Cheap alternatives to overpriced hydroponic nutrients

[ttystikk]

Stupid question perhaps, but why not just dissolve sugar in hot water and use that? Carbs are carbs and I'm already giving my girls all the micros they need.

 

[El Cerebro]

i plan on making ACT teas.. just looking for the best deal

feed store is ~$15 for a 4gal pail

 

[Snowblind]

I buy Earthjuice HiBrix molasses quarts for $5.50 at the local hydro shop. I use it the last couple weeks of my 2k grow

This stuff shoots your ph way down! That effects my tea brewing, but would be perfect for flushing.

 

[Jdubman420]

This stuff shoots your ph way down! That effects my tea brewing, but would be perfect for flushing.

PH up is your friend!

 

[Snowblind]

I brew caps tea at a 6.5 ph. It takes a little ph up!

 

[Capulator]

This stuff shoots your ph way down! That effects my tea brewing, but would be perfect for flushing.

UNSULPHURED BLACK STRAP MOLASSES PEOPLE!!!!!!

won't mess with the pH and has all the mineral goodies plus carbs.

 

[Capulator]

ANYONE have any advice on buying molasses for smaller to med sized grows?????

the grocery store in the maple syrup section.

See above post!!!

 

[Snowblind]

UNSULPHURED BLACK STRAP MOLASSES PEOPLE!!!!!!

won't mess with the pH and has all the mineral goodies plus carbs.

Every brand ive tried has lowered my ph below 6.0, although the earth juice lowers it the most. Ive tried three different brands so far. I always have to add ph up to get to 6.5 which is where I like to be for some reason.

 

[Capulator]

Every brand ive tried has lowered my ph below 6.0, although the earth juice lowers it the most. I've tried three different brands so far. I always have to add ph up to get to 6.5 which is where I like to be for some reason.

the one from the grocery store? I use grandmas now it's like 4 bucks a jar.

 

[Snowblind]

Ive used wholesweetners and brer rabbit molassis. Ill try grandmas next.

 

[ttystikk]

If what we're really after is sugar to feed microbes, why not just feed them sugar? It's a lot less expensive.

 

[sicinsane]

the one from the grocery store? I use grandmas now it's like 4 bucks a jar.

this one?
http://www.amazon.com/Grandmas-Orig...=8-1&keywords=unsulphured+blackstrap+molasses

 

[LexLuthor]

If what we're really after is sugar to feed microbes, why not just feed them sugar1/? It's a lot less expensive.

Thats what I did with my last harvest, just plain cane sugar (kool-aid sugar) at about 1/4 tsp. per gal, but I forgot the exact amount I used. It worked fine for my plants and if you don't want or need the extra nutrients from molasses, I think pure cane sugar works just as good.

 

[Capulator]

this one? http://www.amazon.com/Grandmas-Original-Molasses-Natural-Unsulphured/dp/B0005XP1E2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1366865441&sr=8-1&keywords=unsulphured blackstrap molasses

thats the one/

 

[cheech]

Is the magnesium (epsom salts) necessary for the mix? How bout if you're running tap water? I know the jacks hydro is formulated for ro, but my tap is .2 ec.

Does the dry fertilizer absorb moisture in high humidity, which would throw off the weight of the mix?

I just received my order, and am starting day one of flower. Planning to run 3/2/1 through week 3 of flower then will have to figure out how to tweak the formula for the rest of flower. In a 40 gal rez gr33n l3eaf calculated the math to be 96g of Jacks, 64g Cal/Nit, and 32g of Mag to get 80% of the 3/2/1 formula. Does it sound like I'm on the right track?

 

[Capulator]

Is the magnesium (epsom salts) necessary for the mix? How bout if you're running tap water? I know the jacks hydro is formulated for ro, but my tap is .2 ec.

Does the dry fertilizer absorb moisture in high humidity, which would throw off the weight of the mix?

I just received my order, and am starting day one of flower. Planning to run 3/2/1 through week 3 of flower then will have to figure out how to tweak the formula for the rest of flower. In a 40 gal rez gr33n l3eaf calculated the math to be 96g of Jacks, 64g Cal/Nit, and 32g of Mag to get 80% of the 3/2/1 formula. Does it sound like I'm on the right track?

Yes the epsom is necessary. I don't think Jacks is not formulated for RO.

 

[turbo14]

Is the magnesium (epsom salts) necessary for the mix? How bout if you're running tap water? I know the jacks hydro is formulated for ro, but my tap is .2 ec.

Does the dry fertilizer absorb moisture in high humidity, which would throw off the weight of the mix?

I just received my order, and am starting day one of flower. Planning to run 3/2/1 through week 3 of flower then will have to figure out how to tweak the formula for the rest of flower. In a 40 gal rez gr33n l3eaf calculated the math to be 96g of Jacks, 64g Cal/Nit, and 32g of Mag to get 80% of the 3/2/1 formula. Does it sound like I'm on the right track?

After week 3

3-2-1 Plus .5 gram Jacks Classic Blossom Booster

Also add Silica @ 5ml per gallon.

My garden screamed on this setup and pulled damn near 2 a light all the way across the board.

turbo

 

[ttystikk]

After week 3

3-2-1 Plus .5 gram Jacks Classic Blossom Booster

Also add Silica @ 5ml per gallon.

My garden screamed on this setup and pulled damn near 2 a light all the way across the board.

turbo

That's a lot of silica- how did you use it and how did you keep your pH levels in check?

 

[turbo14]

That's a lot of silica- how did you use it and how did you keep your pH levels in check?

Silica is crucial in production. Silica was delivered via 5ml per gallon Pro Tekt silica into each tables rez. All reservoirs are checked twice per day with Bluelabs by my worker PH fluxes from 5.5 to 6.0 generally after 2 floods I have noticed.

turbo

 

[ttystikk]

Silica is crucial in production. Silica was delivered via 5ml per gallon Pro Tekt silica into each tables rez. All reservoirs are checked twice per day with Bluelabs by my worker PH fluxes from 5.5 to 6.0 generally after 2 floods I have noticed.

turbo

I run it too, but only 1-2ml/gal, due to out of control pH rise. Wondering how you get 5ml/gal into your system with crazy pH issues?