Hydroponics Questions

[TriPurple]

Couple of things I was wondering about. 1) When switching the lights from 24 hrs. to 18 hrs. Almost always notice for about 2 or 3 nodes there are one leafers coming out instead of 5 or 7 then goes to normal. Should a gradual light decrease be made 22 to 20? .................... 2) When measuring PPM in pure water the nutrient solution doesn't change the PH........ so when measuring PPM in water added with PH-up it is at a 700 reading. Nutrient direction call for 1400 .... should it be raised to 2100 to compensate? Thanks.

 

[Illegal Smile]

1. stay at 24 hrs

2. there is no reason why pH up or down should change ppms, something else is going on there

 

[TriPurple]

When going from 24 to 12 it does the same thing one leafers for about 2 or 3 nodes. The reason I went to 18 is because it's less prevalent from 18 to 12. My PPM meter is old what's a good way to check it? It reads 0 in pure water. My hard water reads at about 250. Thanks

 

[StinkBud]

If your water is at 700 PPM out of the tap you need to use an R.0. machine (reverse osmosis) to purify the water. Anything over 200 PPM is bad.

Buy a large plastic trash can. Fill it with RO water and use that to water your plants.

StinkBud

 

[TriPurple]

Thanks SB .....will have to do that.

 

[tibberous]

2. there is no reason why pH up or down should change ppms, something else is going on there

Completely wrong.

Take a cup of water, measure the ppm.

Add ph up, the ppm increases.

Sometimes I'm worried by how incorrectly even simple questions are answered.

 

[Illegal Smile]

Completely wrong.

Take a cup of water, measure the ppm.

Add ph up, the ppm increases.

Sometimes I'm worried by how incorrectly even simple questions are answered.

Unless you are using some lousy pH up, there are simply no dissolved solids in it. This is a matter of chemistry, not opinion.

 

[tibberous]

Unless you are using some lousy pH up, there are simply no dissolved solids in it. This is a matter of chemistry, not opinion.

It's General Hydroponics ph down.

Do a test, pretty easy to see the results.

 

[Illegal Smile]

It's General Hydroponics ph down.

Do a test, pretty easy to see the results.

yes, I did it. No change. And mine is GH as well.

 

[ATL HYDRO]

I use a high dollar ph down, (advanced nutrients), and it does add to the ppm slightly. Anything that isnt pure water adds to ppm.

As for his questions, there is no need for gradual change to 12-12. And you have to add your nutrient solution first, then check ph and add ph up or down if necessary. Then check your ppm and make sure you are within a reasonable range.

 

[TriPurple]

When I go from 24 to 12 there is a slight deformity in the leaves for 2 or 3 nodes ( one (1) leaf instead of the normal 5 or 7 ). Does anyone else have this problem? I guess my other question is since ph does effect the ppm do you compensate by adding more nutrient? Alt Hydro is right anything added to pure water will increase ppm.

 

[TriPurple]

Tibberous My GH ph down increases the ppm on my ppm meter also. I.S. .... if you stick your meter in ph down only I bet you will get a reading.

 

[JJFOURTWENTY]

First off you need to invest in a decent reader. Bluelab and Milwaukee are both pricey but will easily become THE most essential tool you'll use in hydro. Don't skimp on a combo meter!

 

[TriPurple]

First off you need to invest in a decent reader. Bluelab and Milwaukee are both pricey but will easily become THE most essential tool you'll use in hydro. Don't skimp on a combo meter!

I have the Truncheon it was $100 about 20 years ago.