Live res, no real rez changes, only top off and add-backs. Never go above 800-900 ppm. Allow for pH swing anywhere between 5.2-6.7. Anything outside of that range, and there would be a need to either adjust or change the solution, depending on the plant/root health. I am always messing with my recipe, going for full flavor, playing with organics.
10 week strain:
Week 1-2:
H&G Aquaflakes A&B
Root Excelurator
Drip Clean
1/4-1/2 tsp per gal of MgSO4 (Epsom Salts...depends on the strain, ECSD loves this!)
Multizyme
Hygrozyme
EWC Tea
Sprinkle of 10-10-2 Guano
Sprinkle of
Great White or other hydro-friendly myco supplement
700-750 ppm
This kind of helps jump start em right after transplant!
Week 3:
H&G Aquaflakes A&B
Root Excelurator
Drip Clean
Bud XL
650-700ppm
If plants are stretching too much, 0.5 mL per gal of Bloombastic, if that!
Week 4-5:
H&G Aquaflakes A&B
Root Excelurator
Drip Clean
Bud XL
CalMag+
Bloombastic 1mL per gal
700-800ppm
The Bloombastic is the only thing that causes pH swing around this time, thats why I don't add it at recommended strength. The live cultures in Bloombastic seem to like to drop the pH, but don't worry, its not root rot, you just need to reinforce it with epsom salts and/or
calmag as a salt buffer, and then a live culture that raises pH, like the ewc tea, aquashield, etc. If ya feel the need, dump the res, or just pH up with Silica, and add Root Excel.
Week 6-7:
H&G Aquaflakes A&B
Root Excelurator
Drip Clean
Top Booster
CalMag+
800ppm
Week 8:
Dump 2/3-3/4 of res, fill with clean water, adjust pH
Hygrozyme
Drip Clean
EWC Tea (very little)
350-550 ppm
Week 9:
Flush with Drip Clean, sometimes a little bit of
Hygrozyme
150-250 ppm
Week 10:
Flush with only clean water
0-100 ppm
When doing a live res with no change-outs, Aquashield and Root Excel are your friends. I run it a bit longer than recommended, but it helps level off pH and keeps roots white & healthy till the end! I left out the Aquashield because I have been playing with or without it using the H&G line. I still prefer to add it, but it seems if I just add a few drops of Root Excel with every other top-off, add back...so peak bloom, around every 3-4 days, I get the same effect! I'm trying out a new bacillus source, called "Companion for Hydro". Its a bit thick and gunky, but supposedly made for hydro, and hella-concentrated....1 oz to 30 gals. Also, going to try adding Earth Ambrosia & Earth Nectar from week 1 at 1/4 tsp per gal each, and keep running it through until week 8.