GTConsulting
Member
Background:
I built what is essentially a mini continuous flow DWC system using 2x 5gal growing buckets and 1x 5gal res. 400gpm pump sends soup to the 2 growing buckets that fill via waterfall action and a raised drain tube (that allows me to easily adjust water level) drains much faster than it fills to keep water levels steady. DO is hopefully sufficient w/ the waterfall action, siphon drain, and continuous water movement, but I'm supplementing with some H2O2 for now just in case since I just transplanted last Friday. Seedlings are in rockwool cubes and surrounded by well-rinsed and pre-soaked hydroton media. Water level submerses the bottom layer of hydroton but is about 1/2" lower than bottom of the rockwool cube. Seedlings appear to be growing fine. Will lower water level once roots poke through bottom of net pot. Total water volume ~10gal
I've been testing ph and ppm daily (first time grow). I know pH will continuously rise as more CO2 is mixed into the water from the agitation (and the Ca buffers in the tap water), so I've been adjusting daily down to about 5.9, which will rise to about 6.4 the next morning.
I presume this is still the seedling stage, so I'm using between 100-300 ppm of nutes. Filtered tap water came in at ~240ppm.
The total ppl has been steadily rising about 80-120 per day. 1/1: 420; 1/2: 500; 1/3:580; 1/4:720. Water level has been consistent so it's definitely not evaporation, nor are 2 seedlings drinking the water. Res temp ~72 (working on lowering it). Is the submerged layer of hydroton adding ppm to the water? I did notice some clay "sand" in the res. wtf?
Problem/issue:
I don't think the pH is supposed to fluctuate that much, is it?
What the flying F is going on w/ my ppms?
I built what is essentially a mini continuous flow DWC system using 2x 5gal growing buckets and 1x 5gal res. 400gpm pump sends soup to the 2 growing buckets that fill via waterfall action and a raised drain tube (that allows me to easily adjust water level) drains much faster than it fills to keep water levels steady. DO is hopefully sufficient w/ the waterfall action, siphon drain, and continuous water movement, but I'm supplementing with some H2O2 for now just in case since I just transplanted last Friday. Seedlings are in rockwool cubes and surrounded by well-rinsed and pre-soaked hydroton media. Water level submerses the bottom layer of hydroton but is about 1/2" lower than bottom of the rockwool cube. Seedlings appear to be growing fine. Will lower water level once roots poke through bottom of net pot. Total water volume ~10gal
I've been testing ph and ppm daily (first time grow). I know pH will continuously rise as more CO2 is mixed into the water from the agitation (and the Ca buffers in the tap water), so I've been adjusting daily down to about 5.9, which will rise to about 6.4 the next morning.
I presume this is still the seedling stage, so I'm using between 100-300 ppm of nutes. Filtered tap water came in at ~240ppm.
The total ppl has been steadily rising about 80-120 per day. 1/1: 420; 1/2: 500; 1/3:580; 1/4:720. Water level has been consistent so it's definitely not evaporation, nor are 2 seedlings drinking the water. Res temp ~72 (working on lowering it). Is the submerged layer of hydroton adding ppm to the water? I did notice some clay "sand" in the res. wtf?
Problem/issue:
I don't think the pH is supposed to fluctuate that much, is it?
What the flying F is going on w/ my ppms?
