|
 Some of these posts are very old and might contain outdated information. You may wish to search for newer posts instead.
|
 biffzilla
Stranger
Registered: 03/31/11
Posts: 1
Last seen: 12 years, 9 months
|
 can I use N-P-K nutes for hydroponics simply? 
#608758 - 02/08/12 03:25 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
|
|
I got the chemical fertilizer that has some N-P-K ratios I don't really have money for hydroponic food would this n-p-k stuff be ok?
any info on that?
i might use a nft system...
|
kyuzo
Stranger Than Fiction
Registered: 07/05/10
Posts: 981
Last seen: 11 years, 10 months
|
Re: can I use N-P-K nutes for hydroponics simply? [Re: biffzilla]
#608760 - 02/08/12 04:03 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
|
|
what brand fertilizer, and does it mention being "complete" on the label?
|
 Magash
The Feminizer
Registered: 04/21/08
Posts: 6,634
|
Re: can I use N-P-K nutes for hydroponics simply? [Re: kyuzo]
#608761 - 02/08/12 04:48 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
|
|
Your also gonna have to be very careful. The roots are going to be in the solution all the time so you have to adjust the amount you use very carefully. Not gonna be easy without a ppm meter.
--------------------
All creatures tremble when faced with violence. All creatures fear death, all love life. If we can only see ourselves in others, then how could we possibly hurt another creature?
 Join us at the Growery!
|
kyuzo
Stranger Than Fiction
Registered: 07/05/10
Posts: 981
Last seen: 11 years, 10 months
|
Re: can I use N-P-K nutes for hydroponics simply? [Re: Magash]
#608767 - 02/08/12 06:56 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Magash said:
Your also gonna have to be very careful. The roots are going to be in the solution all the time so you have to adjust the amount you use very carefully. Not gonna be easy without a ppm meter.
I might be wrong, but I think there are ways to "calculate" the ppm based on the npk ratio
http://www.firstrays.com/fertcalc.htm
can't really speak to it's accuracy though
|
Hawksresurrection
Registered: 12/04/08
Posts: 13,464
|
Re: can I use N-P-K nutes for hydroponics simply? [Re: kyuzo]
#608781 - 02/08/12 11:57 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
|
|
But once you start using that solution with the plants it will begin to fluctuate. If doing hydro you really do need a PPM if you want to get really good results.
--------------------
Dude she isn't as young as she use to be.
-niteowl
|
Miscusi
Grade 10
Registered: 12/16/11
Posts: 703
Loc: Sunnyvale Trailer Park, C... 
Last seen: 1 year, 5 months
|
Re: can I use N-P-K nutes for hydroponics simply? [Re: Hawksresurrection]
#608782 - 02/08/12 12:10 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
hawksapprentice said:
But once you start using that solution with the plants it will begin to fluctuate. If doing hydro you really do need a PPM if you want to get really good results.
--------------------
"You cant arrest me, im high I cant understand my rights!"
Nanook said:
" People learn differently. Some can observe and gather what they need, others need to do it and experience all the options. One of those options being: burning down a mini fridge. "
Anything posted by me related to cultivation or illegal activities is purely fictional. It is intended for educational or entertainment purposes only.
Please help support the fight for Medical Marijuana in Florida
|
kyuzo
Stranger Than Fiction
Registered: 07/05/10
Posts: 981
Last seen: 11 years, 10 months
|
Re: can I use N-P-K nutes for hydroponics simply? [Re: Hawksresurrection]
#608799 - 02/08/12 03:54 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
|
|
I'm def not disagreeing with the recommendation for a TDS meter, just pointing out that you can supposedly get a rough estimate for it from the NPK ratio
|
Hawksresurrection
Registered: 12/04/08
Posts: 13,464
|
Re: can I use N-P-K nutes for hydroponics simply? [Re: kyuzo]
#608800 - 02/08/12 04:13 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
|
|
Of course. I just wouldn't do Hydro without a meter.
Can you make it work with out one? Yes. Will that site help? Yes.
But if someone isn't even willing to invest in proper equipment then I would recommend they just use soil.
--------------------
Dude she isn't as young as she use to be.
