Nutrient Lock using Silica

[JustChillinLPA]

I am growing in hydro (DWC right now) and have a question about adding additional nutrients and Silica to a an existing reservoir.

So I know that I must add Silica then Cal-mag then Micro in that order and then all the rest doesn't really matter. So I have my initial reservoir with nutrients all mixed.
I'm using mostly GH Flora, not that this really matters.
The plants have used 50% of my solution and the PPMs have stayed pretty stable so I know the mix ratio of nutes to water is pretty spot on, so I need to add more water and nutes in the same ratio.

I think I understand that if I add Silica and/or Cal-Mag directly to my res. it will cause nutrient lock. However, if I mix a whole new batch, including Silica and CalMag in a separate container and then pour that into the existing res. solution is that OK or will it still cause nute lock?

On a different note, when I cut my nutes to 50% should I also be reducing all the supplements by 50%? I've tried it both ways, right now I'm cutting everything 50% except, the Silica, CalMag, and Hydroguard which I'm still adding at 100%.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[xtsho]

Skip the silica and don't worry about it. You don't need it anyway.

 

[budman111]

You don't need Silica but IME it helps for strong branching, buy pH neutral Silica and you have no probs at all, Canna flores has it in it.

 

[jimihendrix1]

We used silica a while back , and it caused the stigmas to turn brown. Wont be using it again.

Never had a problem like this before ( 45+ years worth of growing )

 

[fragileassassin]

I dont think youre supposed to do concentrated stock solutions with silica.
Also +1 in not really needing to add it. My nutrient has some in it, but I only use a silica additive for seedlings and clones. Once theyre transplanted into their veg system, they dont get it anymore.

 

[Lpena007]

Works for me

 

[xtsho]

We used silica a while back , and it caused the stigmas to turn brown. Wont be using it again.

Never had a problem like this before ( 45+ years worth of growing )

I had a similar experience with silica.

Works for meView attachment 4473173View attachment 4473174

That's just diluted potassium silicate. I've used silica. I bought a pound of soluble potassium silicate for $15. That would make gallons and gallons of that Silica Blast. Look at the percentages. Silica Blast is 2% silicon which means the potassium silicate I paid $15 for is 25 times more concentrated. That just shows what a cash cow these additives are for the nutrient companies. They buy the same stuff I did but in much larger quantities for much less due to volume discounts. They then dilute it by 1 part potassium silicate to 25 parts water. Put it in a bottle and charge $40 a gallon. Money in the bank baby. Money in the bank.

But the reason I stopped using it was because it's not needed. I like to run as lean as possible. Less is better. I'm not trying to grow thick tough stems I'm growing big dense flowers. Silica doesn't help with that. If the stems are not strong enough to support the flowers I grow then I provide support. I don't want tough, strong, fiber in my buds.

One pound water soluble 52.8% Silica Potassium Silicate. $15.

 

[JustChillinLPA]

Thanks for everyone's thoughts. I'm using GH Armor Si, so I don't think it's very strong, just the Potassium Silicate and some Potash. It has more Potash than the Silica Blast, but no where near as potent as that stuff @xtsho has. I opted to do a full dose (based on GH feeding sch.) during res. changes and then skip it with top offs. I like that it gives a little extra support, but definitely makes bending for LST a bit more challenging.