I've always used the saturator (penetrator) and it's never failed for me. I've never tried it without. If you get it, search ebay and try to find a sample size. You only use 2.5 ml of saturator to 8oz of reverse, and 4 oz. is enough to spray a decent size indoor plant. Your saturator will most likely go bad before you use even 1/4 of it. Try to find the sampler size and save some $$. Unless you foliar feed, then you can use the saturator in that too.