-niteowl
|
Magash
The Feminizer
Registered: 04/21/08
Posts: 6,634
|
Re: can I use N-P-K nutes for hydroponics simply? [Re: kyuzo]
#608865 - 02/09/12 07:45 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
kyuzo said:
I'm def not disagreeing with the recommendation for a TDS meter, just pointing out that you can supposedly get a rough estimate for it from the NPK ratio
Only for the nutrient solution that you are going to start with but remember the plants use the water in the nutrient solution faster then the nutrients themselves so when it's time to top off you have to use a adjusted mix or change the entire mix every time.
--------------------
All creatures tremble when faced with violence. All creatures fear death, all love life. If we can only see ourselves in others, then how could we possibly hurt another creature?
Join us at the Growery!
|
Hawksresurrection
Registered: 12/04/08
Posts: 13,464
|
Re: can I use N-P-K nutes for hydroponics simply? [Re: Magash]
#608868 - 02/09/12 08:10 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Magash said:
Quote:
kyuzo said:
I'm def not disagreeing with the recommendation for a TDS meter, just pointing out that you can supposedly get a rough estimate for it from the NPK ratio
Only for the nutrient solution that you are going to start with but remember the plants use the water in the nutrient solution faster then the nutrients themselves so when it's time to top off you have to use a adjusted mix or change the entire mix every time.
I like to change the mix every time.
--------------------
Dude she isn't as young as she use to be.
-niteowl
|
kyuzo
Stranger Than Fiction
Registered: 07/05/10
Posts: 981
Last seen: 11 years, 10 months
|
Re: can I use N-P-K nutes for hydroponics simply? [Re: Hawksresurrection]
#608869 - 02/09/12 08:17 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
|
|
how often were you changing your mix?
|
Magash
The Feminizer
Registered: 04/21/08
Posts: 6,634
|
Re: can I use N-P-K nutes for hydroponics simply? [Re: Hawksresurrection]
#608870 - 02/09/12 08:21 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
|
|
True it's better to change the mix every time but in a case like mine where I have 64 reservoirs each 55 gallons to do that would be extremely inefficient. 
--------------------
All creatures tremble when faced with violence. All creatures fear death, all love life. If we can only see ourselves in others, then how could we possibly hurt another creature?
Join us at the Growery!
|
Hawksresurrection
Registered: 12/04/08
Posts: 13,464
|
Re: can I use N-P-K nutes for hydroponics simply? [Re: kyuzo]
#608969 - 02/10/12 06:40 PM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
kyuzo said:
how often were you changing your mix?
Once a week.
--------------------
Dude she isn't as young as she use to be.
-niteowl
|
kyuzo
Stranger Than Fiction
Registered: 07/05/10
Posts: 981
Last seen: 11 years, 10 months
|
Re: can I use N-P-K nutes for hydroponics simply? [Re: Hawksresurrection]
#609001 - 02/11/12 01:09 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
|
|
Not to hijack this thread, but is there a benefit to starting out with a high PPM solution, as opposed to just maintaining your solution at the correct ppm, and at a moderate level?
Basically, what I am asking, given the risk of doing damage to your plant, is there a benefit to maintaining a ppm solution at 1200ppm (I'm just throwing a high figure out there), as opposed to having one at say 600 ppm, that you balance and correct daily?
|
Hawksresurrection
Registered: 12/04/08
Posts: 13,464
|
Re: can I use N-P-K nutes for hydroponics simply? [Re: kyuzo]
#609002 - 02/11/12 01:35 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
|
|
Youll burn your plants if they're not growing vigorously to handle that high of a PPM.
--------------------
Dude she isn't as young as she use to be.
-niteowl
|
Magash
The Feminizer
Registered: 04/21/08
Posts: 6,634
|
Re: can I use N-P-K nutes for hydroponics simply? [Re: kyuzo]
#609003 - 02/11/12 02:03 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
kyuzo said:
Not to hijack this thread, but is there a benefit to starting out with a high PPM solution, as opposed to just maintaining your solution at the correct ppm, and at a moderate level?
Basically, what I am asking, given the risk of doing damage to your plant, is there a benefit to maintaining a ppm solution at 1200ppm (I'm just throwing a high figure out there), as opposed to having one at say 600 ppm, that you balance and correct daily?
Better to start with a mid strength solution cause the ppm rises as the plant uses water. In other words you mix the solution the plants do fine for a day or two then all of a sudden they burn.
