Lucas Formula Recipe from Scratch "Really"

fatman7574, i need to give you my utmost respect, your a definitely a nutrient god. thanks for sharing your knowledge!

if i decided to not make my own nutrient just yet, what available nutrient line would you recommend for a RDWC system in bloom? i currently use house and garden, but i would like your opinion. thank you for your time!

fatman7574 said:

nothing really

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Is this because you don't believe that they are beneficial? or because it is harder to find target ppm's for the non-plant food ingredients? Too expensive? Why only the bare minimum?

No disrespect for your methods... just curious what your thoughts are on the subject.

krunchbubble said:

fatman7574, i need to give you my utmost respect, your a definitely a nutrient god. thanks for sharing your knowledge!

if i decided to not make my own nutrient just yet, what available nutrient line would you recommend for a RDWC system in bloom? i currently use house and garden, but i would like your opinion. thank you for your time!

Click to expand...

found the answer..........

Hello Fatty,

I am interested in mixing my own nutes and just finished reading this whole thread. You mention software to do calculations, do you have a recommendation of which software is OK for a newbie nute mixer?
I understand very basic how to calculate but am always looking for more tutorials on it. If you have a basic formula that might help also.
Thanks in advance,
pp69

pikes peak 69 said:

Hello Fatty,

I am interested in mixing my own nutes and just finished reading this whole thread. You mention software to do calculations, do you have a recommendation of which software is OK for a newbie nute mixer?
I understand very basic how to calculate but am always looking for more tutorials on it. If you have a basic formula that might help also.
Thanks in advance,
pp69

Click to expand...

Fatman not fatty. Thank you.

For newbies it is usually to just copy an existing forn formula for a retailed mj specific nutrients series. Nearly all the guaranteed analysis reports for all the chemically based mj specific formulations sold in the U.S. are obtainable. These are just plugged into the software packages usually. there are some formulations that require that the person have enough understanding of the way they are formulated and how to manipulate the software to spit out the proper data. It is really not a newbie level thing. the analysis just gives end results not how those results were obtained. Some mj specific manufacturers such as AN specifically formulate their nutrients in such a way to make them more difficult for the amateur or newbie to just reproduce with a software package or Excel Spread sheet programs. They will spit out close approximations however that work every bit as well. The plants really do not care about slight differences. IE the plants really f do not care if the NPK ratios is 2.1:1:3 or 2.2:1.1:3. Such small differences matter not all all. The soft ware packages and even the Excel y type spread sheets posted by , mj growers are set up for mixing in common manners where there is no trickery or hiding as done by the mj specific manufacturers to try to maintain their uniqueness. Really it is just their scams to make big profits by trying to make it appear it is as difficult as rocket science to formulate and mix nutrients. the difficulty is just figuring out their chemistry manipulations versus actual formulation improvements. 99% of the time it is just manipulation to "protect" their interests.

What brand or type formulation do you want to copy or do you want a custom mix based upon your water source if not using RO water. I do not make equivalents of organic supplemented formulations usually. Especially ones like GH FloraNova grow or Bloom. It is simpler, wiser and much more practical to just mix FloraMicro, FloraBloom,and FloraGrow and just add Humic acids, and fulvic acids as a supplement. the FloraNova line is a substandard line that is really just a marketing scam not a nutrient improvement.

So please be more specific about what type of nutrient recipe you want.

Below is a copy of one of my previous posts I put up about actually formulating a recipe by pencil and paper. It is just a partial tutorial so as to show what is involve so as to show why software is more commonly used. sometimes it is actually easier to do the formulation by hand when copying some formulas like the mj specific manufactures do in there game playing to try to "protect their interests." IE if their formulation can not be readily reproduced by software it is not an improved formulation, it is simply a change in a standard formulations so as to "protect their interests." They simply called it a new name and say it is special and new.

