+1
For further validation of the silica def comment, I only started using silica when I started growing again last year. I did so begrudgingly even simply because I've been around long enough to have seen a thousand snake oils come and go. Silica is the only thing I've used, aside from my PK booster of choice, that seems to have had any real noticeable impact on plant health.
With all the basics, plants will do their thing just fine. Adding silica just makes em structurally more sound, and seems to have positive benefits in alleviating stress symptoms. As
@Aqua Man said, get the basics in order, plants healthy, then once everything is stabilized entertain the idea of additional additives.
Digging further into the silica use topic.
In my system, I start with 12 gallons of tap water, pH ~8 and ~160ppm. I add 60ml of
protekt silica solution, allow to mix for 15-20 minutes. This drives the pH up to over 10, and increases ppm's by about 20-25. I then use on average 45ml of pH down (phosphoric acid) to get the pH to 6.5, then proceed adding the rest of my components (two part salts, then
hygrozyme). This puts my final pH at about 6.0-6.2. I pH down with an additional 10-15ml pH solution to hit 5.5.
The pH remains stable for the duration of the res, maybe dropping a little. When i eliminated the expired
hydroguard, I eliminated massive pH fluctuations. I equate the stability 100% to the silica's alkalinity. Without it, my tap simply isn't alkaline enough to keep the pH from nose-diving throughout a res cycle.