7, I will add droplets of apple cider vinegar to bring it to the desired level. I also got a quart of "pH Down" from a local hydroponic store. It combines phosphoric, nitric and sulfuric acids. I will try it too on another plant and see what happens.

[Noe]

The MSU liquid fertilizer for well water is also used for tap water.