To maximize plant growth, the pH content of your nutrients should be slightly acidic. Experienced growers consider the ideal pH for most crops to fall between 5.5 and 6.5. Users of General Hydroponics nutrient products generally do not experience problems maintaining the proper pH range because our formulas are pH buffered. However, some important exceptions do exist. Acid content can reach unacceptable levels when nutrient solutions are mixed with poor quality water, or pH unstable media - such as rock wool and gravel products - are used, and when high plant growth rates destabilize the nutrient mix due to rapid nutrient absorption by the crop.