Hydroponics Question and Answer NewGrowth Style

I have reading a lot of confusion with hydroponics systems, nutrients,ect. It is often difficult to answer people's questions about hydroponics after a thread has been hijacked and false information has been posted.
I thought I would start a thread where people could ask hydroponics questions. No question is dumb and if it is well I'll tell you. I will also not tolerate any myths or false information.
I'm certainly no expert but I have been growing for years with hydroponics and have set-up and help manage grow operations in quite a few places. One of the best ways for me to continue to learn is to answer your questions so POST AWAY!!

Is a TDS meter really important if your changing out your nutes every 2 weeks?

what are the outside dimensions of a 900mm x 900mm ebb & flow tray in its stand ?
my tent is 990.6mm X 990.6MM X 2 meters LWH and i need to be sure the
900mm X 900mm tray will fit in its stand.
and on a side note if i know how big it is over all i will know how much black berry jam and molasses to order to really make my buds superdankelicious
LOL sorry NG had to toss a couple myths in there

Secret Grower said:

Is a TDS meter really important if your changing out your nutes every 2 weeks?

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Yes a TDS or EC meter is important to accurately determine nutrient levels in your reservoir. Changing nutes every two weeks reduces the risk of pathogens in your reservoir and also allows you to maintain proper levels of N/P/K and micronutrients. Top off with fresh Ph adjusted fresh water between changes. Never add nutes between changes doing so can cause problems with nutrient lockout.

Phinxter said:

what are the outside dimensions of a 900mm x 900mm ebb & flow tray in its stand ?
my tent is 990.6mm X 990.6MM X 2 meters LWH and i need to be sure the
900mm X 900mm tray will fit in its stand.

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They sell aluminum stands that fit right under the trays. I'm not sure if the 900mmx900mm measurement is inside or outside because there is a 1" lip that is used to support the trays in the stand. I would think with you tent measurements the trays with stands would fit fine, the tent walls are flexible too.

and on a side note if i know how big it is over all i will know how much black berry jam and molasses to order to really make my buds superdankelicious
LOL sorry NG had to toss a couple myths in there

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I'll take a blackberry jam and bud sandwich on wheat. I think they sell those toasted at Quizno's its actually called the "Superdankelicious"

Are the correct levels usually printed on the nute bottles or is there a standard number to go by? I've been a dirt-bag for too long and am new to the hydro.

Thanks for all your input.

Secret Grower said:

Are the correct levels usually printed on the nute bottles or is there a standard number to go by? I've been a dirt-bag for too long and am new to the hydro.

Thanks for all your input.

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There are usually recommended levels printed on the bottle. Sometimes they provide good guidelines but often they don't for all strains, growing conditions, ect. It's a better practice to find a brand you like and stick with it.
I would recommend using the manufacturer recommended levels at 1/4 strength and slowly upping them depending on plant tolerance and growth rates ect.

Any nute recommendations for a newbie.

Do you recommend additives such as bcuzz?

Secret Grower said:

Any nute recommendations for a newbie.

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You will find a different opinion on which nutes are the "best" from every hydro grower. I prefer two part nutrient systems (easier to mix) and I personally have used "Ionic" nutrients for years with great results.

Do you recommend additives such as bcuzz?

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The only other additive I use is H202 35% 1.7mL/L. I have used humic acid additives and some bloom boosters before. I found that humic acid just left a residue in my reservoirs and bloom boosters caused burning early in flowering. If you want to use bloom boosters I would recommend their use only late in flowering (last 2 weeks). Don't use lots of additives however most are marketing scams and combining a lot of additives tends to cause more problems.

My Babys are 3 weeks old
i didnt use nutes yet
Light : 18/6 under 430W Hps
Temperature: 81F
RH : 48%

My question is when do i start the 1/4 strengh Nutes ?


Thanks for the Thread

sllik said:

My Babys are 3 weeks old
i didnt use nutes yet
Light : 18/6 under 430W Hps
Temperature: 81F
RH : 48%

My question is when do i start the 1/4 strengh Nutes ?

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You can start now if you like, run 500 ppm and see how that works for you. They look good nice compact growth. What kind of nutes are you using?

Thanks for the Thread

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Thank you for smoking!

Hi NewGrowth Thanks for the Advice and im gonna use

Botanicare ure Blend (pro grow) 3-1.5-4
Botanicare ure Blend (Pro Bloom) 2.5-2-5

sllik said:

Hi NewGrowth Thanks for the Advice and im gonna use

Botanicare ure Blend (pro grow) 3-1.5-4
Botanicare ure Blend (Pro Bloom) 2.5-2-5

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I'm not a fan of organic nutrients, I tried them in the past ended up with root rot, and lots of algae growth. After finding the right mix I found that they clogged my pumps, misters, ect. quickly and made cleaning more difficult. I switched back to Ionic and have never looked back. I prefer a nice sterile reservoir. I think organic belongs with soil not hydro. Make sure you are measuring your nutrient strength with a PPM/EC meter. Let me know how the organic hydro works out for you.

ill put the 500 ppm tomorow

Sup dude!!

I have 9.0/ 250 ppm tap water. Would you use it?

