What Is Needed?

[BloodShotI'z]

Im like 3 days away from starting to build a bubbler. What I still need to know is...What is needed when starting? Are the meter readers needed from day one? I was going to start from seed if that makes any difference.

I ask because the meters are a bit expensive (for me). So I was wanting to piece this all together. But if Im wasting my time starting without being able to take the needed readings maybe I should wait. But who wants to have a bubbler, seed, and nutes and have to wait to begin growing?

So if someone could let me know if its mandatory to have all needed meters from the start....Id appreciate it.

 

[ink slingin' in the 805]

here dude, if you want you can bite (or nibble at) my innovation i just made 3 nights ago for $4.39. haha well, i had a lot laying around from soil growing for years, but its cheap, easy, simple, and works. ph meter and nute meter is your most important buy right now. click the pic for the slideshow....

 

[ink slingin' in the 805]

but to answer your question, no. you will be ok for a few days if you keep that water clean and equipped with an airstone. you will not even need your nutes at first. now remember, you ask 20 growers the same question you get 40 right answers. this is MY OPINION BASED ON WHAT I KNOW. (thats not directed to anyone, there is just a lot of ego's on here at times)

 

[shiftythunderf*ck]

^^ At least this guy can admit it is his opinion. A lot of people here will tell you this is what you NEED to do. And now to my opinion: like he said you will be ok without the ppm meter for a bit (still don't have one). You do absolutely need a ph meter or you can use ph testing kit (bought my freshwater kit at walmart for $5 does over 200 tests). Now if you are going to buy electronic ph or ppm meter do not bother with the 30+ dollar ones you see at home depot or walmart as they are fairly inaccurate and need to be calibrated every time and last about a year. Remember you get what you pay for... secondly with the nutes: should not be given until about 2 wks of seedling stage and I would recommend using no more than 1/4 dose for first feeding. Nutes should be diluted (if using chemical nutes) before they are dumped into your res tank. And please please please don't use vinegar or baking soda for ph down/up as this will cause fluctuations in ph and cause small slow growing or dead plants. Buy a real ph down/up. Keep in mind that if you are using chemical nutes they may alter your ph and cause it to go down. Try to keep your ph level 5.5 -6.5. And lastly make sure you don't cheap out on the lights. Remember your plant will only grow as good as it's limiting factor.

 

[Dowd1]

^^ At least this guy can admit it is his opinion. A lot of people here will tell you this is what you NEED to do. And now to my opinion: like he said you will be ok without the ppm meter for a bit (still don't have one). You do absolutely need a ph meter or you can use ph testing kit (bought my freshwater kit at walmart for $5 does over 200 tests). Now if you are going to buy electronic ph or ppm meter do not bother with the 30+ dollar ones you see at home depot or walmart as they are fairly inaccurate and need to be calibrated every time and last about a year. Remember you get what you pay for... secondly with the nutes: should not be given until about 2 wks of seedling stage and I would recommend using no more than 1/4 dose for first feeding. Nutes should be diluted (if using chemical nutes) before they are dumped into your res tank. And please please please don't use vinegar or baking soda for ph down/up as this will cause fluctuations in ph and cause small slow growing or dead plants. Buy a real ph down/up. Keep in mind that if you are using chemical nutes they may alter your ph and cause it to go down. Try to keep your ph level 5.5 -6.5. And lastly make sure you don't cheap out on the lights. Remember your plant will only grow as good as it's limiting factor.

Hey man i grow in an ebb and flow but so far I do have a ppm meter and thats all.I test my water ph with test strips from wally world in the fish tank section.I also understand about the ask 20 people and get 40 right answers thing.So in my opinion I dont bother with all those expensive meters,I just keep a watchful eye on them and when there seems to be a problem starting I switch out my nutes adjust ph and grow.
All this applies as long as you dont have a def.I had a problem with spots on my leaves and was told i needed to check e/c and ph with a meter,turns out it was a calcium def.If you watch them, they will tell you what they need