Ph is always around 6 it doesn’t tend to drift much
I use veg+bloom Ro soft. This is all I have ever used before and was fine. I added gypsum and Epsom salt last week upon recommendation here with no improvement
1000l nutrient reservoir
Mag/calcium deficiency?
- Thread starter SamWE19
- Start date
I use veg+bloom Ro soft. This is all I have ever used before and was fine. I added gypsum and Epsom salt last week upon recommendation here with no improvement
1000l nutrient reservoir
Dr. Who
Well-Known Member
The Ph doesn't drop? You don't adjust every other day or so?
264 gallons in the res.... AND you dump every week?
What type of hydro are you running? How many plants?
If your home growing. You should make your own Ca/Mg.... Take a look at this -
CalMag DIY
Watched some videos so thought I’d give it a try. Took about 7 egg shells ,cleaned ,then on the bbq about an hour at 350. Ground them up got about 1/3 of a cup. I’ve added 2/3 cup of white vinegar. Bubbling away. some say 5 parts vinegar to egg shells. Will add maybe another 1/3. So I’ll be...
www.rollitup.org
Ph changes very little over the period of the grow I assume it’s possibly due to stabilisers in the nutes or something. It may drop by a couple of points.
My last few grows I never dumped at all. I dumped and refreshed my veg room after 4 weeks of veg when plants moves to flower.
And I dumped flower res only after harvest so 8 weeks.
Never an issue before.
This time I’ve had these issues so I have dumped quite a lot of nutes to fix the issue. It’s 100 plants vertical nft/aero mix
Dr. Who
Well-Known Member
Now it makes more sense. It (pH) should rise actually but, that's more a rule of thumb for any recirculating or DWC style hydro...
I'll venture that if you do an actual cost to benefit check on that Co2. You may likely find that the return may not be worth the cost in that size an op.
It didn't in mine, none of them over the years, and the bigger the the op, the greater the gap...
I find gassing to be a small space/Tent growers option. I did use it in mass in greenhouse work, years ago, and that was not cannabis.
You don't really get any benefit in veg and in bloom? Well in large foot print space...Just could not justify the cost vs return.
The real bitch is your limiting factor of Ca/Mg brands to use... It's for sure a Ca/Mg issue. The point being, you need a water soluble Ca source that is cheap and effective...
Sources we have used in the past, or friends use(d) are linked as follows - hope one of these you can get your hands on/order
Biomin® Calcium, 1-0-0
OMRI Listed Biomin Calcium is chelated with amino and organic acids in a patented process enabling the calcium to be readily and efficiently absorbed. Many factors inhibit calcium uptake: too much sodium in the soil, alkaline soil (high pH), or other metals such as magnesium that react with...
www.arbico-organics.com
Calcium Magnesium Plus – Kelp4less
www.kelp4less.com
Organic Approach - Cal-Sea-Hum Liquid 5% Foliar Calcium Supplement
Cal-Sea-Hum Liquid 5% Foliar Calcium Supplement
www.organicapproach.com
I suggest checking Greenway Biotech for water soluble Ca source's. Anything for stopping "Blossom End Rot" will work for you.
You want to deliver on average 5% Ca
and
1.5% Mg To make a 1.5% solution from Epsom salts = right about 8.5 TBL of epsom...
I guess I'm going to say that unless you can source a usable hydro Ca source. Retire the gassing and go back to where everything worked!
Best of luck to you sir!
I know CN replied to thisNow it makes more sense. It (pH) should rise actually but, that's more a rule of thumb for any recirculating or DWC style hydro...
I'll venture that if you do an actual cost to benefit check on that Co2. You may likely find that the return may not be worth the cost in that size an op.
It didn't in mine, none of them over the years, and the bigger the the op, the greater the gap...
I find gassing to be a small space/Tent growers option. I did use it in mass in greenhouse work, years ago, and that was not cannabis.
You don't really get any benefit in veg and in bloom? Well in large foot print space...Just could not justify the cost vs return.
