Hydroponic Research User Thread

[Smokey503ski]

In DWC hydro the plants are watered all the time

In F & D, I flood every 30 minutes during veg, and MAY extend to every hour during early flower, maybe 3-4 hours in heavy flower

I was typing as you posted.
Which formula are you using in the DWC?

 

[PhatNuggz]

I was typing as you posted.
Which formula are you using in the DWC?

I use HR RO for all hydro methods. Same strengths, but in my on DWC (bubble bucket) I have 3 air stones in ~ 1.5g nutes

 

[PhatNuggz]

Shine is the same thing as +Size just relabled. They had issues with labeling or something.
Not sure who the Grow Boss person is or his videos.
Curious to why you're so adamant on adding sulfur?
I always find it best to not add a bunch of outside stuff to a nutrient line. This way you know it works and aren't questioning why you're having issues with your crop down the road.

from what I have gathered, during veg you want less sulfur and more N: the opposite in flower, where the sulfur is used as a bloom booster.

V+B has 4.5% sulfur, the +Size and Shine contain 2%. Seems like the V+B should be ~ 2%, then kick it up in flower

Now it MAY be that as I typically stay under 1.5EC/~ 640ppm, that the high N during flower isn't that big a deal, BUT, a small change in ratios could have a big impact, so a 2 part where the flower has higher S and lower N seems closer to ideal. No?

 

[Smokey503ski]

from what I have gathered, during veg you want less sulfur and more N: the opposite in flower, where the sulfur is used as a bloom booster.

V+B has 4.5% sulfur, the +Size and Shine contain 2%. Seems like the V+B should be ~ 2%, then kick it up in flower

Now it MAY be that as I typically stay under 1.5EC/~ 640ppm, that the high N during flower isn't that big a deal, BUT, a small change in ratios could have a big impact, so a 2 part where the flower has higher S and lower N seems closer to ideal. No?

Not sure man. I know it works for me and I like it.
I honestly don't think it needs to be messed with.
All my leaves are praying, zero clawing.
I don't PH anything or even check it.
I really hope they keep it how it is and don't start making different veg and flower formulas.
Many people have been very successful with using them. Very easy to use and great results.
Sometimes less is more.

 

[Smokey503ski]

Now it MAY be that as I typically stay under 1.5EC/~ 640ppm, that the high N during flower isn't that big a deal, BUT, a small change in ratios could have a big impact, so a 2 part where the flower has higher S and lower N seems closer to ideal. No?

I don't know if it's the lighting, but it looks as if you might be light on your EC.
I find running a minimum of 1.8 ec has the best results for the strains I run.

 

[Smokey503ski]

Here is some more information that might clear a few things up.

Ammoniacal nitrogen is the type that negatively affects flowering. Ammonical nitrogen levels in VEG+BLOOM are low enough to not affect flowering in a negative way.
Carbon based (organic) nitrogen is great for brix production, it stimulates vascular activity and is a slower, more passive uptake.

 

[CelticEBE]

I used a blend of Tap and Dirty in Coco for about a year and a half.....with ZERO issues.

My current run is my first run with HD.....and I'd say it CRUSHED it!

For some reason I can't post pics right now.....will upload one later.

I'd say you are giving an opinion about the ratio's being wrong....but I really gotta tell ya, that the proof is in the pudding. If you can create a a one part powder that beats V+B.....I wanna see it.

 

[ill eagle]

I posted up pics years back running VB in a undercurrent. Couldn't fit more bud under a fixture. I just didn't get the frost I get with wool or coco

 

[PhatNuggz]

I posted up pics years back running VB in a undercurrent. Couldn't fit more bud under a fixture. I just didn't get the frost I get with wool or coco

There might have been other reasons for not getting the frost you want. I've seen someone discuss the potential problems in a UC setup. I F & D and use ornamental stones instead of messy hydroton

 

[PhatNuggz]

I don't know if it's the lighting, but it looks as if you might be light on your EC.
I find running a minimum of 1.8 ec has the best results for the strains I run.

Probably the lighting, or how I correct the colors before posting..

The TL hot5 LED has 4 red + 4 white, so it looks pink in the unprocessed pics

The TL D200 is on the cooler side of NW

The Amare SE 220 is pinkish with the rings turned on

Still, I might bump EC a touch

Thanks for all your help!