--------------------
All creatures tremble when faced with violence. All creatures fear death, all love life. If we can only see ourselves in others, then how could we possibly hurt another creature?
Join us at the Growery!
|
kyuzo
Stranger Than Fiction
Registered: 07/05/10
Posts: 981
Last seen: 11 years, 10 months
|
Re: can I use N-P-K nutes for hydroponics simply? [Re: Hawksresurrection]
#609004 - 02/11/12 02:36 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
hawksapprentice said:
Youll burn your plants if they're not growing vigorously to handle that high of a PPM.
I was just throwing a number out there. What I was mainly asking is if it's better to have a high concentration nutrient mix, or one at a moderate ppm, that you balance daily
|
Hawksresurrection
Registered: 12/04/08
Posts: 13,464
|
Re: can I use N-P-K nutes for hydroponics simply? [Re: kyuzo]
#609006 - 02/11/12 02:51 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
|
|
Because your going to burn your plants. You want to always try and keep your PPM at a maximum amount to get the most out of your growth without burning.
But one of the reasons you top your reservoir off is that your plants don't suck up all the nutrients evenly. Sometimes they'll be eating more nitrogen than potassium etc. So its best to keep topping your res off with a balanced nutrient solution.
On the flip side sometimes their only taking water up. So you need to pay attention to your ppm's and pH and keep everything in balance every day. Hydro isn't just a set it and forget grow method if you really want to make it work.
--------------------
Dude she isn't as young as she use to be.
-niteowl
|
kyuzo
Stranger Than Fiction
Registered: 07/05/10
Posts: 981
Last seen: 11 years, 10 months
|
Re: can I use N-P-K nutes for hydroponics simply? [Re: Magash]
#609007 - 02/11/12 02:53 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
Magash said:
Quote:
kyuzo said:
Not to hijack this thread, but is there a benefit to starting out with a high PPM solution, as opposed to just maintaining your solution at the correct ppm, and at a moderate level?
Basically, what I am asking, given the risk of doing damage to your plant, is there a benefit to maintaining a ppm solution at 1200ppm (I'm just throwing a high figure out there), as opposed to having one at say 600 ppm, that you balance and correct daily?
Better to start with a mid strength solution cause the ppm rises as the plant uses water. In other words you mix the solution the plants do fine for a day or two then all of a sudden they burn.
I watch my solution pretty closely, and check the ppm, PH, and top off (with RO water if necessary) at least daily. And completely change out my solution every 10 days (in your situation I can understand why that isn't just going to happen). At this point I started the ten day cycle with a 600ppm solution, and make sure the solutions reverts to that point every time I take measurements (by either adding water, or nutrients). My next water change I was planning to bump up the ppm to 800
What I am asking is that in the above circumstances, is there really a benefit to bumping up my ppm my next water change, or would I have the same benefits just keeping the solution at 600ppm?
I am assuming is the PPM acts as little more than a gas tank, and that as long as I'm doing daily, small refills (the constantly correcting back to 600ppm), that there isn't really much of a need to start at a higher ppm
PS I'm also assuming that the nutrients are not all used at the same rate, so I would continue to change the solution every ten days, so to avoid any huge imbalance in the formula
|
kyuzo
Stranger Than Fiction
Registered: 07/05/10
Posts: 981
Last seen: 11 years, 10 months
|
Re: can I use N-P-K nutes for hydroponics simply? [Re: Hawksresurrection]
#609008 - 02/11/12 02:55 AM (12 years, 9 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
hawksapprentice said:
Because your going to burn your plants. You want to always try and keep your PPM at a maximum amount to get the most out of your growth without burning.
But one of the reasons you top your reservoir off is that your plants don't suck up all the nutrients evenly. Sometimes they'll be eating more nitrogen than potassium etc. So its best to keep topping your res off with a balanced nutrient solution.
On the flip side sometimes their only taking water up. So you need to pay attention to your ppm's and pH and keep everything in balance every day. Hydro isn't just a set it and forget grow method if you really want to make it work.
well the plants would use the same amount of nutrients if they were feeding from a 1000ppm solution as a 600 ppm solution, right? The only difference is there would be a bigger gas tank (reserve in nutrients) in the higher ppm solution
Or is my thinking just off here
|
|
Threaded
Previous
Index
Next
Edit 
Reply 
