m0useanswered grow question a month ago Fuck, had a nice answer typed out and the page refreshed and killed it all.
In short, test your solutions and ph probe.
Testing ph probe by using vinegar as ph down in a glass of tap water. Use a few drops in 250ml or 1cup and measure the PH drop as you continue adding drops of it into the solution while stirring.
Make notes,
Do this again with your PH down phosphoric acid. Depending on the concentration of your PH down it should drop quite raptly. The stuff I have is 80% and I only need a few drops to alter 1Gal or 3.7L of water. If you need more it means its not as concentrated or its not fresh anymore.
Neutralize the solutions with some baking soda before pouring them down the drain.
If both solutions of tap water with either vinegar or phosphoric acid seem off, its likely your PH pen needs to be replaced or calibrated. Pens should be calibrated before any grow and around every 3-4 months. I find its best to let them sit in storage solution KCl for 24hrs before calibrating if they have not been used in a while. Sometimes you need to use a toothbrush and soapy water to clean the probe tip if its got buildup on it.
Its always good to have some PH strips as backup. Can find them in hydro stores or pool section of big box stores. The good ones have 2 or 3 indicators to help resolve the PH.
I have a feeling your PH down solution's is just ageing and loosing its strength. Or your pen is ageing and loosing its ability to monitor PH. Do the above and find out.
Also RO water should have a PPM of 0-25. distilled is 0-10ppm. Might be time for a filter change? Low TDS waters like RO and distilled are bad for PH probes. Best not to let them touch it till after all nutrients are mixed in and it has some stuff dissolved into the mix.
Good Luck!