The real bitch is your limiting factor of Ca/Mg brands to use... It's for sure a Ca/Mg issue. The point being, you need a water soluble Ca source that is cheap and effective...
Sources we have used in the past, or friends use(d) are linked as follows - hope one of these you can get your hands on/order
Biomin® Calcium, 1-0-0
OMRI Listed Biomin Calcium is chelated with amino and organic acids in a patented process enabling the calcium to be readily and efficiently absorbed. Many factors inhibit calcium uptake: too much sodium in the soil, alkaline soil (high pH), or other metals such as magnesium that react with...www.arbico-organics.com
Calcium Magnesium Plus – Kelp4less
Organic Approach - Cal-Sea-Hum Liquid 5% Foliar Calcium Supplement
Cal-Sea-Hum Liquid 5% Foliar Calcium Supplement
I suggest checking Greenway Biotech for water soluble Ca source's. Anything for stopping "Blossom End Rot" will work for you.
You want to deliver on average 5% Ca
and
1.5% Mg To make a 1.5% solution from Epsom salts = right about 8.5 TBL of epsom...
I guess I'm going to say that unless you can source a usable hydro Ca source. Retire the gassing and go back to where everything worked!
Best of luck to you sir!
@cannabineer he has a 264 gallon reservoir. Would Gypsum still be a feasible and fiscally prudent solution?
I agree if you can't get the Ca under control I'd ditch the CO2. It's why I don't bother wish it. My grow is outside VPD parameters so CO2 would be wasted to a large degree.
cannabineer
Ursus marijanus
At less than $10 for a fifty-pound bag, I still think solution-grade gypsum is a good choice.
I can't remember if Dr. Who gave gypsum his blessing LOL. So was just sticking my nose in.
Dr. Who
Well-Known Member
@curious2garden @cannabineer
I question what else is he adding with the Gypsum though.....Don't want to be annoying other compounds he's delivering with HIS nutrient line - That's an unknown to us.
I use it in soil building not just for the Ca.....I know some Gypsum's are Ca sulfate based also - those tend to be less water soluble or less concentrated soluble.
Need an available 5% for cannabis in hydro and running RO or ultra low ppm water.
Then again, I'm really familiar with my organic Gypsum in prilled form... Same with my brand of powdered. They do tend to be different by manufacturer.
That BIOMIN is great stuff. It contains encapsulated Amino's and Organic acids that don't allow negative interactions by other metal compounds.
Once delivered to the plant, those same Amino's and Org. acids, change the excess Ca to slow uptake N.
I simply love this product for soil amending needs of the farm. It makes it a great source for the cannabis garden also...
Really, about anything for blossom end rot should work.... Only thing I might look to? If he's got at least .5% available Fe.. Kinda a balancing agent in our use.
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cannabineer
Ursus marijanus
Speak of the devil!
I can’t compound a concentrated Ca source from gypsum, but the solution grade is a very fine powder that dissolved up to 0.2% in water or use-ready nutrient. It dissolves in seconds with a quick stir; excellent solution kinetics.
FWIW, gypsum is calcium sulfate dihydrate; they’re synonymous.
For a liquid concentrate, I’d select calcium nitrate (the feed-store sort that is a double salt with ammonium) or calcium acetate, which is a lot more expensive than the previous two salts.
A good calcium acetate can be made of vinegar and powdered eggshell or lime.
Gypsum is my favorite because the plant has a broad tolerance for sulfate ion, and I don’t have to recalculate my other components to get a good N quantity.
Calcium chloride is also dirt-cheap as a deicer for driveways etc. However this adds lotsa chloride, which interferes with the uptake of other anions. Higher risk of lockout.
Dr. Who
Well-Known Member
Oh yeah, Salts block Ca in soil....
Gypsum is CaSO4·2H2O - Shit! I forgot the chemical makeup - Got me on the sulfate dihydrate
So what brand do you use?
Diamond K ?
cannabineer
Ursus marijanus
Oh goodness I don’t remember. What the feed store had that day. It now lives in 3-gallon buckets marked with the formula and formula weight.
