Im just wondering what to look for in reference to ppms. I have a 50 gallon res and i started with 1010 ppms with ro'd water. Then it went up to 1040, then 1040 the next day, then dropped to 990, now it went back up to 1040. What am i supposed to be looking for? I use fox farm 3 part and i am a week into vegging. I also use a ebb and flow with 23 plants in a 3*8 table. Could anyone please give me advise on what to watch for with ppm's? I know its supposed to go down and when it goes up its time to change. But i dont think it would already need this would it? Also, am i supposed to top my res off with ro water, or a fert mix? And, is topping off supposed to change the ppms? Anything anyone can tell me is much appreciated. Thank you, and happy growing.
Need Help with PPM Question, First time Grower.
- Thread starter cgrizzle3
- Start date
jondamon
Well-Known Member
OK the way things work with ppms and EC etc.
If you check your res and the ppm has increased this means the plants are using water not nutes.
If you check the res and the ppm has decreased it means the plants are using nutes.
The trick is to find the happy medium where they are using what you put in and the ppm counts come back the same.
THis way the plants are using the same amount of nutes and water.
So if your ppm's increase this means you need to add water to bring the ppm's back to where you need them,
If you ppms decrease then you need to add nutes to bring the ppm back up.
I dont even do hydro and i know this from reading about such things.
Have you tried reading?
J
If you check your res and the ppm has increased this means the plants are using water not nutes.
If you check the res and the ppm has decreased it means the plants are using nutes.
The trick is to find the happy medium where they are using what you put in and the ppm counts come back the same.
THis way the plants are using the same amount of nutes and water.
So if your ppm's increase this means you need to add water to bring the ppm's back to where you need them,
If you ppms decrease then you need to add nutes to bring the ppm back up.
I dont even do hydro and i know this from reading about such things.
Have you tried reading?
J
trichlone fiend
New Member
For flowering, I try to keep my res @ a 1300 ppm @ .7 conversion, or 950 ppm @ .5 ppm....I top my res to balance it daily...if it's high, I add pure water...if it's low I add back a 1300 ppm solution.
fred flintstoned
Well-Known Member
A 50 point swing in one day is not really enough to worry about. It's actually quite normal. Jondamon is correct on some of the causes. Others are RH, ambient temps,etc.
Most hydro growers add back plain water as the plants transpire. The basic addback rule: when you've added back plain water equivalent to the original amount, change out the rez.
I personally add back a 50% solution. I find I can go a bit longer between change outs.
Bottom line, small swings are nothing to stress about. Over time you'll learn when and what to addback and when to change out . It's really pretty simple and actually not that exact of a science.
Hope this helps,
Fred
Most hydro growers add back plain water as the plants transpire. The basic addback rule: when you've added back plain water equivalent to the original amount, change out the rez.
I personally add back a 50% solution. I find I can go a bit longer between change outs.
Bottom line, small swings are nothing to stress about. Over time you'll learn when and what to addback and when to change out . It's really pretty simple and actually not that exact of a science.
Hope this helps,
Fred
Thank all of you for your help. From what you said, that confirms what i thought. I just wasnt sure. And yes, I have read, but i was just making sure. better to be safe than sorry right? I ama first time grower, and my babies do look real good im just trying to make sure Im doing what im supposed to. Thank all of you, you have gave me faith in these forums.
