Dyna-Gro vs Advanced Nutrients Connoisseur (AK47 Grow)

**homebrewer** · 05-05-2011, 09:20 AM

This showdown is going to be in the same manner as my Dyna-Gro vs General Hydroponics (Dumpster Grow) journal in that it won’t be a simultaneous grow-off, but rather a direct comparison of the base nutrient lines offered by DynaGro and Advanced Nutrients. I’ll be comparing things like pH stability, salt build up, plant performance, plant health, nutrient concentration levels, and of course final yield.

I chose Connoisseur because it’s probably the most expensive, over-hyped base nutrient on the market and as a veteran grower, I’m in a much better position to put out the truth about the actual performance of this product than some beginner who just doesn’t know any better. After 11 years in this hobby, I’ve settled into the no-frills DynaGro brand which offers total and complete plant nutrition and isn’t purposely split up into multiple products. I’m not starting this journal because I’m unhappy with my current nutrient brand, I just want to post some honest and bullshiz free info about AN’s most ‘prestigious’ base nutrient. Welcome to the no-hype zone

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The strain we’ll be working with is Serious seeds’ AK47, a strain I’ve grown many times before and am very familiar with. Using DynaGro, my yields for the past four grows have all been between 20 and 21.3 ounces (most recent harvest numbers are not in yet) so this shall be the benchmark for AN’s Connoisseur. In regards to the final product, I’ll also be looking for differences or similarities in potency, aroma and flavor, all of which will be 'tested' for in a blind comparison.

Now AN fanboys are probably among the most annoying members in this community and there will probably be a few following along. There will be no arguing, personal attacks, or just plain old newb-grower ignorance in this thread, just the facts as I post them throughout this comparison. Unwanted and unwarranted posts will be reported. Let the competition begin….

My setup is a DIY Ebb & Flow system with 6 inch rockwool cubes and a 600 watt HPS hortilux. I flood two to three times per day for 15 minutes with weekly res changes and a pH in the high 5's. These plants were vegged with DynaGro Grow and were also topped.

**bestbuds09** · 05-05-2011, 10:07 AM

Count me in.. I'm one of those that believe AN is overrated and overpriced...... I hate going to a hydro store where I'm @, they always try to sell me that bullshit. Anyhow I'm really interested in the ak47 yiull be growing. I've been looking for some good seeds from sensi. How good is sensis AK?

**homebrewer** · 05-05-2011, 10:21 AM

So this being day 1 of flowering, there isn’t much I can report on except for cost and concentration levels. If I have time, I'll get into the NPK ratios as well.

Nutrient concentration levels: This is one thing that is often overlooked by growers when factoring in the actual cost of a fertilizer. Take DynaGro for example; at near $50 per gallon, DynaGro doesn’t appear to be one of the most economical fertilizers on the market. One thing that the bottle wont tell you is just how concentrated the nutrient solution actually is. 1ml of DynaGro's grow and bloom into a gallon of water nets a final ppm (on the 442 scale or .7 conversion) of 220. 1 ml of Connoisseur A&B into a gallon of water nets a final ppm of 140 (on the 442 scale or .7 conversion), making DynaGro 157% more concentrated than Connoisseur. In other words, 2 gallons of DynaGro would last me about seven grow cycles whereas Connoisseur A&B would last just a touch over 5 grow cycles.

As much as I’d like to report that Connoisseur is highly diluted, their concentration levels seem to be about average based on other fertilizers that I own.

Cost: I don’t like the fact that with Connoisseur, one needs to buy both A & B to properly flower plants. I paid $75 for these 2 liters of base nutrients but the price comparisons below will be using the 1 gallon price of $85 per bottle ($170 for the pair). While each bottle of DynaGro grow and bloom are 100% complete and are excellent stand-alone fertilizers, I do use them together all the way though flower so in essence, I use it as a two-part as well.

Assuming I was only using base nutrients for this entire grow and assuming the same feeding levels and flowering period, DynaGro would cost $14.09 for the entire flowering cycle versus Connoisseur A&B which would cost $32.17. The $18 difference per flowering period could easily be negated should Connoisseur be the superior yielding fertilizer. We shall see.

**homebrewer** · 05-05-2011, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by bestbuds09

How good is sensis AK?

These AK47's are from Serious seeds and the quality of any given strain depends on personal preference, but as a whole, I really like this strain. I selected the most sativa-dominant phenotype in my pack of seeds because that's what I prefer. It yields really well, grows nice and bushy, smells great, has a flowering period just over 60 days, has a high that is more social and energetic and is fairly easy to trim, all these things make this a great strain to own. It's also very popular among my patients.

**bestbuds09** · 05-05-2011, 10:53 AM

I'm liking what I'm reading about sensis ak.... more than likely that's the one ill be purchasing..... thanks man..

**maphisto** · 05-05-2011, 12:49 PM

YO!! good stuff as always h/b.

**Encomium** · 05-05-2011, 02:31 PM

This is going to be an awesome show hb. I've already switched to DG nutes in large part due to your earlier journal. I love the simplicity and low maintenance that I've had using the DG line of nutes. The only thing I've added to the 3 main bottles is a FloraNectar from GH as I noticed that the DG line really didn't address sugar additives. At any rate, I'm along for the full ride this time

**maphisto** · 05-05-2011, 05:07 PM

so h/b we all know d/g has a complete nutrition what about Connoisseur how much nutrition between both bottles?

**mr.smileyface** · 05-05-2011, 05:33 PM

I would max connie out at 950. Even tho its not as concentrated, its potent.
How can you tell a differnce with seeds? Or am i wrong?
I think Part A is The same as there micro. Prettty much same thing just one cost 4 times as much. It looks the same tho. I stop using conn and just use GMB and b52 by advanced. I get the same results so why should i pay more? The GMB make my buds so sticky and smelly.
Btw connie isnt sappose to be used in early bud. Week4 is when most a+b are ran.
What do you think? Is connoisseur the same as micro? maybe more chelates? im subbed