is this normal

[outsiders]

when you checking your run off in coca is it normal for it to be allot lower in EC compared to what i am putting in for example if im putting in 1.2 EC and what is coming out is about 0.3 EC am a getting a massive build up of salts that is not washing though with a 30% run off or it the plant using it. its not often i even consider checking just a post the other day got me thinking i probably should.

 

[JimmyNuggs]

Yes.
As the liquid feed is filtered and fed from coco (regardless of source nutrition type) the remaining liquid must lose its conductivity as part of that process (no brains on this) n maybe temp may also play its part!?!
The remaining liquid has less nutrients & oxygen and usually a higher (phase dep) PH.
Run off is simply to ensure sufficient liquid in, don't think an additional 20/30% is gonna act as any kind of 'flush': but checking it for ec/tds/ppm & ph and using as ref for any possible swings is good practice as this can be early warning on issues

A proper flush (3*pot size of water) every week to ten days is common practice with coco. (I do an aac tea every tens and a flush every ten: with a 5 day stagger in veg & flower) plants don't complain and keep growing strong n green !

 

[xtsho]

Yes.
As the liquid feed is filtered and fed from coco (regardless of source nutrition type) the remaining liquid must lose its conductivity as part of that process (no brains on this) n maybe temp may also play its part!?!
The remaining liquid has less nutrients & oxygen and usually a higher (phase dep) PH.
Run off is simply to ensure sufficient liquid in, don't think an additional 20/30% is gonna act as any kind of 'flush': but checking it for ec/tds/ppm & ph and using as ref for any possible swings is good practice as this can be early warning on issues

A proper flush (3*pot size of water) every week to ten days is common practice with coco. (I do an aac tea every tens and a flush every ten: with a 5 day stagger in veg & flower) plants don't complain and keep growing strong n green !

Flushing 3 times the pot size with water every week to 10 days is not a common practice with coco growers. Where did you hear that? I grow in coco and I never flush. I also never waste time checking runoff either. If what goes in is good then everything else follows. The reason people have issues is because they dump too much stuff on their plants. If you feed properly coco you won't have any problems.

Checking runoff leads some to try and fix problems that don't exist. If the plants look fine then keep doing what you're doing.

 

[outsiders]

Flushing 3 times the pot size with water every week to 10 days is not a common practice with coco growers. Where did you hear that? I grow in coco and I never flush. I also never waste time checking runoff either. If what goes in is good then everything else follows. The reason people have issues is because they dump too much stuff on their plants. If you feed properly coco you won't have any problems.

Checking runoff leads some to try and fix problems that don't exist. If the plants look fine then keep doing what you're doing.

fair enough i was just guessing id see the same ish amount of ec coming out to what i am putting in. im still learning coca and though if im seeing a low ec coming out maybe that means i should up the feed . im only feeding once a day 3 hours after lights come on by hand 90% of the time i dont check what i put in cos i know what it is before i mix only check ph. considering im not seeing any problems yet ill continue not checking run off just what i put in . thanks thats all i needed to know for now

 

[xtsho]

Some of the plants I grow in coco I use blumats to water them. With blumats there is never any runoff and the plants grow great. When I do hand watering drain to waste in coco I never check runoff. I focus on what goes in. If what goes in is good then the coco stays good. Some growers plants will be perfectly healthy and then they check the runoff and when it doesn't match what they think it should be they try and fix it not realizing that the runoff does not necessarily represent the conditions at the root zone. You're feeding the plants when you give them nutrients. If you're feeding 1.2 ec and it's coming out at 0.3 the plants are likely feeding. If you're watering to 30% runoff you are not going to get salt build ups.