Watering question?

Rob2522

Member
Hey guys,
I'm currently running a single bucket Dwc with airstone. I'm just wondering when the water level gets low do I top up with Ph'd tap water or do I add nutes into the water?

I do weekly water and nute changes but often top up with just Ph'd tap water.
 

fragileassassin

Well-Known Member
I've found things go better if I leave early water longer when they are younger. During veg, I leave mine at least 2-3 weeks unless they start to smell weird. I do have things pretty well dialed in though.

The answer is a bit more in depth and you'll want to "read" your plants wants.
Take ppm reading when you change water and add new nutes. When it gets to the point you feel it needs more water, take another reading. If its lower, they want more so top up with a slightly stronger solution than before. If it's about the same, top with the same level of nutrient solution. If ppm is higher, you're overfeeding and should top with water or lighter strength nutrient solution. Talking changes of over 25-30ish ppm.
Once you've replaced the full system volume, change it next time you go to top off.

Hope that makes sense.
My flower system is about 60gal. I pre mix nutrient in a 55gal barrel that feeds into my outside res on a float valve. So that system always stays at the same level. I monitor ppm and adjust the strength in the barrel if it starts to drift and make any major changes directly to the system if it has a big swing. Once the barrel is empty, I change the water.
 

rob333

Well-Known Member
Hey guys,
I'm currently running a single bucket Dwc with airstone. I'm just wondering when the water level gets low do I top up with Ph'd tap water or do I add nutes into the water?

I do weekly water and nute changes but often top up with just Ph'd tap water.
you can go 2 ways top up or dump and refill i top up but dump every week in flower
 

Rob2522

Member
I've found things go better if I leave early water longer when they are younger. During veg, I leave mine at least 2-3 weeks unless they start to smell weird. I do have things pretty well dialed in though.

The answer is a bit more in depth and you'll want to "read" your plants wants.
Take ppm reading when you change water and add new nutes. When it gets to the point you feel it needs more water, take another reading. If its lower, they want more so top up with a slightly stronger solution than before. If it's about the same, top with the same level of nutrient solution. If ppm is higher, you're overfeeding and should top with water or lighter strength nutrient solution. Talking changes of over 25-30ish ppm.
Once you've replaced the full system volume, change it next time you go to top off.

Hope that makes sense.
My flower system is about 60gal. I pre mix nutrient in a 55gal barrel that feeds into my outside res on a float valve. So that system always stays at the same level. I monitor ppm and adjust the strength in the barrel if it starts to drift and make any major changes directly to the system if it has a big swing. Once the barrel is empty, I change the water.
Thanks for the info man that's put my mind at rest. This is why I love this forum for info. People always get back to you.
 

fragileassassin

Well-Known Member
Thanks for the info man that's put my mind at rest. This is why I love this forum for info. People always get back to you.
No problem. And you dont have to premixed the solution either. You can just add water to your res and then just bring the nutrient level in it back up to where you need.
 
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