ppm Confusion

platypusmann

platypusmann

Well-Known Member
I have not had a ppm meter for some time and have been feeding based on AN's nute calculator and my plants needs. I just changed my res for week 2 of flowering and 3 days in from that change I am seeing nute burn. So, fine I'll flush and lessen nutes. But, I got a ppm pen today, and my ppm is only 778. I calibrated my meter right before test. So.....WTF....flowering day 19 and 778 ppm is too much feed??? I wish I hadn't even gotten the ppm meter!!! I have diluted res to 550 ppm, pH 5.8, and flushed each plant with Clearex......so we will see if I burn again. Just curious, in all this long windedness, if anyone else has plants this old feeding so lightly.
Thanks!:peace::joint:
 
SilverRabbit

SilverRabbit

New Member
I don't think people in here really pay attention to that kind of stuff. To answer your question I would have to ask what kind of nutrients you are using? It sounds like a synthetic problem. That crap happened to me.. so I use organic.
 
TetraHyC

TetraHyC

Well-Known Member
Oh , yea, I go light sometimes. What were your ppms of your flush solution (output) ??

How long since the last time you flushed??

What kind of media are you using?
 
platypusmann

platypusmann

Well-Known Member
SilverRabbit said:
I don't think people in here really pay attention to that kind of stuff. .
Click to expand...
Wow....I really believed all hydro growers watched TDS. Huh.

Anyway...I am using AN 3 part (micro, grow, bloom) as well as their big bud, bloom booster and carbo load. I am growing in rockwool. I flushed yesterday and the run off ppm was 843....res ppm was 778. I have nute burn on many leaf tips as well as some on the leaf sides. I have read many mnay boards on ppm, and it seems I should be over 1000.....but I guess my plants like weak. Wish someone who did pay attention to this stuff would help a brother out. Are there any serious growers out there who may have some aid for me??
 
gohydro

gohydro

Well-Known Member
Let me shed some light on PPM and dosages. It is my opinion that NOBODY can tell you what you should be running. Many factors determine what is and what is not too high. For example I have 2 types of systems; 1 aeroponic/DWC and one drip system. I can run 1000-1200ppm in the drip systems with no problem but if I go over 600 in my aero systems I get nute burn. Simply put...one seems to be more efficient than the other. Those of us who DO take our hydro seriously check our PPM's daily. If you do that you'll soon figure out the optimum strength for your system. If you measure your solution strength today and it's 700, then you measure it tomorrow and it's 780 the plants are using MORE water than nutrients and you should dilute the solution. If the PPM has dropped the plants are using more nutrients than water and you can go higher on the next mix. Keep in mind that you need to maintain around 5.8ph in order for the plants to absorb the nutrients. If your PH is out of whack then your PPM readings aren't worth a damn as far as what CAN be absorbed and what IS being absorbed.

Hope this helps.
 
platypusmann

platypusmann

Well-Known Member
gohydro said:
Let me shed some light on PPM and dosages. It is my opinion that NOBODY can tell you what you should be running. Many factors determine what is and what is not too high. For example I have 2 types of systems; 1 aeroponic/DWC and one drip system. I can run 1000-1200ppm in the drip systems with no problem but if I go over 600 in my aero systems I get nute burn. Simply put...one seems to be more efficient than the other. Those of us who DO take our hydro seriously check our PPM's daily. If you do that you'll soon figure out the optimum strength for your system. If you measure your solution strength today and it's 700, then you measure it tomorrow and it's 780 the plants are using MORE water than nutrients and you should dilute the solution. If the PPM has dropped the plants are using more nutrients than water and you can go higher on the next mix. Keep in mind that you need to maintain around 5.8ph in order for the plants to absorb the nutrients. If your PH is out of whack then your PPM readings aren't worth a damn as far as what CAN be absorbed and what IS being absorbed.

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
YES!!!! EXACTLY what I was looking for......and I really did believe that some people were as serious as I hope to be....glad I was right.
I am using flood & drain and the I am keeping my pH at 5.8....so uptake is good. Thanks much and rep to you! This is my first grow, but I am a very throoughy and precise person, so want to do this right....just hadn't had extra cash to buy a new TDS meter until yesterday. Thanks again!!!
 
gohydro

gohydro

Well-Known Member
BD97 old recipe has always worked well for me as far as ratios go. I mix as suggested and adjust with water to get the PPM I'm trying to achieve.

Veg

Week-----1-----2

Grow-----3-----6

Bloom----3-----2

Micro----3-----4

Bloom

Week-----1-----2-----3-----4-----5-----6-----7

Grow-----3-----3-----2-----2-----2-----2-----2

Bloom----6-----6-----6-----6-----6-----6-----6

Micro----3-----3-----4-----4-----4-----2-----2

Week 8&9 are a R.O water flush with NO nutes.

Ml per Gallon
 
Knally

Knally

Well-Known Member
gohydro said:
BD97 old recipe has always worked well for me as far as ratios go. I mix as suggested and adjust with water to get the PPM I'm trying to achieve.

Veg

Week-----1-----2

Grow-----3-----6

Bloom----3-----2

Micro----3-----4

Bloom

Week-----1-----2-----3-----4-----5-----6-----7

Grow-----3-----3-----2-----2-----2-----2-----2

Bloom----6-----6-----6-----6-----6-----6-----6

Micro----3-----3-----4-----4-----4-----2-----2

Week 8&9 are a R.O water flush with NO nutes.

Ml per Gallon
Click to expand...
He's using AN; the formula above looks the same as the GH 3-part Flora series. Are most 3-part nutrient formulas pretty similar?
 
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gohydro

gohydro

Well-Known Member
Knally said:
He's using AN; the formula above looks the same as the GH 3-part Flora series. Are most 3-part nutrient formulas pretty similar?
Click to expand...
I've spoken with the guy at AN and he says their 3 part is identical to GH 3 part.
 
platypusmann

platypusmann

Well-Known Member
Here are pics of troubles on one lady.....and her overall self. I call her Wilma. Yes, I am using AN 3 part....plus big bud, bloom booster, and carbo load......I use the ratios per the calculator on their site for light feeding. This is my first nute burn since birth (sprouted march 17th.....flower day 20....white widow from 420-seeds)......ppm yesterday was 778......diluted to 558 with pH 5.7 water at 1/2 strength nutes......ppm today was 442. See pics and advies....rock on all!
 

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shenagen

Well-Known Member
I didn't know you had a thread I could have answered some of those questions my self before I sent the PM. After seeing the pics I'd have to say I probably wouldn't have bothered flushing...they look great. Those bottom leaves that are messed up are not a big deal. The newest growth isn't very burnt looking at all....thats what I look at when determining how bad I've burnt. Did you talk to the AN guy about your issue?.. what did he say?
 
TetraHyC

TetraHyC

Well-Known Member
platypusmann said:
YES!!!! EXACTLY what I was looking for......and I really did believe that some people were as serious as I hope to be....glad I was right.
I am using flood & drain and the I am keeping my pH at 5.8....so uptake is good. Thanks much and rep to you! This is my first grow, but I am a very throoughy and precise person, so want to do this right....just hadn't had extra cash to buy a new TDS meter until yesterday. Thanks again!!!
Click to expand...
I've got tons of ppm readings in my journal, my feeding is hard to follow, but you can see how I work the ppms.
 
WWgrower

WWgrower

Well-Known Member
Your plants are doing great. It is using all the nutes you give it for blooming and getting rid of the old leafs and using the nutes to bloom. This is totally normal and happens all the time in flower. Nothing unusual about it.
 
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