I have thought about Ionic nutrients before.. I like the idea that u adjust ur NPK for diff stages. The only reason i never did was the guys a the hydro shop said they wont read on tds meters.. Nature netcar i think is the brand.

Have you ever used the Lucas formula?

For real dude i got an ass ton info i need to bounce off someone. This weekend im planning on build an aero cloner, 5x5 aero table, and a homemade nebulizer for constant fog in tha table. It would be hella easy if fog alone would work. It may even but i dont know so i am still planning on misters in the table.

I was thinking about just using lucas formula for gh and h2o2 @ 35%. No sauces.. Well liquid karma may sneek its way in there. Im kinda sold on it but i would like to know what gh alone can do.

Im hoping to get max yield out of 1000w hps with least amount of cost. I just dont have alot of experience. This will be my 4 time around.

Ur thoughts on different watering systems?

U need to get the soil formula too. U need the superphosphates in the soil formula. It kinda stupid they did it like that but it IS a must.. U will lose lots of taste without it. Ur bud will still grow nice and fat with out it but it will be bland. O yea FYI their soil formula is actually made for hydro too. Doesnt make alot sense but it is what it is...

How do you feel about adding a little h202 (capfull of the store grade 3%) every 3 days to a dwc system?

flipsidesw said:

Sup dude!!

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Lots of stuff, I harvested my Arjan's Haze #1 and I am planing a small indoor for the winter with some Trainwreck from Greenhouse seeds. My California project is on track as well.

I have 9.0/ 250 ppm tap water. Would you use it?

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I am surprised your tap water is so alkaline! Make sure you are reading the Ph correctly. I would still use that water the PPM is still pretty low and you can adjust the Ph.

I have thought about Ionic nutrients before.. I like the idea that u adjust ur NPK for diff stages. The only reason i never did was the guys a the hydro shop said they wont read on tds meters.. Nature netcar i think is the brand.

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Ionic reads fine on my bluelab truncheon.

Have you ever used the Lucas formula?

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Never used it sorry

For real dude i got an ass ton info i need to bounce off someone. This weekend im planning on build an aero cloner, 5x5 aero table, and a homemade nebulizer for constant fog in tha table. It would be hella easy if fog alone would work. It may even but i dont know so i am still planning on misters in the table.

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The fogger will work fine I have used them successfully with aero/DWC set ups. I made a couple for some med patients too. With clones the only requirement for root formation is high humidity and warm temps. An over saturated stem will rot. I think the fogger set up without misters will work just fine. Make sure you use the right size fogger however. I use this company myself. Ultrasonic Water Fogger-The Mist Maker

I was thinking about just using lucas formula for gh and h2o2 @ 35%. No sauces.. Well liquid karma may sneek its way in there. Im kinda sold on it but i would like to know what gh alone can do.

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Sounds like a good plan, I don't use additives myself and H2O2 does a great job at keeping you reservoir sterile. I use 35% @ 1.7ml/L in my reservoir.

Im hoping to get max yield out of 1000w hps with least amount of cost. I just dont have alot of experience. This will be my 4 time around.

Ur thoughts on different watering systems?

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Not sure what you mean, lots of ways to do hydroponics and each way has its pro's and con's. What kind of set-ups have you used in the past?

racer3456 said:

How do you feel about adding a little h202 (capfull of the store grade 3%) every 3 days to a dwc system?

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Good idea but probably not very effective at such low concentrations. I use 35% @ 1ml/L and add it every two weeks when I change out the reservoir.

U think a fogger be used soley in the 5x5 table? Wouldnt heat build up too high?

My run with MJ was in soil. Last 2 time was dwc. all where successfull. The last dwc was nice tho.. I got 5 oz of 2 plants vegged 3 weeks.. First dwc grow idid yielded around 3 but crackled when smoked and never really cured out right.

Well ill tell you what i want from a system. First thing no media at any stage... Fastest grow rate with the least maintence. I liked dwc alot but aero seems like the way ill end up. Once i saw how easy it is to make a nebulizer out of fence post ive been hooked on the idea..

Do you know of a cheaper nutrient than gh flora? Have you ever messed with house and garden?

flipsidesw said:

U think a fogger be used soley in the 5x5 table? Wouldnt heat build up too high?

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Ok bear with me here I've been smoking some haze
Foggers don't add much heat from my experience. Yes I think the fogger alone would be more than effective. Did you look at my link?

My run with MJ was in soil. Last 2 time was dwc. all where successfull. The last dwc was nice tho.. I got 5 oz of 2 plants vegged 3 weeks.. First dwc grow idid yielded around 3 but crackled when smoked and never really cured out right.

Well ill tell you what i want from a system. First thing no media at any stage... Fastest grow rate with the least maintence. I liked dwc alot but aero seems like the way ill end up. Once i saw how easy it is to make a nebulizer out of fence post ive been hooked on the idea..

Do you know of a cheaper nutrient than gh flora? Have you ever messed with house and garden?

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Never even heard of house of garden, I really have been an Ionic guy for a while now. . . .
Ionic is pretty cheap though usually a better deal than Gh products.