Nutrient Formulations through Mental Masturbation.
Materials used to supply nutrients for production are chosen based on several factors including cost per unit of nutrients, solubility in water, ability to supply multiple nutrients, freedom from contaminants, and ease of handling. The most commonly used fertilizer materials for for aeroponics/hydroponics are listed in Table1. These materials are mostly used to formulate the liquid fertilizer nutrient solutions. Examples of calculations to formulate nutrient solutions are presented later, and conversion values for these calculations are presented in Table 2.
Table 1.
Sources of nutrients used to formulate various nutrient solutions for greenhouse vegetables.












Pre-mixed fertilizer materials are very popular with many growers because they are easy to use. However, they are relatively expensive compared to individual ingredients, and the premixed materials leave little room for making changes in concentrations of individual nutrients. Pre-mixed fertilizers most often supply the P, Mg, S, and micronutrients, and part of the N. They also may supply part or all of the K.
Pre-mixed fertilizers should be purchased from a reputable source that can supply high-quality materials. There is no need to be concerned with the brand names or whether or not the material is a "cannibus special" or a "lettuce special." Often, these are simply brand names and really do not mean anything as far as the plant is concerned. For example, cannibus probably will grow as well on a 32-18-30 "cannibus special" as on a generic 30-16-32. They are too close for one to have superiority over the other.
Formulating and Mixing Stock Nutrient Solutions

Nutrient solutions are only as good as the quality of the ingredients and the time put into the formulations. Fertilizer materials should be of high quality and purchased from a reputable source. If the grower is using mixed fertilizer, it is important to make sure the fertilizer blend has a tag that shows the analysis of the fertilizer, the sources used, and the company's name.
An accurate set of scales must be used to weigh out each material because different materials have different densities. Measuring cups are not an acurate form of measurement for preparing nutrient formulations.
When mixing the fertilizer solutions, hot water will speed up the time for dissolution of the fertilizer. For small batches, mechanical stirring is satisfactory. For large batches, it might be better to invest in an electrical agitator or make up one from an old variable speed drill and a paddle welded onto a long-shank bit.
It is best to work in small batches (volumes), mixing them first, and then dumping each into a larger stock tank. For most small grow operations operations (1 to 2 rooms), stock tanks of 5 to 10 gallons are satisfactory, however 25 to 5o gallon are not uncommon. Replenishment of stock tanks for perlite or rockwool will depend on stage of growth and growth rate of the crop, and will vary from a few days to once every 2 weeks, depending on tank size. In aeroponic systems, replacement is more regular throughout the grow.
In most grow systems, at least two stock tanks (bottles) are needed. This is because certain fertilizer sources when mixed together in concentrated form will lead to insoluble precipitates. The most common of these are calcium phosphate (from mixing calcium nitrate and phosphorus materials) and calcium sulfate (from mixing calcium nitrate and magnesium sulfate). Most growing situations can get by with two stocks, one contains calcium nitrate, and iron chelate, and the other contains the phosphorus source, magnesium sulfate, micronutrients, and the potassium nitrate as well.
Once the small batches are added to the stock, the total volume of the stock tank is brought to the desired level and stirred. After the stocks have settled for a while (few hours), the solution will become clear but a sludge will often form in the bottom of the tanks. This sludge is from certain additives in some fertilizer materials to prevent caking and dust. These materials are not soluble and will settle to the bottom of the tank. Therefore the stock tanks will need to be rinsed periodically to remove this sludge. This problem can be alleviated by using technical grade fertilizer salts or clear (decanted) fertilizer solutions, such as liquid calcium nitrate.
Accurate calculations of the amounts of fertilizer materials to dissolve to achieve the desired concentrations of individual nutrients in the final growth nutrient solution are critical to the success of a fertilizer program


