I dont even balance the water. It is about 5.0ph when i first fill the bottles up with the filtered water. It raises itself to about 6 after a day of sitting. I grew some buleberry that was no supposed to test above 16% THC last year. It tested at 23% on both plants. It is incredibly simple… and octo pots makes it even easier… I posted a link in the thread below of my grow journal with pics and data. I wont use anything because I simply do not want to be a soil chemist . 1.5pounds off 3 plants every time. Don’t see the need to change anything.