I’ve bought two different brands and either dissolved in a pleasing manner.
So yeah gypsum is calcium sulphate. It is crazy how fast it dissolves. I didn’t actually believe my eyes. I was dumping over 100g of the stuff into my res and it literally vanished as if by magic.
It seems I have calcium deficiency. Not magnesium or anything else?
So I have now tried added just gypsum. No Epsom salts. I’m running my normal dose of base nutes alongside it. Hoping I see improvement
It seems I have calcium deficiency. Not magnesium or anything else?
So I have now tried added just gypsum. No Epsom salts. I’m running my normal dose of base nutes alongside it. Hoping I see improvement
Dr. Who
Well-Known Member
In hydro operations, you need to amend the Ca and the Mg. As a general rule of thumb Ca at 5% and Mg at 1.5% and you should have an available Fe of .5% to help availability and relationship with other micro's
This apply's to operations using low ppm water source's - RO etc, etc.
Even with higher ppm sourced water - I want to KNOW whats in that water and get it tested so I can adjust to a new starting point to dial in my strains.
My base claims to have 7% ca and 2.5%mag which is why I was confused when I am getting this deficiency.
I’ve added gypsum 2 days ago now and still showing signs of ca deficiency. CAnt tell for sure if it’s getting worse or not yet I’ll have to keep an eye over next couple of days
Dr. Who
Well-Known Member
It would be so much easier if I was there to see what they really look like with my eye's and see what your actually doing and the whole set-up.
That being out of the question - What nutrient line do you use?
How much of each in a per gallon ratio please?
List that in ml please.
RDWC requires lower operating concentrations.... You have thin film.... and aero right?
Are the 2 styles of operating coming out the same?
That being out of the question - What nutrient line do you use?
How much of each in a per gallon ratio please?
List that in ml please.
RDWC requires lower operating concentrations.... You have thin film.... and aero right?
Are the 2 styles of operating coming out the same?
It’s veg+bloom RO soft. It’s a powder so no liquid.
I don’t measure the grams. I add it and watch the plants and measure by Ppm’s in the water (X500 Ec)
It’s vertical pipes stacked floor to ceiling. Plants sit in the side of the pipe. Water sprinkler at the top of the pipes so sort of a low pressure aero or nft. Kind of a hybrid I designed to increase canopy size in less sq foot
I’m a fucking idiot -
I have a 1000l res but it’s multiple small reservoirs joined together and I have a 16000 lph water pump circulating water and mixing it all up. It’s a loud pump so you can hear when it’s on.
Anyway I just happened to put my hand in the water to check one of the 2 inch hose outlets in the tank. I don’t usually get close to them as they are behind huge plants now.
Turns out nothing is coming out the fucking outlet!
Checked the pump and it’s making the usual noise I can hear the motor spinning but nothing moving. No clue what could be blocking the pipe as I have filters on the pumps intake.
Anyway as soon as the store opens in the morning I’m going out for a replacement pump and parts early start tomorrow!
These pumps have been flawless for me no issues with them for years so never even expected this to happen
I have a 1000l res but it’s multiple small reservoirs joined together and I have a 16000 lph water pump circulating water and mixing it all up. It’s a loud pump so you can hear when it’s on.
Anyway I just happened to put my hand in the water to check one of the 2 inch hose outlets in the tank. I don’t usually get close to them as they are behind huge plants now.
Turns out nothing is coming out the fucking outlet!
Checked the pump and it’s making the usual noise I can hear the motor spinning but nothing moving. No clue what could be blocking the pipe as I have filters on the pumps intake.
Anyway as soon as the store opens in the morning I’m going out for a replacement pump and parts early start tomorrow!
These pumps have been flawless for me no issues with them for years so never even expected this to happen
Dr. Who
Well-Known Member
YOU FOUND YOUR PROBLEM!
Man, you said the available Ca and Mg and I was like,,,WTF? I was back to pH...
Good deal you found that man! Good Luck sir, carry on!