Using pre-mixed materials is satisfactory for the beginner, but the experienced grower will find that he can be more efficient, thrifty, and knowledgeable about his crop if he learns to calculate his own formulations. The calculations are not difficult and, once completed, do not require re-working very often. To properly calculate the nutrient concentrations, the volume of the stock and sump tanks, the analysis of the fertilizer (Table1.), and a few equivalences (Table 2) , must be known.
The following two examples are for a final nutrient solution applied to the plants that contains 150 ppm Ca, 150 ppm N, and 150 ppm K. The following calculations are used to illustrate a method to derive the amounts of the various fertilizer materials (potassium nitrate (KNO3), calcium nitrate (Ca(NO3)2), and potassium sulfate (K2SO4) to be used to make up the desired final nutrient solution that is applied to the plants. A 5-gallon stock tank will be used.
1. Starting with Calcium nitrate, since that will be the only fertilizer source containing Ca:Using Table 1 as refr erence for chemical ppm.
150 ppm Ca = (150 mg Ca) per 1 L nutr. soln
[(150 mg Ca) per 1 L nutr. soln]. ÷ 19% Ca in Ca(NO3)2 = (790 mg Ca (NO3)2) per 1 L nutr. soln.
[(790 mg Ca (NO3)2) per 1 L nutr. soln] x 100 (dilution factor) = 79000 mg Ca (NO3)2) per 1 L stock
[(79000 mg Ca(NO3)2) per 1 L stock] ÷ 1000 mg per g = (79 gr Ca (NO3)2) per 1 L stock
[(78.9 g Ca (NO3)2) per 1 L stock)] ÷ 454 g per lb = (0.174 lb Ca (NO3)2) per 1 L stock)
[(0.174 lb Ca (NO3)2) per 1 L stock)] x 3.78 L per gal = (0.66 lb Ca (NO3)2) per 1 gal stock)
[(0.66 lb Ca (NO3)2) per 1 gal stock)] x 5 gal in tank = 3.30 lb Ca (NO3)2
3.30 lb Ca (NO3)2 to weigh out and dissolve in 5-gal stock.
Note: Some Ca might be supplied from the tap or RO water and this should be determined by a water analysis. The amount of tap or RO water Ca can be subtracted from the 150 ppm desired level so that less Ca needs to be derived from Ca(NO3)2. If this is the case, then the lost N will need to be made up from another N source such as ammonium nitrate. Brrr I hate to use much ammonium nitrate though.
Ca(NO3)2 also supplies N since 15.5% of Ca(NO3)2 is N. Therefore, if 3.30 lb Ca(NO3)2 is dissolved in the stock tank, the following is also provided:
[(3.30 lb Ca(NO3)2) per 5 gal stock] x [(454000 mg per lb) per 3.78 L per gal] = (1498220 mg Ca (NO3)2) per 18.9 L stock
[(1489200 mg Ca (NO3)2) per 18.9 L stock] x 15.5% N in Ca (NO3)2 = (232221 mg N) per 18.9 L stock
(232221 mg N) per 18.9 L = 12287 ppm N in the stock
12287 ppm N ÷ 100 (dilution factor = 123 ppm N in the final nutrient solution.
Since 150 ppm N is desired, an additional 27 ppm N from another source such as KNO3 is needed.
2. Using KNO3 (13% N and 44% K2O), and needing 27.5 ppm N.
27 ppm N = (27 mg N) per 1 L nutr. soln
[(27 mg Ca) per 1 L nutr. soln]. ÷ 13% N in KNO3= 208 mg KNO3 per 1 L nutr. soln.
[(208 mg KNO3 ) per 1 L nutr. soln] x 100 (dilution factor) =20800 mg KNO3 per 1 L stock
[(20800 mg KNO3) per 1 L stock] ÷ 1000 mg per g = (20.8 g KNO3 per 1 L stock
[(20.8 g KNO3 ) per 1 L stock)] ÷ 454 g per lb = (0.046 lb KNO3 per 1 L stock)
