Using Silica in Hydroponics question

J

Jennygrows2

Member
So I thought I would try to incorporate silica into a hydroponics solution. The product is called Armor Si. NPK 0-0-4

Along with Micro, Bloom and Cal/mag I devised a formula close to Jacks Orchid (7-5-6)

I'm using tap water so the only way I can keep the silica from precipitating is to PH adjust the plain water to 5.5, add the silica and then add the other nutrients.

Issue is, this is a grow formula and with PPMs around 750 I have to add a lot of PH down to get the solution back to 5.5.

Question is, is this an issue? Is there a better way to go about things?
 
Cubes15128

Cubes15128

Well-Known Member
Toss the silica lol it's been known to make buds burn black. I use minimal amounts in my hydro bucket during veg just for Alil extra protection against heat but that's it. I use AN silica tho, no problems yet! And don't even have to adjust the ph! Stays right around 5.8. I use distilled water tho
 
J

Jennygrows2

Member
Cubes15128 said:
Toss the silica lol it's been known to make buds burn black. I use minimal amounts in my hydro bucket during veg just for Alil extra protection against heat but that's it. I use AN silica tho, no problems yet! And don't even have to adjust the ph! Stays right around 5.8. I use distilled water tho
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Thanks. I know it's not necessary but same as you it's a temp concern. I'm going to attempt a DWC at room temp. I have some reflective material but I expect the solution to get into the mid 70s if not a tad higher.

I'm just surprised at how much it raises the PH. I think I can manage to keep it dissolved in tap water but it takes a lot of acid to get the PH back down to 5.5, only using 1 cc of the Armor Si per gallon.

I'm also going to use Hydroguard so maybe it's not going to be an issue. I think I'll skip the silica for now and see how it goes
 
Cubes15128

Cubes15128

Well-Known Member
I had my dwc bucket in a Rubbermaid tub that I would fill with ice when I could but I couldn't keep up with it lol now I just run it room temp low 70s at night and up to 79 in the daytime. My Rez gets about 74-75f during the day. So far no root rot. I use Z7 every Rez change and give my roots a nice dip/gentle shake under water with h202 in it.

And yea that shit sucks lol the more buffers that are in your nutes/water the more ph adjusting solution u need to use
 
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