Hydroponics
- Thread starter potroast
- Start date
ph is very important in hydroponics. last night, I was adjusting the ph, I noticed signs from it getting to low, so I add ph up, a little to much. just 10 minutes later I already see signs from the ph being to high. I've heard of plants reacting that fast, but never saw it before until last night.
5.8 is usually the target. I've been using ph test drops for the past few months. it's a pain and isn't completely accurate. my next buy will be a digital tester. my last buy was a cheap digital ppm tester. once you get the hang of growing, a ppm tester is a huge help with tweaking. I can see exactly how much nutrient the plants are using up every day. I can almost see the plants growing too.
keep a close eye on ph. check it every day, and always check it after making any changes like adding water or nutrients.
from what I've read, it's always a good idea to flush with fresh water for at least a few days to a week. some people even flush for 2 weeks. I would keep the ph the same, around 5.8, but now that I think of it, would having a higher or lower ph help with flushing? the plants wouldn't be able to absorb any nutes left behind if the ph was around 7. maybe start a new thread for that debate.
Anc777
Well-Known Member
aluminutty
Active Member
hey great thread man. I just have 1 question I am somewhat a newbie in this but learn things very quick and have a lot of experience in marine aquatics and reef tanks and being a welder/fabricator by trade I have unlimited use of all bottled gases. From my research so far aerating your res heavily and keeping your temp at about 65 helps combat ph fluctuation. now my question to you is do you think it would benefit my roots by running pure o2 through my bubblers in the aero res combined with a co2 module? thanks.
VictorVIcious
Well-Known Member
Up to a point it would, the temperature is more important than the additional oxygen. Temperatures below 70 will allow twice as much dissolved oxygen. If I had access, I might set up one on a timer, to put extra oxygen in just before flood cycle. CO2 should be released in the air right above the level of your plants and recirculated from the floor up, Until your next release. You will need controls for you exhaust system, etc. for optimum use of co2, estimates are 25% incease in production, does not need to be used until flowering begins. Temps can also runa little hotter when using the co2. VV
aluminutty
Active Member
thanks for the info g man.At this point in time I am taking my time setting up in a 40x8x8 trailer and planning on running an aerospring/bubbler system running constant circulating water through all root chambers with individual bubble bars in each tub aswell as 4 bubblers with bottled o2 pumped through my 90 gal res on a timer. I got a good deal on 10 cool tubes but after further research found out that cool tubes create hot spots so I fabricated a light mover for all 10 tubes. what are the best timed intervals for my 60 psi micro misters nutrient delivery? do you not run co2 for veg? thanks.
Smallsetup
Well-Known Member
Hey Everyone, I still consider myself a noob for the simple fact I haven't found this thread till now. I'm on my second grow and ran into a problem with the Flora nova I was using. I don't know if it went bad or what. I had a problem with my plants dying and when I pulled them up The roots were Brownish red. I figured this was From the Hyroton, although I rinsed It very well. This Happened on a drip system. I ditched the drippers and made a DIY Aero setup inside a Rubbermaid 18 gallon tub and stuck some clones in there in 3 inch net pots with perlite instead of the Hydroton. I also have a DWC/Bubbleponics setup with some seedlings in another room under a T5. All was going well for the first few days untill i noticed the same Reddish brown "sludge" on the roots in the aero setup. I immediately flushed em and changed the res and Nutes. Two days later same thing, but this time one plant fell over and died. I noticed the same happening in the DWC. So i ditched the Nova and put in the three part flora, (which I hate). So I'm sorry for the long post, but i'm tired of spending money for nothing. I'm not sure if the Floranova went bad, but i mixed it up really well before it was added so I don't think it's my fault. Anyone recommend another nutrient besides the flora 3 part? Any suggestions would greatly help guys Thanks! 
potroast
Uses the Rollitup profile
That sounds good, and it sounds like an NFT system. With the soup constantly moving, it will be plenty aerated without any O2. And if you have air pumping into the res too, you'll be fine.
