New to DWC systems need a bit of info

Im doing the 5 gallon bucket. I know the ph needs to between 5.5 - 6.5 ph. But the nutrients part. Im following foxfarm feeding schedule. Should I cut what it says in half and increase as you go or should i just follow as it says. I know soil they say to only do half and incease if necessary.
 

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rkymtnman

Well-Known Member
i'd start at 1/8 to 1/4 of what they say. less is more in DWC. easier to add nutes than to fix a burnt plant.
 

JPinkPaw

Member
I think FF is a great product line for soil but felt that I would stick with nutrients that were specifically designed for hydro/DWC.
IMO Their feeding schedule overshoots the dosages by a lot; my EC measurements would run into 4+. Much easier to start with a light load and increase based on daily measurements. Above advice is correct, 1/8-1/4 of what they say
 

icetech

Well-Known Member
Hmm weird.
Mike, yeah i used to run around 5.7 but i kept chasing cal issues and it was making me nuts then i saw this chart and noticed cal and mag both drop off a lot under about 5.9ish... Since switching to 6.1ish i have had no issues.. but every grow is different.
hydroponics-ph-chart-marijuana.jpg
 

myke

Well-Known Member
Mike, yeah i used to run around 5.7 but i kept chasing cal issues and it was making me nuts then i saw this chart and noticed cal and mag both drop off a lot under about 5.9ish... Since switching to 6.1ish i have had no issues.. but every grow is different.
View attachment 4684564
For me it was either led light too close or ppm too high. I been keeping my ph 5.8 ish. Never really noticed any difference between 5.5 or 6.5. Just a natural reaction to get it below 6. Probably has something to do with water and what food ya use.
 

Larry3215

Well-Known Member
When you run out of fox farm, switch to a pure salt nute. The organics in Foxfarm will feed bacteria and help them grow like crazy - especially if you cant keep water temps at 70F or lower.

I highly recommend Jacks 321 Hydro. Much cheaper too.
 

icetech

Well-Known Member
Rkym, i tried that tap formula and went back to normal jacks. i had weird issues with it including the ph going nuts. Their normal stuff works great and i only grow using tap.. cause RO is silly (if you have good water)
 

rkymtnman

Well-Known Member
Rkym, i tried that tap formula and went back to normal jacks. i had weird issues with it including the ph going nuts. Their normal stuff works great and i only grow using tap.. cause RO is silly (if you have good water)
thanks. did you try using Silica with it? i'm gonna try that and see if it helps pH at all.
 

icetech

Well-Known Member
i meant when you tried the Jack's Tap. we are talking about the same thing right? 15-5-20 one part
When i used the tap version.. and the normal version i don't add anything other than cal and mag.. i have never added silica or any other addons to a grow. Other than Southern AG of course...
 

chuck_the_noob

Active Member
right on I never needed it before. I was told the problem with my plants in the tent was no cal. But in my gro boxes They're thriving without it. My tent and water was too hot, and I did not want to buy an A/C. So I'm back to the old way.
 

icetech

Well-Known Member
that sucks :( I am lucky that i have a basement.. it stays 65-73 all year, so the lights in the tent take it to a nice 78ish..
 

chuck_the_noob

Active Member
that sucks :( I am lucky that i have a basement.. it stays 65-73 all year, so the lights in the tent take it to a nice 78ish..
My basement is cool also. But 2 philzon 600W dimmable lights are hot. And really heated up my tent. Thats why my bucket hangs down out the bottom of the box. I find that keeps my water cool. water tank pic.jpg I've done it like this for years. Never needed anything but nutes, and p.h. down. My water is around 8.2 ph. I never had it lower then 7.9.
 

icetech

Well-Known Member
My basement is cool also. But 2 philzon 600W dimmable lights are hot. And really heated up my tent. Thats why my bucket hangs down out the bottom of the box. I find that keeps my water cool. View attachment 4713832 I've done it like this for years. Never needed anything but nutes, and p.h. down. My water is around 8.2 ph. I never had it lower then 7.9.
wow 7.9 is insane, my plants would be dead in days like that. or at least on their way. But whatever works.

BTW.. do you have fans drawing air through the boxes? they should stay in the 70's even with the 600w light as long as you have air pulling through
 
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