Hydroponics Nutrients and Newbie Questions

[budderface]

Hello everyone. I’m a new grower dipping my toe in the world of DWC hydroponics.

I don’t understand how to accurately get a ppm count. I’m sorry if this is a stupid question, but how do you assess your nutrient levels at any given time? I can really only confirm ph, chlorine, and basic water testing levels.

Does bucket size matter? I have one in a 2G bucket now and other in a 5G bucket using DWC. Any need to go larger?

What are the first visual signs to alert you that there is some type of watering, light, etc. problems? I’m too reactive and would like to stay ahead of problems. I didn’t realize how much fun growing is but there’s a lot to learn.

Appreciate any advice or wisdom you can send my way.

 

[ArtfulCodger]

Welcome to the Farm. Starting in hydro is a bold choice. Hydro offers big yields, but the risks are higher and things can go downhill faster. The typical way to know nutrient levels is with a TDS (total dissolved solids) meter/pen. You'll also hear them referred to as "EC" (electrical conductivity) or "PPM" (parts per million) pens.

I don't run DWC, so I'll leave those questions to the experts. With regard to light, our plants are fantastic light meters. Plants that are happy with the light level are vibrant green, and the leaves are flat and level. Edge curl, taco-ing, canoe-ing, twisting, and any color other than green suggest there's too much light. If your plants are healthy and praying an hour before lights-out, they can handle more light.

 

[budderface]

Welcome to the Farm. Starting in hydro is a bold choice. Hydro offers big yields, but the risks are higher and things can go downhill faster. The typical way to know nutrient levels is with a TDS (total dissolved solids) meter/pen. You'll also hear them referred to as "EC" (electrical conductivity) or "PPM" (parts per million) pens.

I don't run DWC, so I'll leave those questions to the experts. With regard to light, our plants are fantastic light meters. Plants that are happy with the light level are vibrant green, and the leaves are flat and level. Edge curl, taco-ing, canoe-ing, twisting, and any color other than green suggest there's too much light. If your plants are healthy and praying an hour before lights-out, they can handle more light.

Thank you! I will be headed over to Amazon shortly.

 

[jadins_journey]

no need to break the bank on meters, basic testing meters $25 for a set ph & PPM

 

[Imzzaudae]

So your question.
In order to know just how much fertilizer you are adding to your solution.
N-P-K on your label. Fox Farm Gro big is 6-4-4

Lets start with (N) Nitrogen.
In order to calculate this you need to understand this.
1 liter weighs 1,000 grams there are 1,000 mg in 1 gram. 1,000 X 1,000 mg in 1 liter.
An easy way to calculate this is 200 X 1teaspoon in 1 liter.
15 mg = 1 teaspoon.

Lets look at Gro big.

6 X 10,000 = 60,000 ppm per liter of Nitrogen in this bottle.
So lets divide 60,000 buy 200 times. 15ml of Gro big in 1 liter water.
60,000 ÷ 200 = 300 ppm N, divide 300 buy 2 L of water and have 150ppm N in 2 Liters water.
As you are using a 20L bucket.
You may want to use this formula. There are 68 tablespoons in 1 liter, each Tablespoon =15ml.
60,000 ÷ 68 = 882 PPM N per liter. You can divide this but 3.78 to get ppm per gallon.
882 ÷ 3.78 = 233 PPM per Gallon.
With this you can calculate any NPK number and know just how much Nitrogen Phosphorus or Potassium
you are adding to your bucket.
Target 200ppm Nitrogen per liter.
200 ÷ .06 = 3,3333.333.
Move the decimal point 2 places to the left. = 3.3 ml per liter x 3.78 = 12.74 ml per gallon should give you 200ppm N

Hope this was the answer you where looking for.

 

[budderface]

So your question.
In order to know just how much fertilizer you are adding to your solution.
N-P-K on your label. Fox Farm Gro big is 6-4-4

Lets start with (N) Nitrogen.
In order to calculate this you need to understand this.
1 liter weighs 1,000 grams there are 1,000 mg in 1 gram. 1,000 X 1,000 mg in 1 liter.
An easy way to calculate this is 200 X 1teaspoon in 1 liter.
15 mg = 1 teaspoon.

Lets look at Gro big.

6 X 10,000 = 60,000 ppm per liter of Nitrogen in this bottle.
So lets divide 60,000 buy 200 times. 15ml of Gro big in 1 liter water.
60,000 ÷ 200 = 300 ppm N, divide 300 buy 2 L of water and have 150ppm N in 2 Liters water.
As you are using a 20L bucket.
You may want to use this formula. There are 68 tablespoons in 1 liter, each Tablespoon =15ml.
60,000 ÷ 68 = 882 PPM N per liter. You can divide this but 3.78 to get ppm per gallon.
882 ÷ 3.78 = 233 PPM per Gallon.
With this you can calculate any NPK number and know just how much Nitrogen Phosphorus or Potassium
you are adding to your bucket.
Target 200ppm Nitrogen per liter.
200 ÷ .06 = 3,3333.333.
Move the decimal point 2 places to the left. = 3.3 ml per liter x 3.78 = 12.74 ml per gallon should give you 200ppm N

Hope this was the answer you where looking for.

Wow, this is amazing and appreciate your time breaking it down. Thank you so much!