Questions with H&G Aqua Flakes Formulation for Bloom and pH Stability

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UCMENOW

UCMENOW

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Attention fellow Farmers.

1) Looking to start a dialog to help deal with the issues caused by the excess of N in the Aqua Flakes. I realize they recommend additives to manipulate the ratios but there still seems to be issues with excessive leaf tissue growth during bloom.

Though this may be tolerable for different methods it really seems to be a problem in UC grows given the enhanced availability of the nute solution...I guess? Big, lush veg plants give me warm fuzzies to look at, but every grower is looking for well developed spears of Shiva, Kush, Affy, etc.

2) As of late especially, pH fluctuations seem to be the norm more so than an occasional hiccup. I personally struggled with the pH enough that I kicked the Flakes to the curb. The pH yoyo game might sound fun to pre schoolers but if you grow meds it sucks.

3) Why isn't there a Aqua Flakes Bloom....seems like a silly question to have to ask but apparently it needs to be addressed?


All input is appreciated as the Aqua Flakes are used by lots of growers and we need to determine whether or not it's compatible with the UC. Like I'd mentioned in another thread, the cats at CC have paused recommending it based on the frequency of people having issues with it.

Farmers please chime in.
 
RollinEndough

RollinEndough

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To think Ben just pumped out 24kw of Tailpipe Kush makes my stomach churn. That's a lot of potentially unsatisfied customers.

I was always led to believe a proper flush would remove the nasty flavor of nutrients but here and in a thread I started on the subject of flavor it seems otherwise.

Good on ya for letting people know the nitty gritty on one of the most recommended products in this sub-forum.
 
UCMENOW

UCMENOW

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Harsh reality, harsh fruit....6 or half a dozen?

Had the pleasure of sharing some of Ben's fruit and he did it proper....but he's a master grower and knows the tricks of the trade to avoid "bitter bud face".

Flushing seems to only influence the fert residuals, where as the herbs are built from the photo synthesis spurred on by the minerals provided in the nutes.

The plant draws in the mineral cocktail, uses what it needs to create a photosynthetic reaction, what is not used is either stored in a usable form or becomes a constituent of the plant tissue.

Once tied into the plant tissue, flushing is unable to dislodge the input....leaving it to be released during the burning of the plant material.

You can liken this to a high performance fuel that can make a motor perform well but exhausts a lot of noxious waste not used in the combustion reaction. This "exhaust" equates to being the residual stored in the plant tissue...yuck.

Fact is this can happen in organic plants as well, ever tasted fruit grown with Bio Bizz Bloom? Awesome yields for organics but the fruit tastes charry. IMO
 
M

Max Powers

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0
I just finished my first UC run with H+G, after switching from DM on a friends recommendation, and I won't be using it again. I've used their base and adds for a couple coco and rockwool grows, and have never been really happy with the flavor/smell. I chalked it up to the mediums not flushing well and figured the UC might give different results, but still less than ideal.
Also, I think the extra N is definitely not helpful for UC growing, I had tons of bushy growth in flower (despite training, supercrop, etc.) with and very few big colas.
This next run I'll be returning to Dutch Masters to see how that goes..
 
QuarterbackMo

QuarterbackMo

810
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I just finished my first UC run with H+G, after switching from DM on a friends recommendation, and I won't be using it again. I've used their base and adds for a couple coco and rockwool grows, and have never been really happy with the flavor/smell. I chalked it up to the mediums not flushing well and figured the UC might give different results, but still less than ideal.
Also, I think the extra N is definitely not helpful for UC growing, I had tons of bushy growth in flower (despite training, supercrop, etc.) with and very few big colas.
This next run I'll be returning to Dutch Masters to see how that goes..

:( you guys are hurting my feelings what a horrible thing to hear I thought h&g was going to be the winner.
 
U

U C Truth

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FUCK HOUSE AND GARDEN NEVER Stabalizes and creates to much build up and crap in my systems.... Dutch Master seems to run far more stable in my systems, side by side dutch master and H&G grows going.... had a slow start in both rooms but got the room with dutchmaster on point and the room with House and Garden took a shit and I junked, to many live bacterias protein build up and potential for root rot or unhealthy environment, ect IMO... Keep water clear as much as possible in the UC System is my take!!!

Heres my Nut Menu for my Blackberry Kush, Deadhead OG, LA Con and Purple AK Im running now and seems to be working well....

Veg 4 Weeks (needed because of topping, FIM, and super cropping to create as many tops as possible)

Dutchmaster Gold A and B Grow
Cal Mag
Zone
Root Excelerator
Silica Blast


All at 1/3 to 1/2 strength

Start PPMs if you are coming out of and ez cloner at 600 worked great for me and up to 800 through veg (I am using RO water thou so if no RO than bump PPM up 100 IMO)

Flower PPM should range from 900 to 1400 IMO

First 2 weeks of flower 1/3 strength across the board

Weeks 3 to 6 3/4 to Full Strength

Week 7 Full Strength Drop most of the A&B and Cal Mag (get out Nitrogen)

Week 8 Lower PPM to 300 for 4 days and 0 PPM for last 3-7 days...and only 11 hours of light....