You can run CO2 during veg, too, it will speed growth, but most use it for flowering where it speeds flower development.
Sprayers of root systems usually run 24/7.
HTH
potroast
Uses the Rollitup profile
Hey Everyone, I still consider myself a noob for the simple fact I haven't found this thread till now. I'm on my second grow and ran into a problem with the Flora nova I was using. I don't know if it went bad or what. I had a problem with my plants dying and when I pulled them up The roots were Brownish red. I figured this was From the Hyroton, although I rinsed It very well. This Happened on a drip system. I ditched the drippers and made a DIY Aero setup inside a Rubbermaid 18 gallon tub and stuck some clones in there in 3 inch net pots with perlite instead of the Hydroton. I also have a DWC/Bubbleponics setup with some seedlings in another room under a T5. All was going well for the first few days untill i noticed the same Reddish brown "sludge" on the roots in the aero setup. I immediately flushed em and changed the res and Nutes. Two days later same thing, but this time one plant fell over and died. I noticed the same happening in the DWC. So i ditched the Nova and put in the three part flora, (which I hate). So I'm sorry for the long post, but i'm tired of spending money for nothing. I'm not sure if the Floranova went bad, but i mixed it up really well before it was added so I don't think it's my fault. Anyone recommend another nutrient besides the flora 3 part? Any suggestions would greatly help guys Thanks!
I use FloraNova too and haven't had any problems. It's the best of the pseudo-organic hydro nutes that I've tried. The Flora 3-part series will work fine, too. I would say the problem is too hot a soup. Do you have to blow on it some before feeding your plants?
If your res is below 75, then check your aeration. Something is wrong with the DO levels of your soup. (dissolved oxygen)
HTH
Smallsetup
Well-Known Member
My res temp in the dwc is around 80 degrees, The little aero is about 88. I guess because of the pump.. So I guess that's my problem?? What should the temps be??
GypsyBush
Well-Known Member
Too warm... I think...
I keep my res. around 58F to 60F...
I have heard that 70F is the magic temp for root growth, but also for pathogen reproduction....
My ladies seem to be doing fine with the low temps in the res... and I keep the air around 68F to 72F...
Hope this helps...
Gypsy...
I keep my res. around 58F to 60F...
I have heard that 70F is the magic temp for root growth, but also for pathogen reproduction....
My ladies seem to be doing fine with the low temps in the res... and I keep the air around 68F to 72F...
Hope this helps...
Gypsy...
potroast
Uses the Rollitup profile
Yes, that's the problem. You've got nasty fungi growing in your soup, and there is not enough DO for your plants to thrive. Is the air temp high also? Res temp should be below 75, sixty-something is better.
Fix that and your plants will flourish.
HTH
Smallsetup
Well-Known Member
My air temp is at 70, My wife was born on the sun so she's frozen solid at 70 if you know what I mean.. I double checked the DWC and it's at 79, but I have plenty of air going into it (4 airstones). Guess I gotta figure something out. I also am using Hygrozyme in there (i think I forgot to mention that). Would this be contributing to the problem also? Just curious because I didn't have this problem with my first grow under the same conditions..
Smallsetup
Well-Known Member
I've gotten mixed answers on this... My water starts out at 250 PPM. If I wanted to feed at 500, would I adjust to 750?? 
potroast
Uses the Rollitup profile
My air temp is at 70, My wife was born on the sun so she's frozen solid at 70 if you know what I mean.. I double checked the DWC and it's at 79, but I have plenty of air going into it (4 airstones). Guess I gotta figure something out. I also am using Hygrozyme in there (i think I forgot to mention that). Would this be contributing to the problem also? Just curious because I didn't have this problem with my first grow under the same conditions..
Even with 4 airstones making copious amounts of bubbles, and the surface is churning like in A Perfect Storm, the soup can't hold the oxygen at that temp. The enzymes may be helping but obviously not enough.
I've gotten mixed answers on this... My water starts out at 250 PPM. If I wanted to feed at 500, would I adjust to 750??
Yes, add your nute requirements to your base water ppm.
HTH
