Nubie DWC

Need help! One month no growth (or very slow).
I am using a 27 gal tote with two plants (with 17 gallons tap water, dechlorinated.) Tap water starts at an EC of .5 to .6. The strain is an OG kush Phenotype (that's about all the info I have on it, named Trilogy. Purchased from a dispensary).
Purchased the clones on March 1 and put them in my 2x4 grow tent with a Sun system LEC315 (18/6).
originally I had the nutrient mix too high and I thought I locked the plants out. So I flushed them for a day and a half and then when with a lower nutrient mix. Now at an EC of 1.7. I have not seen any improvement and it looks like they have nutrient burn as leaves are turning yellow and burnt tips. I am going to change the water again with maybe half of what I had to lower the EC. PH range I check daily and adjust to 5.5. Water level remains static, EC remains static and PH rises.
It is now day 45 and I see one plant having roots coming out the net pot.
Any thought on how to fix this?
This is my second grow and I must have gotten extremely lucky with the first, because I am following the same feeding schedule, but this one seems to be a lot more finicky. Thanks in advance!

Bearded farmer said:

Now at an EC of 1.7

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try something closer to 0.5 to 0.7 EC after a 12hr flush with plain RO

you're burning those ladies to death

Thats what I was afraid of. I am doing a water change today and will definitely lower EC. Thanks
Only have Tap water that has been sitting with air stones to remove chlorine. Hopefully that does not screw things up. My last grow I used 2 buckets with 3.5 gallons in each. I was using bottled spring water for those. Now 17 gallons is too much for bottled.

Bearded farmer said:

Now 17 gallons is too much for bottled.

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i bought 5 gal jugs of RO from walmart for years. it does make growing easier for a newer grower as you eliminate your water source as a problem.

what are your water temps? are you using anythign to prevent root rot?

How are you measuring your PH? Meter, drops, strips? Make absolutely sure your PH measurements are 100% accurate, that always should be addressed first before making any deficiency adjustments.

I have a bluelab PH meter/pen a bluelab EC meter. I calibrate it regularly and check the water daily. I don't think there is anything wrong with the pen though.
I think I will bite the bullet and go back to bottled water.

Bearded farmer said:

I have a bluelab PH meter/pen a bluelab EC meter. I calibrate it regularly and check the water daily. I don't think there is anything wrong with the pen though.
I think I will bite the bullet and go back to bottled water.

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one other thing too is to let your pH range from 5.5 to 6.1 , not just at 5.5

i would also get a water analysis from your municipal source. they have to provide you one for free. as you get a few grows under your belt, start going 75/25% ro/tap, 50/50 ro/tap, 25/75 ro/tap in your next grows and see how the plants react.

rkymtnman said:

one other thing too is to let your pH range from 5.5 to 6.1 , not just at 5.5

i would also get a water analysis from your municipal source. they have to provide you one for free. as you get a few grows under your belt, start going 75/25% ro/tap, 50/50 ro/tap, 25/75 ro/tap in your next grows and see how the plants react.

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Got it. I think i am going with the first tip and using bottled. It is less hassle. I just changed the water to straight bottled. I have a feeling that is going to get me back on track. The tap water where i am at is horrible (it was a bad idea to start with, I'm just cheap )

I wanted to thank you for the tips and help. FYI, I have the nutes back in at 0.4 EC. That is about 1/8 strength. Using Armor SI, CalMAG, Flora Gro, Micro and Bloom. I then add in Diamond Nectar, Rapid start , Hydroguard and Great white. PH'd to 5.5. I will let you know if I see any changes to the positive.

where is your water level compared to the bottom of the netpot?

now is when you use your EC meter to see if they are eating. it should start slowly dropping from 0.4 if they are eating. they might take a bit to recover from too strong nutes so give it a day or 3.

Bearded farmer said:

I wanted to thank you for the tips and help. FYI, I have the nutes back in at 0.4 EC. That is about 1/8 strength. Using Armor SI, CalMAG, Flora Gro, Micro and Bloom. I then add in Diamond Nectar, Rapid start , Hydroguard and Great white. PH'd to 5.5. I will let you know if I see any changes to the positive.

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Bf,
Remember that you have .5 ec minerals in your water and always include that in your calculations. So say you want to add .5 ec of nutrients... that would give you EC 1. And look at all the other crap you're pouring in there. You're a beginner so cut yourself and the plant some slack and keep it simple...
JD

rkymtnman said:

where is your water level compared to the bottom of the netpot?

now is when you use your EC meter to see if they are eating. it should start slowly dropping from 0.4 if they are eating. they might take a bit to recover from too strong nutes so give it a day or 3.

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I keep it about .5inches below the net pot. When I add ice bottles it rises to the bottom.

Bearded farmer said:

I keep it about .5inches below the net pot. When I add ice bottles it rises to the bottom.

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i'd expect to start seeing more root growth pretty soon.

when you add the ice bottles, does the water get too cold? less than 65F will inhibit growth.

This can save some head scratching...

That much hydroton needs to be watered from the top until the roots are beginning to show out the bottom of the basket.. Hydroton will not wick up the water needed to encourage to roots to grow down..

Jypsy Dog said:

This can save some head scratching...View attachment 4319068

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I have this printed and laminated and I keep it taped to my tent!

mytwhyt said:

That much hydroton needs to be watered from the top until the roots are beginning to show out the bottom of the basket.. Hydroton will not wick up the water needed to encourage to roots to grow down..

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About 1-2 times a day I run a pump to water the hydroton. Usually when I see it getting dry on the top. Thanks!

rkymtnman said:

i'd expect to start seeing more root growth pretty soon.

when you add the ice bottles, does the water get too cold? less than 65F will inhibit growth.

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I won't let it get below 64. I have been pretty good keeping it between 65 and less than 70.

JohnDee said:

Bf,
Remember that you have .5 ec minerals in your water and always include that in your calculations. So say you want to add .5 ec of nutrients... that would give you EC 1. And look at all the other crap you're pouring in there. You're a beginner so cut yourself and the plant some slack and keep it simple...
JD

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So are you saying maybe aI should think about just using the flora trio? I am using bottled spring water with an EC of 0.0 before I add anything. I understand that it is not RO water and there is some minerals in there. Thanks for the note though. I will keep this in mind!