Help with My Sick Ladies

ppm is fine, for most strains. Your pH is too high for hydro. Most agree the best range for hydro is 5.7-6.1. If it's an ebb-n-flow, your rez temp isn't as crucial as it would be in DWC, but I still like mine to be from 65-67 in order that it holds more oxygen.

altitudefarmer said:

ppm is fine, for most strains. Your pH is too high for hydro. Most agree the best range for hydro is 5.7-6.1. If it's an ebb-n-flow, your rez temp isn't as crucial as it would be in DWC, but I still like mine to be from 65-67 in order that it holds more oxygen.

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I agree but why would the PH be going up? It is ebb-n-flow. Any thoughts on nitrogen deficiency?

No way they're N deficient, at 600 ppms of a complete nutrient. Did you condition the hydroton before you ran the system? it takes a bit for the pH to drop if you don't prep the expanded clay. There's a thread here on the farm somewhere to describe the procedure. Underfeeding can also cause the pH to rise, but I don't think that's the problem here. You'll have to be the one to make the final call; I've offered my humble opinion only- :)
Stay on that pH like a stormtrooper... Peace

CJ, in no way am I a pro like others on the amazing site, but I would like to add the following info; imvho, I also think it's not enough nutes over all. In the past I've ran organic nutes and now fir the first time have deviated from that with the H&G line ( coco) in chow mix ( 50% hydroton/ 50% coco, and on the first feeding I was freaked out how how the ppm were with the recommended nutes, with organics I was at 400 ppm on my very sativa Jack Herer (rip) and 700 ony very indica bb x whitewidow, with H&g I was more than double that and they loved it! I'm starting to realize ppm is not ppm, meaning it can vary by nute manufacture. I hope this helps.
Confu...

Also, with a second look at ur pics, I c what looks like hydroton dust caked on u the side of ur flood table? Af might b on to something I.e. Did u flush hydroton, it took me forever to do to mine!

altitudefarmer said:

No way they're N deficient, at 600 ppms of a complete nutrient. Did you condition the hydroton before you ran the system? it takes a bit for the pH to drop if you don't prep the expanded clay. There's a thread here on the farm somewhere to describe the procedure. Underfeeding can also cause the pH to rise, but I don't think that's the problem here. You'll have to be the one to make the final call; I've offered my humble opinion only- :)
Stay on that pH like a stormtrooper... Peace

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Only washed the hydroton. One thing I forgot to mention is these plants were just added 3 days ago because dumb me burnt their predecessors with light too low. System has been up and running for 12 days. Have not changed nutes yet. PPM are holding steady.

Confuten1 said:

Also, with a second look at ur pics, I c what looks like hydroton dust caked on u the side of ur flood table? Af might b on to something I.e. Did u flush hydroton, it took me forever to do to mine!

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I did flush with tap water. Thought I got them clean.

Confuten1 said:

CJ, in no way am I a pro like others on the amazing site, but I would like to add the following info; imvho, I also think it's not enough nutes over all. In the past I've ran organic nutes and now fir the first time have deviated from that with the H&G line ( coco) in chow mix ( 50% hydroton/ 50% coco, and on the first feeding I was freaked out how how the ppm were with the recommended nutes, with organics I was at 400 ppm on my very sativa Jack Herer (rip) and 700 ony very indica bb x whitewidow, with H&g I was more than double that and they loved it! I'm starting to realize ppm is not ppm, meaning it can vary by nute manufacture. I hope this helps.
Confu...

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Really think I need more nutes?

^^^ I hesitated to even chime in, I jus wanted to share my experience, I'm sure much more qualified peep from the farm will drop some knowledge on this. I jus started running H&g and the comparatively high ppm was the firs thing I noticed.
Btw u helped me with my room build ac question, thanks man!!
Confu...

Confuten1 said:

^^^ I hesitated to even chime in, I jus wanted to share my experience, I'm sure much more qualified peep from the farm will drop some knowledge on this. I jus started running H&g and the comparatively high ppm was the firs thing I noticed.
Btw u helped me with my room build ac question, thanks man!!
Confu...

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Glad I could help. I got PH down to 6.4. Just added more Mad Farmer PH Down. I think I have been too careful with the PH Down and not getting PH down quickly. I started with PH of 5.8 which H&G wants prior to adding additives. I did not check after I added additives. PH has been up for days. I will get it down quickly. I think this may be causing the plant to not uptake nitrogen. I am just guessing a little. I did read the stickys at beginning of this forum. That is what I am basing my diagnosis on. BTW the hydroton dust is very minimal. I went and looked at the plants. I think the pics are not as clear as possible.Would not washing hydroton well enough cause PH problems? And if so will I have problems thru out this grow until I rewash the hydroton? Or will PH stay down once I get it down? Thanks in advance.

altitudefarmer said:

No way they're N deficient, at 600 ppms of a complete nutrient. Did you condition the hydroton before you ran the system? it takes a bit for the pH to drop if you don't prep the expanded clay. There's a thread here on the farm somewhere to describe the procedure. Underfeeding can also cause the pH to rise, but I don't think that's the problem here. You'll have to be the one to make the final call; I've offered my humble opinion only- :)
Stay on that pH like a stormtrooper... Peace

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First pic you have is what mine do w the pH is off.

AF has it going on... pH of the rocks is usually a bit high out of the bag... and the pH of tap is also usually high.

I'd drain your rez... top flush w your nute solution pH'd to around 5.6~5.8... then keep top flushing until it drains out the same pH. Dump all the run off... mix a new rez to the same pH & run it.

Should notice an improvement w/in a day or two. gl bro

Well got PH down to 5.7 now and ppm at 590. So I'll wait and see what the next day or 2 brings. Unfortunately don't have time today to flush and change rez. Plan was to change rez tomorrow night. Will check tonight after turkey day festivities. Thanks for all the help. I'll keep ya posted.

If your pH stays right there, you'll be all good, I'm thinking you'll have to change the solution, though, or that pH will continue to drift up.

I use H&G and have had great success! PH your water only after you add Cocos A and B, then add the rest of the nutes and don't pH. The pH will fluctuate after the other additives and will take about a half hour to balance out again. I was pHing my water after the additives and adjusting it again, and by the next day the pH would be so far off I couldn't figure out why. I read the pamphlet (directions are an amazing thing), and it says not to pH the water after the rest of your additives are in. Thanks for all your knowledgeable posts! I'm learning a lot!

Quick update. I got the ph under control. Very little drift and staying under 6.1. The girls are loving it. They have tripled in size.

Mag problem

I think you might have been running a little low on the Aqua A and B. Boost it up a little bit by maybe 1 or 2 ml/gal. Also, are you running tap water or ro water? If you are running ro water, make sure you add cal mag in first at 3-5 ml/gal. And make sure you shake the bottles up before you pour the nutrients in. Hope your plants get better. It is super frustrating I know!

I forgot to add that you are running your pH a little high. Bring it down to about 5.8. See if that helps. Make sure you mix the nutes correctly according to the H&G recommendations. First mix in the cal/mag, stir, mix in A mix and let stand, then mix in B and let stand, adjust pH then add in your supplements ie root xcel and drip clean.