NeonTetra
Member
Have a sciencey question...
Is there a method for estimating the relative quantity of nutrients consumed in a hydroponics system? When my TDS drops by 100 ppm, how does that correspond to molar loss of nutrient constituents? I imagine some empirical formulas for vegetative vs. flowering growth.
I remember reading something about this in a hydro text book. It lets you top up a recycled nutrient solution with a slightly different formulation. You could get by with very infrequent reservoir change-outs and maintain a better nutrient balance. Plants probably have a pretty consistent relative consumption rate through each stage of growth. The reservoir would still be changed out, but maybe only once-a-month or less. I've read that the Lucas Formula recommends change-outs when the system has consumed a reservoir's worth of water, or when the pH becomes unstable. Makes for a simple, more infrequent approach to system maintenance.
Is there a method for estimating the relative quantity of nutrients consumed in a hydroponics system? When my TDS drops by 100 ppm, how does that correspond to molar loss of nutrient constituents? I imagine some empirical formulas for vegetative vs. flowering growth.
I remember reading something about this in a hydro text book. It lets you top up a recycled nutrient solution with a slightly different formulation. You could get by with very infrequent reservoir change-outs and maintain a better nutrient balance. Plants probably have a pretty consistent relative consumption rate through each stage of growth. The reservoir would still be changed out, but maybe only once-a-month or less. I've read that the Lucas Formula recommends change-outs when the system has consumed a reservoir's worth of water, or when the pH becomes unstable. Makes for a simple, more infrequent approach to system maintenance.