[(0.046 lb KNO3) per 1 L stock)] x 3.78 L per gal = (0.17 lb KNO3) per 1 gal stock)
[(0.17 lb KNO3) per 1 gal stock)] x 5 gal in tank = 0.87 lb KNO3
0.87 lb KNO3 to weigh out and dissolve in 5-gal stock.
KNO3 also supplies K since it is 44% K2O. K is expressed as K2O and to convert from K2O to K, multiply by 0.83.
If 0.87 lb of KNO3 is added then: 0.87 lb x 44% K2O in KNO3 x 0.83 = 0.32 lb K in 5 gal stock.
This 0.87 lb of KNO3 supplies 79 ppm K in final nutrient solution.
(0.32 lb K in 5 gal stock) per 5 gallons = 0.06 lb K per gal stock
0.06 lb K per gallon stock / 3.78 L per gallon = 0.016 lb K per liter
0.016 lb K per 1 liter stock x 454 g per pound = 7.26 g K per liter stock
7.26 g K per liter stock x 1000 mg per g = 7260 mg K per 1 L stock
7260 mg K per L stock / 100 (dilution Factor) = 72.64 mg per 1 L stock
72.64 mg per 1 L stock = 72.64 mg K = 73 ppm
This 0.87 lb of KNO3 supplies 73 ppm K in final nutrient solution.
Since 150 ppm K is needed in the final solution and 60 ppm K is coming from KN03, the difference (77 ppm) can be made up from K2SO4 which is 50% K2O (table 1).
77 ppm K = (77 mg K) per 1 L nutr. soln.
[(77 mg K) per 1 L nutr. soln.] ÷ 0.83 = (85.5 mg K2O) per 1 L nutr. soln.
[(85.5 mg K2O) per 1 L nutr. soln.] ÷ 0.50 = (171 mg K2SO4) per 1 L nutr. soln.
(171 mg K2SO4) per 1 L nutr. soln. X 100 (dilution Factor) = 17100 mg K2SO4 per 1 L nutr. soln.
(17100 mg K2SO4) per 1 L nutr. soln. X g per 1000 mg = 17.10 g K2SO4 per 1 L nutr. soln.
[(17.10 mg K2SO4) per 1 L stock] ÷ 454 g per lb = (0.038 lb K2SO4) per 1 L nutr. soln
[(0.038 lb K2SO4) per 1 L nutr. soln] x 3.78 L per gal = (0.142 lb K2SO4) per 1 galstock
0.14 lb K2SO4 x 5 gal in tank = 0.71 lb K2SO4 dissolved in 5-gal stock.
4. Summary. To get 150 ppm of N, K and Ca in the final nutrient solution, 3.30 lb Ca (NO3)2 , 0.87 lb KNO3, and 0.14 lb K2SO4 are dissolved in 5-gallon stocks. The stocks will be diluted 1 part fertilizer stock to 100 parts incoming water to provide the desired nutrient solution for the plants. The K2SO4 needs to go into a different stock tank from the Ca(NO3)2 and KNO3 stock tank to prevent precipitation of the Ca + SO4 as calcium sulfate.
Example B. The grower is going to be using fertilizer from these stocks to add to the sump, (recirculating) tank which is 50 gal in volume. To achieve the desired final concentration, 0.5 gal of each stock needs to be added to the sump tank. The above stocks were formulated for a 1:100 dilution in order to achieve the 150 ppm desired concentrations. Therefore, 1 gal each stock is needed for every 100 gal of final solution; so 0.50 gal of each nutrient solution is needed in the sump tank.
Although, only N, Ca, and K examples were used here, similar calculations can be made with other fertilizer materials. You can also see that similar calculations can be made for the situation where premixed materials are used. The problem is that once one of the nutrients, N, P, or K is selected to fix the fertilizer calculations on, the other two nutrients are fixed by default. Using premixed materials often results in sacrifices in desired nutrient concentrations of certain nutrients for the convenience of use of the material.
.

