The cal mag is because I will be using reverse osmosis water. Reverse osmosis removes calcium and magnesium from tap water. Which means I will need to supplement calcium and magnesium.
Adjusting nutes in rdwc system
- Thread starter 420Mn
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Drop That Sound
Well-Known Member
Gotcha. Afaik the GH trio alone has everything the plant needs (especially in DWC bare root systems), and from what I remember when running it back in the day is that its hard to go wrong with that line unless you really crank the EC up high, which is a waste anyway.. It's always easier to fix underfeeding problems, but its also kinda hard to underfeed in DWC as long as you give them something to suck up, and keep the PH in range. If anything, a little espoms salt would probably do you better though IMO. I guess use it if you got it though, and probably around whatever amount end up adding 100 ppm total, give or take.
So Epsom salt will work in place of calmag? And thanks, your input on the HG trio is hugely helpful!
Epsom is Magnesium Sulphate it doesn't have Calcium
If you don't mind me picking your brain once more, are either of these (or both) the right shock treatment?
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Hollatchaboy
Well-Known Member
Looks like both are. Calcium hypochlorite is the active ingredient you want.
As far as gh nutes, just run the Lucas formula.
Awesome, thanks man! I will research the Lucas formula. Thanks for sharing that knowledge
Hollatchaboy
Well-Known Member
Just get gh floranova bloom. It's the Lucas formula, just in 1 bottle. Makes it easier.
Unfortunately I already the have the trio. Once the florabloom runs out I will pickup the nova bloom. Thanks for that info!
Billy the Mountain
Well-Known Member
The 3-part Flora works fine as per the GH feed chart.
If you really wanted to run the Lucas formula there's no need to purchase another product; it's simply 2 parts FloraBloom to 1 part FloraMicro
GH Flora feed chart:
Yep, I'm aware that Lucas is only micro and bloom. Or just floranova bloom. I'm only considering the Lucas method because it would allow me to avoid the weekly water changes. My system consists of 5x12g totes and will be using ro water so trying to keep the water changes minimal.
Billy the Mountain
Well-Known Member
How exactly would a 2:1 ratio of bloom/micro accomplish that goal?
According to the Lucas method, if not doing water changes, the 2:1 ratio using 2:1 to topoff, will provide everything needed from start to finish. The original GH instructions require a water change every 7-10 days while using varying amounts of nutrients every week or two.
sandman83
Well-Known Member
you can try it, I did and had issues, the plant byproducts still end up in solution and keeping bacteria/slime at bay becomes harder with infrequent changes. make sure to just stick to the formula and not add anything additional supplements if you do. I'd still change the water tank every 14 days at least tbh.
Doesn't the regular use of pool shock prevent the bacteria/slime?
sandman83
Well-Known Member
it does, your results may vary I hope it works out!
I'm still not sure which way I want to run the GH nutes. I had planned to run the per instructions bit another member here suggested lucas as it doesn't require frequent water changes, which was my main goal when I started this post. As of now, I'm just taking in all the advice and info from the comments as I research both methods. I'm still a month away from germination (legal here come August 1) so I have some time to figure it out yet.
Billy the Mountain
Well-Known Member
You still need to do periodic reservoir changes regardless; it's irrelevant if it's a one-part or three-part nute.
Plants will uptake selectively what they need and the nutrient balance will get progressively out of whack with time.
A res change will "reset" the nutrient profile and provide an opportunity to clean off any gunk that's been growing in the res.
Hollatchaboy
Well-Known Member
Agreed. Topping up only works so long, before the ratios are too far out of whack. Though I didn't have to change it out all that often, but it does still require changes.
Thank you for your input! So a water change when switching from veg to bloom and one mid bloom won't be enough? I'm aware situations could arise that may require an additional water change outside of the aforementioned water change schedule.