 

[cemchris]

I switched from CNS17 to V+B on flood tables in coco about half way through veg on this run round 2011/2012. Crushed it. Strait V+B nothing else.

 

[cemchris]

Then was using it in a DTW setup 5 gal on coco afterwards.

 

[cemchris]

Shitty phone pic but you get the idea. V+B, Life, & Shine. Little bit of push here and there.

 

[PhatNuggz]

My quest eventually led me to NPK Industries, formulators of Raw dry nutrients

I'm liking their Bloom formula and several amendments like Yucca, humic acid...

 

[ill eagle]

Damn your throwing all that into DWC? That system doesn't produce with lots of organics. I found the tap/hard VB the best for DWC I rocked .8ec local tap and maxed em out... No matter which way you rub it coco and wool dominate in flavor and rx

 

[CelticEBE]

White Fire Alien a week and a half before chop.

Coco.....no runoff.....fed V+B HD. I use a few other things, but in small amounts and only during certain stages. This round CRUSHED it! More than likely hit 2 per light with NO CO2.......just good old ocean air!!!

 

[PhatNuggz]

I found a website to buy raw nutrients, supposedly sold through a dealer network (haven't seen it in 2 listed). They have a better balanced grow formula, and a properly balanced bloom formula, plus, a few supplements like Humic and Yucca that I want to try

Search NPK Industries dot com

Just not sure it can be used for hydro, though it should, as H Smith is all about hydro.

Still, why doesn't the web site say so?

http://npk-industries.com/

and why am I looking elsewhere when my plants look like this?

Because flowering is where the magic is. The sat first pistils appeared ~ April 23

 

[Natural]

So far so good for me..terps are good..weight is good..buzz is over-all stronger..the best part is no nute taste..even feeding light with "organic" bottled nutes I can detect a nute taste. I did have some clawing on some of the light feeders..a cookie x and a dubb x..could be avoided with a lighter feed and more water..but in a perpetual with multiple strains that can be tough. I understand the simplicity value..but also think a veg line and bloom line 1 part wouldn't have made anything more complicated. I would of still valued the simplicity just the same.

 

[Onetwothree]

Alright guys, I'm taking the plunge into the HR world on my next run. I hope it's gonna live up to the hype. I usually build a super soil and feed only with ACT and the occasional nute tea. Results have been killer, but I'm always into mixing it up, after all if you're not trying new things and getting better at what you do, whats the point?

So I wanted to pick some of your brains out there as most of you guys seem to be in hydro set ups or coco based. I'm thinking about just going with peat moss and perlite and some EWC thrown in there for good measure. I've got the dirty V+B formula as well as Shine and Push on the way. My plan is to feed three times with V+B, then feed an ACT in between to boost the microbiology in the soil. Does that sound like a good idea, or is using ACT a waste of time with these nutes? Can the microbes created by the ACT feed survive doses of the V+B?

Also, I saw the feeding chart on instagram, is that a pretty solid starting point for soil? I'll probabaly ease them in slowly in veg before getting to the full 5 grams a week or two before flower. What ppm do you guys feel is too high? Also, I despise PHing, when using only teas I never have to do it, and the only reason to check PH would be if a plant is experienceing trouble that I can't figure out what's going on. I see some people are using this line without worrying about PH, is that the consensus?

 

[PhatNuggz]

What a difference a day makes!

Since my back up plants under the 8 bulb HOT5 decided to blow up (in a good way) over the last couple days + the 2 plants in my DIY Mini Me F & D are also exploding, the side wall was getting overcrowded.

I needed to add another bubble tote, which I had to place sideways (forming an L). To do this I needed 2 more 4" air stone discs. I also wanted to check out NPK Industries dry nutrients to use during flower, so I made a trip to my local hydro store. The owner was there (he and I have had a few discussions over the years) along with SunLite rep, and fortuitously, the president of Emerald Harvest, a nute company I had not heard of

After a 20 minute conversation with him about dry vs liquid and the importance of using 'live' water to mix, I left with Cali Bloom A & B, and will be gifted their bloom and rooting additives.

This morning I replaced the nutes from my 2 other tents with Cali Bloom as all 3 plants are blooming. Also I rigged up the other tote and moved a couple plants into it, and, I also defoled most of the biggest primary leafs.

I suggest you check out their site to see why I am so excited

I have 2 pounds of HR V+B which I will use for vegging, but not anymore for flowering


Check out my T5 LED Grow Thread