Accurately Measuring Nutrients

[Muddy]

I mix my nutrients in gallon Gatorade jugs, so am often mixing several gallon at one time. Like many I would just measure out my teaspoon, add it, check the pH and off I went. One day I decided to check the ppm of the individual jugs and was surprised that even with my careful measuring, the ppm of the jugs varied greatly. So I began thinking of how I could more accurately measure my nutrients.

My solution was to go to the local farmers co-op and buy large syringes that are used for inoculating livestock. I bought two, one that holds 5 ml and one that holds 15 ml. I then removed the needles from the ends. I pour some of the nutrients into a shot glass and draw up the needed amount, empty it into the jug and then draw up and eject the water 2-3 times to clean out the syringe. I repeat this for every jug. After checking the ppm of the jugs I found a variation of less than 5 ppm between jugs. Problem solved.

I know not everyone has access to a farmers co-op but if you look around I'm sure you can probably find some, maybe at a pharmacy or from a veterinarian, or off the internet. They were very inexpensive, less than $3 for both.

 

[realcarlos]

Syringes work great for that!
A question for you Muddy
When you mix your nutrients do you use it right away or can you leave it for a couple of days/weeks etc
If you leave it for a couple of days/weeks doesn't it evaporate?

 

[Jackal]

Use the same method, only with medicine syringe that I got at Walmart. It only holds 10 ml thou.

 

[roadsidevendor1]

yessir thats how i measure my nutes too.
the pharmacist gave us 6 or 8 of the 5ml
size when the grand-baby was sick and
kept spitting out the amoxicillin

 

[JM]

yup... i've been doing hat for a long time.... glad you had the same idea.... great minds think alike!

:thumbs: :smokebuds:

 

[Muddy]

Chemical nutes will keep for awhile but organic nutes should be used right away. It won't evaporate but it will turn nasty and even deadly if left sitting long enough.

Syringes work great for that!
A question for you Muddy
When you mix your nutrients do you use it right away or can you leave it for a couple of days/weeks etc
If you leave it for a couple of days/weeks doesn't it evaporate?

 

[JM]

yeah... i always mix, bubble for a few (to stir) and feed immediately.... excepting sometimes I put some micros (root drench) in my resevoirwith a tiny drop of molasses (food for the little guys) and let that buble... that never seemed to cause issues... in fact it increased vigor...

 

[mr.sessemia]

Syringes work great for that!
A question for you Muddy
When you mix your nutrients do you use it right away or can you leave it for a couple of days/weeks etc
If you leave it for a couple of days/weeks doesn't it evaporate?

i if you let water sit the p.h will change over time...but if you check yout full duplex's compost n water method.....theres aqua tablets you can get ..one tab last about 24 hr....but it keeps the water oxygenated and a perfect p.h....when one runs out just add another

 

[BLACKBRIAR]

I found the site I grabbed mine from. BBB accredited, they accept all major cards and the other widely accepted for of payment (begins with the word "pay")

http://www.medical-and-lab-supplies.com/syringes-needles/syringes-only.html

Hope this helps anyone looking :group: