Lowrydin, I will answer your questions and I am sure kushy wont mind as we are all growing together, literally! LOL As for the root stimulor bro, thats the best thing you can give the AF.If one step you dont wanna miss, its the root stim. The Big Bloom you mention is basically a root stim so just use it from seed to 6 weeks every watering. Full strength is fine, but 50% will work too. As for the Tiger Bloom bro, the only complaint I have is what you said, the pH is a bitch to get right. I have to let my girlfriend do it now so i dont get frustrated.LOL I think you could run without it, but your gonna want one of the solubles in its place if so. I chose Beastie Bloomz. I am gonna run it with a few of my new Diesel Ryders without the Tiger Bloom to see. But, I can say this, if you dont use tiger bloom then get something like the formentioned to boost phosporus bc I could really tell a big difference in resin production when switching to the tiger bloom and beastie. The only thing I use the first 2.5 to 3 weeks is the root stim and water, which your Big Bloom will be perfect....hope this helps...thx for letting us all bond in your thread kushy!