Thank You fatman,
No disrespect meant with "fatty" earlier, sorry about that.
I'll get my room specs together and post them to get a recommendation for a formula from you. Currently using "Lucas" but going to a more aggressive setup.
Thanks
pp69

pikes peak 69 said:

Thank You fatman,
No disrespect meant with "fatty" earlier, sorry about that.
I'll get my room specs together and post them to get a recommendation for a formula from you. Currently using "Lucas" but going to a more aggressive setup.
Thanks
pp69

Click to expand...

Oh that smell! The words often spoken by the GYN doctor before he swithed to OB only.

Hello Mr fatman,

I will quickly put this list together of room specs.

10,000 watts of mixed Mh and HPS. Hung vertically no reflectors. 48Watts per Sq Ft.
8 plant sites on 5' centers.
This is an improved Krusty Bucket System (KBS)
Plants are fed- timed top feed, timed middle spray with misters, and a constant bottom feed in the lower bucket(container).
Lites on- 80*F and 60% hum, 1500 ppm Co2m.
Lites off- 75*F and 50% hum.
80 gallon recirculating reservoir, with a 100 gallon passive on a timed float valve.
Water source is via RO, ph is 7.2 and TDS is >10.
Media for plants is 100% perlite.
Due to our laws I will be growing trees. Basically 5' tall by about 5' diameter as well.
I've used GH Floroseries GMB in the past on a smaller room and switched to Lucas when that FAD hit. This is now a new room and I want to mix my own and also understand how to mix my own.
I have a supplier right in town for most if not all the salts.
Hydro-Gardens

Once again Thanks for everything you do and have done for the people.

pp69

Your is an inet media grow. A basic inert Hydro. I wouldsuggest that you justcontinue with theGH Flra series using their calcualtor and basingthe EC onthe room temps. At high temps run a lower EC as the plants will be transpiring more at at high temps therfore taking up morewater therefore lower the EC soas to mp ot takeup to many nuts andend up with over j k lushgrowth, burnt tips or stretched out plants. At lower room temps less transpiration wl takeplace so to make sure the pam ts getenough nutes without exrtar wasted effort you should supply a higher EC. You should be ableto amke theGHnutesg for anut $3 to $5pergallon for 100X concentrate. I would suggestwith the monet saved you onsider buyig a EC controoler and pH controller from ebay. When that time comes PM mean I will link you to controllers that are good industrial/laboratory grade equaipment at very good prices. "Lucas Formula" should be taken off the web but unkowing people still want to use it. Sad. With your system I wouldrecommend drai towaste notrecirculation. You woil find with thecheap cost of self mixed nutrients it is better to justusedrain to wasteratherthan worrying about top offs, EC and Phissues or ontrollersetc. The nutrients are always the same pH, always balanced and never deficient due to nutrient lock outs due to recirculating reservoir buffering and pH swings as happen with recirculating reservoirs. With mixing your own nutes the cost of producing your own RO water wll be higher than yourfertilizer costs. You will be supplying nutes diluted to about 250 to 550 ppm and supplyingnit frequently only in very small amounts so that the media always stays damp. Like a few seconds spray every minute. About 1/3 of the water should run out the bottom of your buckets and should have an EC about 1/3 to 1/2 of the EC at input. The media being inert and nearly non absorbant will mean your system will ctually behaven morelike an aero system tha a standard hydro system. The perlite will only act as a surface to support the plants physically. An even better media would be to add some bio balls or some rubber mulch to the perlite. with adrain to waste sytem youf do ot need the high calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and iron needed with recirculating reservoirs.

fatman's Bloom Drain to Waste

Nitrogen 400
Phosphorus 100
Potassium 449
Magnesium 50
Calcium 125
Sulfur 66
Iron 10.00
Manganese 5.00
Boron 5.00
Zinc 5.00
Copper 1.00
Molybdenum .09

Ounces

Part A

Calcium Nitrate 8.3
Potassium Nitrate 7.6
Ammonium Nitrate 4.4
Iron Chelate 1.35

Part B
Potassium Nitrate 7.6
MonoPotassium Phosphate .1
Magnesium Sulfate 6.7
MonoAmmonium Phosphate 6.0
Manganese Sulfate .269
Boric Acid / Solubor .368
Zinc Sulfate .291
Copper Sulfate .059
Ammonium Molybdate .002

Volume of Stock Solutions 1
Dilution Rate 100
EC 2.37
TDS 1650
Salt weight 3244 mg/L

Thank you fatman,

I must stick with recirculating for now although I understand the advantage of D-W. Actually when I set new patients up with a handwater system to start out with I recommend to them a Drain to waste with about 25% runoff. Everyone loves the simplicity of it.
Would you mind calculating a veg and bloom formula for recurculating system with the hiher Ca, Mg, P, and Fe that it would require?
I had looked at Bio Balls (weighted ones) but I now have enough perlite for a couple runs so I may switch after that.