Dutch Master Gold A & B Flower WK 1-8
H&G Root Excel Week 1-2 of Flower
DM Add .27 WK 1-6
AN Kushie Kush (This product is like Voodo Juice and Big Bud in One) Wk 1-6
Cal Mag 1-6 (Maybe 7 if I see yellowing to soon)
AN Bud Candy Wk 1-7
Mother of all Bloom Wk 6 and 7
H&G Drip Clean Wk 1-8 (not as foamy as Zone through flower)



Just my thoughts after many hours with the UC Guys, I believe the Nut Menu is a safe bet for the UC System.... I would run the same as above with the Canna line just replace the DM A&b's with Canna A&B's and probably be okay as well (but I CHOOSE DM).....
 
TheBioMaster

TheBioMaster

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Agreed......H&G is to much work and the PH yoyo game is no fun at all as UCMENOW mentioned. Tried all different types of ratios trying to get PH stable but no matter what......tried mixing different ratios of tap and RO...tried different ratios of EC levels....nothing worked or helped....plants are green and healthy and as far as nitrogen in flower, science is telling us now that more nitrogen in flower is a good thing....but H&G over does it........

Having to accomodate a seperate mixing area so you can "wait" after adding different parts is no fun either......way to much work and to many other options for the UC that work way better imho......they have some good products like drip clean and some of the other additives are as good or better than others......but overall, to much work and PH is to unstable..........even the fine folks at CC were having PH issues and experienced users like UCMENOW also stated they had PH issues.....sooooo......I thinks that a wrap for H&G.......

So far from testing, Ionic, DM and Canna all give ROCK solid PH and are WAY easier to use and mix in general than H&G.
 
QuarterbackMo

QuarterbackMo

810
93
My ph stays stable I add my calmag first and use ro water then I add part a and wait for 15 min and part b for 15 min then I ph with gh ph up diluted in a shotglass filled with ro water and add all my supplements it's stable so far.
 
QuarterbackMo

QuarterbackMo

810
93
Maybe your ph is swinging cuz you have your airpump in your co2 enriched room or because your water level is so high your getting hydroton dust in your system. My h&g is treating me good in uc so far I even use the algen extract and still have no problems.
 
UCMENOW

UCMENOW

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83
Good discussion going on so far.

QB, heads up as even if you can stabilize your pH be aware of the sub par flowering with the H&G.....consider manipulating the NPK ratio for best results. IMO
 
QuarterbackMo

QuarterbackMo

810
93
Good discussion going on so far.

QB, heads up as even if you can stabilize your pH be aware of the sub par flowering with the H&G.....consider blooming with Canna or DM. IMO

I appreciate the heads up. You wouldn't happen to have any comparision photos would you? I would like to see the same cut side by side with h&g vs somebody else (canna, dm).
 
TrichromeFan

TrichromeFan

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83
I would love to hear Benderdundat's theories on this topic. As one of the most accomplished growers in the UC, and using the H&G line, I would love to hear if it is some expert techniques that made it work, or if somebody like the rest of us could make that line work.

I use the H&G in a RDWC, and truthfully I personally couldn't say anything plus or minus, since it is my first grow of that style, and with those nutes. They seemed fine, till I screwed things up myself. I do notice a lot of residue in my tanks at the water line and above. It was told to me recently that it was the roots excel falling out in a highly oxygenated environment. I will cut it out for a bit, and see how the residue goes.

-TF
 
UCMENOW

UCMENOW

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83
I appreciate the heads up. You wouldn't happen to have any comparision photos would you? I would like to see the same cut side by side with h&g vs somebody else (canna, dm).

Sounds like Truth will be weighing in with a side by side soon.
 
QuarterbackMo

QuarterbackMo

810
93
I would love to hear Benderdundat's theories on this topic. As one of the most accomplished growers in the UC, and using the H&G line, I would love to hear if it is some expert techniques that made it work, or if somebody like the rest of us could make that line work.

I use the H&G in a RDWC, and truthfully I personally couldn't say anything plus or minus, since it is my first grow of that style, and with those nutes. They seemed fine, till I screwed things up myself. I do notice a lot of residue in my tanks at the water line and above. It was told to me recently that it was the roots excel falling out in a highly oxygenated environment. I will cut it out for a bit, and see how the residue goes.

-TF

I would also like to hear what bd has to say and how he feeds his plants with h&g. I saw his og grow and I remember him saying it was in his top 5 ever. BD if your reading this can you please chime in and tell us all how you do it? Expert advice from an expert grower on h&g is what needs to happen to make this work in the uc. I really don't want to believe h&g sucks in flower because my plants in veg love it. BD please come pimp my ride lol.
 
UCMENOW

UCMENOW

1,095
83
Aside from the pH headache H&G may have the best veg nute on the market, unfortunately they also expect this formula to bloom as well?

IMO...step it up H&G and make an Aqua Flakes bloom already.
 
TrichromeFan

TrichromeFan

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83
I did think it funny that H&G uses the same nute through veg and flower. Only difference is the additives. Maybe I'm old school, but I always had a totally different formula for straight flower.
 
F

f1ydave

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nobody has mentioned it but H&G has a bloom line, only available in UK and Netherlands...
 
UCMENOW

UCMENOW

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83
I did think it funny that H&G uses the same nute through veg and flower. Only difference is the additives. Maybe I'm old school, but I always had a totally different formula for straight flower.

Your not old school.....you just know what works brother.

F1y....didn't realize this, good find. H&G, what's up.....USA likes to flower properly too ;)
 
QuarterbackMo

QuarterbackMo

810
93
Your not old school.....you just know what works brother.

F1y....didn't realize this, good find. H&G, what's up.....USA likes to flower properly too ;)

Yeah WTF hg I want proper blooms
 
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