I'm new to posting on this site, but I've been using it as a educational resource for a few years now. Knowing that many new growers come here for advice before they commit to the expense of starting their gardens, I wanted to put in my two cents on Advanced Nutrients new line. After all, apart from electricity, nutrients are the most expensive part of an established grow...
Over twenty years ago, I began running a home made recirculating hydro system using rockwool as my medium. I've made a few changes over the years, but I am most assuredly an,"if it ain't broke, don't fix it!" kind of guy. I began by using DynaGro products. Liquid Bloom for my bud cycle. Back in the late 90's there really wasn't anything else available, and was I happy for years...Then in late 2009, a friend talked me into trying Advanced Nutes Sensi A-B, and I was very impressed. The difference in weight was phenomenal! Quality was never an issue, but the increase in the size of my buds had me smiling from ear to ear. I became an unofficial spokesman for their company. I raved about how I loved their line, and how easy it was to use.
Fast forward 3 years...
I went to my local grow shop and they happened to be having a vendor exposition. A representative from Advanced was there, and he gave me a pretty good deal on a couple of 10 liter bottles of their new Ph Perfect Sensi. I also bought gallon jugs of Bud Candy, Bud Lightining, Rhino, Big Bud and a liter of Bud Factor X. It was quite an investment, but I knew return would be great. I ran three complete crops before using up all of that crap. From the beginning of my first bud cycle with the new formula, my plants were showing minor signs of stress. These signs increased, and varied throughout the cycle until harvest. The crop was still acceptable, but i was most definitely not smiling. I spent the entire cycle trying to iron out the issues. After tuning it in for two more crops, I still wasn't happy.
I was willing to spend enough money on suppliments, that I was able to make this new line work, but it isn't easy. Adjusting the Ph is easy. Troubleshooting nutrient problems is not. Another huge issue is the slimy-goo that builds up in my lines. Whatever they have buffering the ph must be causing this. I had to start running my pump 24 hours a day because every time it shut off, one or more lines would plug with a clear mucus-like snot, and that can be catastrophic! The salt build up has increased in comparison to what I saw with the old line as well. The additional build up is not from using too much nutrient. I actually ended up using the new line at a lower ppm than I used for their old, good stuff...
Now it's time for a change. I'm not sure what to use. I've heard good things about Canna, I think I'll give them a try. They don't sell a hundred different additives, so I like that..
Is Advanced Nutrients really good at making a quality product, or are they just really-really good at marketing?
Over twenty years ago, I began running a home made recirculating hydro system using rockwool as my medium. I've made a few changes over the years, but I am most assuredly an,"if it ain't broke, don't fix it!" kind of guy. I began by using DynaGro products. Liquid Bloom for my bud cycle. Back in the late 90's there really wasn't anything else available, and was I happy for years...Then in late 2009, a friend talked me into trying Advanced Nutes Sensi A-B, and I was very impressed. The difference in weight was phenomenal! Quality was never an issue, but the increase in the size of my buds had me smiling from ear to ear. I became an unofficial spokesman for their company. I raved about how I loved their line, and how easy it was to use.
Fast forward 3 years...
I went to my local grow shop and they happened to be having a vendor exposition. A representative from Advanced was there, and he gave me a pretty good deal on a couple of 10 liter bottles of their new Ph Perfect Sensi. I also bought gallon jugs of Bud Candy, Bud Lightining, Rhino, Big Bud and a liter of Bud Factor X. It was quite an investment, but I knew return would be great. I ran three complete crops before using up all of that crap. From the beginning of my first bud cycle with the new formula, my plants were showing minor signs of stress. These signs increased, and varied throughout the cycle until harvest. The crop was still acceptable, but i was most definitely not smiling. I spent the entire cycle trying to iron out the issues. After tuning it in for two more crops, I still wasn't happy.
I was willing to spend enough money on suppliments, that I was able to make this new line work, but it isn't easy. Adjusting the Ph is easy. Troubleshooting nutrient problems is not. Another huge issue is the slimy-goo that builds up in my lines. Whatever they have buffering the ph must be causing this. I had to start running my pump 24 hours a day because every time it shut off, one or more lines would plug with a clear mucus-like snot, and that can be catastrophic! The salt build up has increased in comparison to what I saw with the old line as well. The additional build up is not from using too much nutrient. I actually ended up using the new line at a lower ppm than I used for their old, good stuff...
Now it's time for a change. I'm not sure what to use. I've heard good things about Canna, I think I'll give them a try. They don't sell a hundred different additives, so I like that..
Is Advanced Nutrients really good at making a quality product, or are they just really-really good at marketing?
Check out the products that work for you, and then make your choice there.
