Just wondering I’m new hydro growing. Getting the hang with mixing nutrients etc. Have mine set up for 2 feeds a day just now. So I check everything before work and after. I set ph to 5.8. And usually over night goes up to about 6.2 usually is this normal. Growing autos and what are people’s limits for ec’s growing them I was reading the other day that they don’t need anywhere as much feed. Cheers guys.
Grow Mediums Ph levels. Ec levels. Etc. Advice thanks.
- Thread starter uv123_4
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Hey bud, one thing I have learned is that pH and EC are tightly related. If your EC is on point, then your pH will drift less.
Recirculating systems and drain to waste systems will have different EC levels.
If you are in a recirculating system, then check the EC every day. If it is going up, that means the EC is too high, so add water.
If the EC is stable or drops slightly then you are good to go and pH should be fairly stable.
This applies to systems where you use water and hydroton (like dwc). If you have a medium like rockwool or Coco then things are a bit different.
Recirculating systems and drain to waste systems will have different EC levels.
If you are in a recirculating system, then check the EC every day. If it is going up, that means the EC is too high, so add water.
If the EC is stable or drops slightly then you are good to go and pH should be fairly stable.
This applies to systems where you use water and hydroton (like dwc). If you have a medium like rockwool or Coco then things are a bit different.
Ok iv got them in a jiffy into pebbles. Recirc system. Have it set to 5.8 and usually when I go and check it’s up to 6.0. Or now and again. 6.2. Say overnight so about 8-10 hours. Would you say that’s ok. And how much does ph down fiddle with the ec ?
Contrats for picking the best grow medium, and growing autos in it.
I grow in top feed dwc using Vapor Pressure Deficit chart, which potentially affects everything, so this might not apply to everyone.
Going above 450 ppm causes nute burn for me when growing this way.
I keep pH around 6.0 all the time.
Adding a storage reservoir with float valve can dramatically reduce work load.
pH down should not add much EC.
When I first make a fresh Rez, I have pH rise for a day or two. After that pH doesn't move much.
Check your EC and see if it's rising or falling. Chances are that it's rising and this is what's causing the pH drift. If it is, just keep watering it down until it stops rising. pH should stabilize after that. It would help to know what your EC (or ppm) is currently.
One other thing that can cause pH rise is if you didn't rinse your clay pebbles well enough. Eventually this will go away as you change Rez a few times.
A big cold rez will stay a lot more stable than a small warm one.
I changed it last night so I will check what it says when I’m home there was a bit residue from clay inside so cleaned it well. But also washed the pebbles well as well. I use a Wilma system. 4 pots the tank is 30 litres. Maybe will sort itself out.
Will post ec etc in a hour or so.
Ph 6.3 was 6.0 this morning. Left it for the day to see how high it would go.
Ec .8.
Ppm400
Mixed it up last night.
Took ph down to 5.8 again
Goin to hopefully get a air pump for res tonight.
Don’t have one just now. Do they help much ?
found this chart would you say them ec are good for autos or too much cos iv read people saying they don’t need as much nutes.
I'd keep checking the EC to see what it does, but .8 is about right for autos in early veg recirculating, but watch if the EC rises or falls. If it goes up, water it down some.
I think you should be able to get by without air stones in a drip system as the drips pull oxygen down with them. However if your roots grow into the Rez (not sure if that's how a Wilma system works) then you will need air stones for sure.
If you are noticing clay pebble residue on your tank etc. then it might take a while until the pH stabilizes. They really are a pain to rinse... Have to do it many times to really get them clean.
I think you should be able to get by without air stones in a drip system as the drips pull oxygen down with them. However if your roots grow into the Rez (not sure if that's how a Wilma system works) then you will need air stones for sure.
If you are noticing clay pebble residue on your tank etc. then it might take a while until the pH stabilizes. They really are a pain to rinse... Have to do it many times to really get them clean.
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