Yes i decided to try a few plants in dwc.It been a thing long time coming just had to find the time for the switch.Anyway i just have one question. Of course it will be organic which is all i do and i have heard that ppm meters don't work real well with organics.Is this true? I haven't decided but i'm either using PBP or meta naturals for ferts.
GT-for organics I believe the ppm meter is more accurate than an EC meter. Even still I haven't quite dialed in my grow with the TDS meter (ppm). My grow is guided primarily by pH. However, I do use my TDS meter to guage certain aspects. I have noticed with my pH spikes down (more acidic) my ppm are high. I feel the TDS is better used for an additonal reference to assist in verifying 'hunches'. I feel pH is a more important factor in determining how things are going. Both ferts you mentioned are good quality brands but I cannot advise on them personally; I haven't used either personally. Good luck, as you know there is plenty of knowledge around this site to give you a hand if needed. Take care
JE... EC can easily be converted to TDS. GT- DO NOT USE MEATNATURALS in Hydro.... That stuff sucks for dro. I tried it, and the PH was uncontrollable. Talked to the Manufacturers and said for hydro, the solution needs 3 weeks to stabilize itself, and that no PH adjustment was needed. Something about it creating its own "bio-sphere" or some other bullshit. but 3 weeks in hydro solution that fluctuates up 2 whole PH factors per day is not good for your ladies. By the time the solution stabilizes, your girls have gone through hell, and will show multiple nutrient deficiencies. The PBP from Botanicare is an excellent choice for first time hydro. If I may toss in a few points too...add in Dark Energy, SuperNova (made by same people as D.E.) Companion (its a liquid mychorizae, this plus the S.N. makes for the healthiest roots I have seen) and either FLoralicious or Green Fuse Bloom Stimulator/Enhancer. I am sure you know already that lots fo air is required, at least 600 liter/hour per 5 gallon bucket (if you're doing buckets). THe more air, the better... Good luck man, and wwelcome to the hydro club, where plants grow fast and big!!!LOL
Thanks you two. I won't use the meta then which is ok because i always wanted to try pure blend and i've talked to a couple buds that use it and they say they never have to adjust ph with PBP. When i do the hydro it's going to be a hydro/soil comparison which is really pointless because i know the outcome.....hydro will be 2-3 times faster.LOL
Wow...i would like to know the outcome of this experiment... ...do budz in hydro grow faster!?! Or is it the Light that determines the speed at which cannabis plants grow? I have never finished a harvest in organic soil before; so i would really like to know... (Edited by ismoke2much at 7:02 pm on Jan. 4, 2004)
to DWC ... I couldn't be happier with PBP. It's almost impossible to over fert. I was able to effectively use my Milwaukee/Sharp TDS meter which I was running at around 1800 during flower. TDS is mostly ineffective with homemade organics, like making bloodmeal tea - no salts, nothing to measure. A couple things I'd recommend, are the other Botanicare products like BlastOff and CalMag plus. Recently I got some HydroGuard because root rot put an early end to my last grow. A powerhead is more effective than airstones because the surface tension on the little bubbles is too strong for O2 to get released. Airstones work when the little bubbles break the surface and make that effervescent action. Lastly, don't seal the lid on your DWC bucket, leave it ajar so air can flow in and out. It's a compromise between letting light into the ressy and letting air in. Also, Pythium exists in all plants and grow areas, but it only takes over when it's allowed to propagate out of control - so keep the O2 levels high, and keep dead leaves out of the ressy. This time around when I change the ressy I'm adding H2O2 to the new water, let sit for 12 hours, add HydroGuard (which unlike chem fungicides acts to promote beneficial bacteria that compete with Pythium), and let it create a healthy aquaculture before putting the rootmass back in. One more thing ... ismoketoomuch and I both find a pH of about 5.2 makes our girls happiest. But be careful if you're using rockwool because it dissolves at low pH, like 5.5 and under.