Also as a side note. Reading through this thread I planned on using the Sodium Silicate. Actually ordered some last night. Your calculations for quantity to use, I didn't understand right of hand, but also you had mentioned that a teaspoon is 15ml. I have always thought that a teaspoon was 5ml and a tablespoon was 15ml or 3 teaspoons.
Going to slap you some rep now,

pp69

fatman7574 said:

Your is an inet media grow. A basic inert Hydro. I wouldsuggest that you justcontinue with theGH Flra series using their calcualtor and basingthe EC onthe room temps. At high temps run a lower EC as the plants will be transpiring more at at high temps therfore taking up morewater therefore lower the EC soas to mp ot takeup to many nuts andend up with over j k lushgrowth, burnt tips or stretched out plants. At lower room temps less transpiration wl takeplace so to make sure the pam ts getenough nutes without exrtar wasted effort you should supply a higher EC. You should be ableto amke theGHnutesg for anut $3 to $5pergallon for 100X concentrate. I would suggestwith the monet saved you onsider buyig a EC controoler and pH controller from ebay. When that time comes PM mean I will link you to controllers that are good industrial/laboratory grade equaipment at very good prices. "Lucas Formula" should be taken off the web but unkowing people still want to use it. Sad. With your system I wouldrecommend drai towaste notrecirculation. You woil find with thecheap cost of self mixed nutrients it is better to justusedrain to wasteratherthan worrying about top offs, EC and Phissues or ontrollersetc. The nutrients are always the same pH, always balanced and never deficient due to nutrient lock outs due to recirculating reservoir buffering and pH swings as happen with recirculating reservoirs. With mixing your own nutes the cost of producing your own RO water wll be higher than yourfertilizer costs. You will be supplying nutes diluted to about 250 to 550 ppm and supplyingnit frequently only in very small amounts so that the media always stays damp. Like a few seconds spray every minute. About 1/3 of the water should run out the bottom of your buckets and should have an EC about 1/3 to 1/2 of the EC at input. The media being inert and nearly non absorbant will mean your system will ctually behaven morelike an aero system tha a standard hydro system. The perlite will only act as a surface to support the plants physically. An even better media would be to add some bio balls or some rubber mulch to the perlite. with adrain to waste sytem youf do ot need the high calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and iron needed with recirculating reservoirs.

fatman's Bloom Drain to Waste

Nitrogen 400
Phosphorus 100
Potassium 449
Magnesium 50
Calcium 125
Sulfur 66
Iron 10.00
Manganese 5.00
Boron 5.00
Zinc 5.00
Copper 1.00
Molybdenum .09

Ounces

Part A

Calcium Nitrate 8.3
Potassium Nitrate 7.6
Ammonium Nitrate 4.4
Iron Chelate 1.35

Part B
Potassium Nitrate 7.6
MonoPotassium Phosphate .1
Magnesium Sulfate 6.7
MonoAmmonium Phosphate 6.0
Manganese Sulfate .269
Boric Acid / Solubor .368
Zinc Sulfate .291
Copper Sulfate .059
Ammonium Molybdate .002

Volume of Stock Solutions 1
Dilution Rate 100
EC 2.37
TDS 1650
Salt weight 3244 mg/L

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hey fatman been waiting to get ahold of you.

i just wanted to talk more about hydro system, i really like the under current ones you posted.

ooops, my bad. A teaspon is just short of 5ml. I do not remember my silica post specifically. What page or reply # is it. If I remember right most sodium silicate is sold at a 40% solution and you want a 0.1% solution. But typically fertilizer is 100X concentrate so that means a 10 percent solution in the concentartes before dilutio. IE that means you mix your fertilizer usng 1/2 gallon of the 40% sodium silicate solution as part of the water for the 1 gallon of Part B of each of your formulations (Grow and Bloom). That means your bloom or grow when diluted 100 to 1 will make 200 gallons of fertilzer of each. IE 200 gallons of Grow and 200 gallons of Bloom. Each will contain 0.1% sodium silica. Is 0.1% the right amount. Opinions vary, but 0.1% is the amount used by Botanicare in their new Power Premium hydro nutrients.

