Prepared Hydro Nutrient Shelf Life...

I am two weeks into the flowering stage of my first grow, and I have been trying to change my nutrient solution every week. I have 4 WaterFarms in a 3x3 Hydrohut. The farms are not connected, and I have been trying to find a way to streamline the nutrient exchange process. My question is, if I made up a master batch of the nutrient solution, how long could I store that before it begins to deteriorate (if it does.) I am using the Technoflora system which includes the regular 3-part general nutes, Thrive-Alive Red, Magical, Awesome Blossoms, and Sugar Daddy. Any help would be appreciated! I am pretty new to the site, but the people here have already saved my ass a handful of times!

Don't get yourself all tied up into a knot just because your first attempt at asking for help went unnoticed. One in your situation might want to take a look at the bottle and the ingredients. Are they organic? Is there a shelf life or expiration date on the bottle? These would be clues that any reasonable person might take to determine the answer to your question. You have all the keys, the info, needed to make such a determination, rather than having someone do it for you.

If you aren't keeping the bottles of nutes in the fridge, chances are you are safe to leave a pre-mix for at least a week, but you'll use it up by then, so I fail to see the importance of this inquiry, lol...

Well, I know for a fact that if you mix your nutrients without water, many of the nutrients become locked up. Perhaps when added properly there is a different reaction, causing a decay. To make assumptions using the bottle labels (which don't mention how long the mixture lasts) wouldn't be very scientific. I was seeking the experience of the users here, not for them to google it for me. I could have done that. Either way, I apologize for diluting your forum with unnecessary questions. I'll keep my mouth shut.

A lot of your questions will go unanswered until you get a little better known around the forums. Shitty deal, but it's kinda how it is. Most of my posts still go unanswered, if it helps at all haha.

lol well Ive used Technoflora when i was in soil and i would just mix about 20 gallons at a time and use it with in a week. not sure if i would let it sit any longer. also never mix them with out water as they do get locked up. If you are using R/O water then you will need cal/mag. also make sure you Ph it and always check ppms. hope that helps, and serapis is a good guy nothing for you to get all mad about his comments

NorthernLights#5 said:

lol well Ive used Technoflora when i was in soil and i would just mix about 20 gallons at a time and use it with in a week. not sure if i would let it sit any longer. also never mix them with out water as they do get locked up. If you are using R/O water then you will need cal/mag. also make sure you Ph it and always check ppms. hope that helps, and serapis is a good guy nothing for you to get all mad about his comments

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Thanks for the feedback! I have been mixing with water, and in the order specified by Technoflora. I have also been keeping the pH and PPMs where they are supposed to be. The further I get into flowering the more frequently the water levels need solution. Good to know about your being able to keep it for a week and still getting good results. Maybe I will call Technoflora and see what their corporate opinion is?

I don't have a problem with serapis, in fact I have learned a lot from his posts. Sorry if I jumped the gate, it just seemed a little discouraging to be accused of being lazy about the information I was looking for. It's hard to find a problem on RIU that doesn't have multiple solutions, I guess I was trying to see what the consensus is. I am all for keeping the forum efficient, but it's fun to share expertise. That's what I am here for!

dude don't worry, i have used dissolved ferts for up to 8 months and they were the same as new, i haven't tried them older than that but i bet they will last. i store them in a dark closet and they're chemical...

zem said:

dude don't worry, i have used dissolved ferts for up to 8 months and they were the same as new, i haven't tried them older than that but i bet they will last. i store them in a dark closet and they're chemical...

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Awesome sir! Thanks for the feedback! That is exactly what I was waiting to hear. My guess is that the story is different for organics. I really appreciate that!

Your original question said nothing about mixing nutrients without water. Every label I have ever come across explicitly states NOT to do that, so why would you consider it?

And it really isn't that you asked an unnecessary question, it was your 'fuck me then' follow up that may have caused my response to be a bit short, in that respect I apologize. Feel free to premix all the water/nutes you need, As long as you are using bottled nutes, chances are good that you can mix in water and store for a week or two. Just make sure you stir it back up, as some settling may occur. The longest I have mixed up gallon jugs and stored them is for two weeks, using the Fox Farms line up. Other than some separation, it worked out fine.

UltramegaMJ said:

Well, I know for a fact that if you mix your nutrients without water, many of the nutrients become locked up. Perhaps when added properly there is a different reaction, causing a decay. To make assumptions using the bottle labels (which don't mention how long the mixture lasts) wouldn't be very scientific. I was seeking the experience of the users here, not for them to google it for me. I could have done that. Either way, I apologize for diluting your forum with unnecessary questions. I'll keep my mouth shut.

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Exactly! Now you are using the ole noodle... that is all I was trying to say... a lot of times, our questions can be answered if we just stop and think.

I would definitely not mix up organic teas and mixes and expect them to remain on the shelf long before having spoilage or it begins to deteriorate.

UltramegaMJ said:

Awesome sir! Thanks for the feedback! That is exactly what I was waiting to hear. My guess is that the story is different for organics. I really appreciate that!

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Thanks Serapis! When I said "fuck me then," I totally meant it in a humorous fashion. Sorry about that, I feel like a dick! Thanks for the info though, that is definitely what I wanted to hear. I have been mixing the stuff at a 2x concentrate in gallon milk jugs (I am using WaterFarms which use 2 gallons.) It seems to be working pretty well so far! It's the first grow in my sig if anyone is interested. Thanks again and sorry about the BS on my part at the beginning of this thread, glad you stuck around to tell me the good word.