I think the first time is in reply #59. it has been copied a couple times throughout the thread though.

pp69

fatman7574 said:

opps, my bad. A teaspon is just short of 5ml. I do not remember my silica post specifically. What page or reply # is it.

Click to expand...

sdkid said:

hey fatman been waiting to get ahold of you.

i just wanted to talk more about hydro system, i really like the under current ones you posted.

Click to expand...

Empty some space in your PM service as it is too full to take a message.

Hello fatman,
I've been looking at these numbers for better then 1 hour now and can't wrap my thick skull around them.
I believe you want about 100 ppm of silicate per gallon. If I try to do the calculations (as I understand them, may not be right) I calculate that you would need about .946 grams per gallon of res water. With part a&b making 200 gallons, I thought it would take about 200 grams (gram = ml right???). So that would be about 6.6 oz or so. I don't understand where you come up with 1/2gallon or 64 oz. That sounds like 10 times the amount.

HELP
pp69

fatman7574 said:

If I remember right most sodium silicate is sold at a 40% solution and you want a 0.1% solution. But typically fertilizer is 100X concentrate so that means a 10 percent solution in the concentartes before dilutio. IE that means you mix your fertilizer usng 1/2 gallon of the 40% sodium silicate solution as part of the water for the 1 gallon of Part B of each of your formulations (Grow and Bloom). That means your bloom or grow when diluted 100 to 1 will make 200 gallons of fertilzer of each. IE 200 gallons of Grow and 200 gallons of Bloom. Each will contain 0.1% sodium silica. Is 0.1% the right amount. Opinions vary, but 0.1% is the amount used by Botanicare in their new Power Premium hydro nutrients.

Click to expand...

I think I got the silicate figured out. Now I come up with 66 oz. closer to what you said from the git go.

pp69

pikes peak 69 said:

Hello fatman,
I've been looking at these numbers for better then 1 hour now and can't wrap my thick skull around them.
I believe you want about 100 ppm of silicate per gallon. If I try to do the calculations (as I understand them, may not be right) I calculate that you would need about .946 grams per gallon of res water. With part a&b making 200 gallons, I thought it would take about 200 grams (gram = ml right???). So that would be about 6.6 oz or so. I don't understand where you come up with 1/2gallon or 64 oz. That sounds like 10 times the amount.

HELP
pp69

Click to expand...

It was just top of the head estimate. I just figured that each gallon of concentrate will make 100 gallons. So 200 gallons total. For 0.1 % if the sodium silicate was 0.1% You would need to 200 gallons of sodium silicate, but the sodium silicate is 40% so therefore 400 times that strong. That would be 1/4 of a gallon per Part A 1/4 and 1/4 gallon for Part B. IE 946 ml per each. At 128 ouncs per gallon that means 32 ounces in each 1 gallon bottle of concentrate.

But there are two types of fertilizer nutrients Grow amd Bloom. It took 1/2 gallon total for the above say Grow two part. Now we need the same for the Bloom.

Ie that means 1/2 gallon for the Bloom and 1/2 gallon for the Grow. One gallon total. Or add it to the reservoir at 9.46 ml per gallon.

Got it!!
Thanks
pp69

I would like to thank you Fatman, I have been sucking hind teat as it were, using big mikes product's. I however am not ready to step up my game as of yet, so I went with the Dyna- gro... All the products for a grow start to finish out the door for less then a C note in my world is sweet! Kind of funny when you hold a bottle of this up to a "pro plan" nute line it's One bottle vs A&B and 6 quarts of additives. Thanks + reps if I knew how...

hellbent said:

I would like to thank you Fatman, I have been sucking hind teat as it were, using big mikes product's. I however am not ready to step up my game as of yet, so I went with the Dyna- gro... All the products for a grow start to finish out the door for less then a C note in my world is sweet! Kind of funny when you hold a bottle of this up to a "pro plan" nute line it's One bottle vs A&B and 6 quarts of additives. Thanks + reps if I knew how...

Click to expand...

Glad to help. To give rep you just click on the little star at the bottom left hand corner of the reply, next to where it ssys Journal this post.