Help, new under current H20 grower. questions.

[redi jedi]

Yeah cultured solutions chart. Never used the high aeration feed chart though and am going to try it next round. Tops out at 350 ppm on 500 scale! Seems impossible but we'll see. I run over at thcfarmer too because it's the most active place I can find with rdwc, specifically current culture users.

Would love to get more discussion on these systems and how everyone is running them here!

I've seen their chart, I can't run ppms that low with the nutes I use...canna aqua.

 

[Slimjimham]

Right on, never tried that line. Just figured I'd throw it out there. Have you tried cultured solutions? Not saying is the best because my nutrient use is limited in hydro but my ph is rock steady with a light rise over weeks. I know lots of people who chase the ph up and down, glad I don't have to do that. May look into a new line to try in one of the systems to compare though. But I'm very happy with the results and price

 

[ttystikk]

Yeah cultured solutions chart. Never used the high aeration feed chart though and am going to try it next round. Tops out at 350 ppm on 500 scale! Seems impossible but we'll see. I run over at thcfarmer too because it's the most active place I can find with rdwc, specifically current culture users.

Would love to get more discussion on these systems and how everyone is running them here!

Those self serving pricks ran me off a couple years ago. My RDWC is better than any of theirs.

 

[ttystikk]

I've seen their chart, I can't run ppms that low with the nutes I use...canna aqua.

That's because they don't want anyone to know they're advocating starving your plants. I run as high as EC 2.0... which says two things;
One, that I'm not afraid of running a big number when it's called for and
Two, that I'm interested in the real value, not some bullshit ppm number that no one ever defines.

 

[Slimjimham]

I think you have it all wrong man. Not trying to sound like a fan boy and there are surly a million different ways to grow with great results but for whatever reason the systems run better at those lower numbers they recommend.

I'm not sure what system you're running but I doubt it's so much better than theirs, though I agree they can be abrasive as sales people and all. I'm running an identical clone of their systems, just bought the parts myself. Save a lot of money drilling a couple holes ha.

But think about it, why would any nutrient company recommend such low ppm if higher ppm worked better? The more nutrients they sell you the more they make. So by doubling those numbers they would literally double the profit from their nutrient line.....

 

[ttystikk]

I think you have it all wrong man. Not trying to sound like a fan boy and there are surly a million different ways to grow with great results but for whatever reason the systems run better at those lower numbers they recommend.

I'm not sure what system you're running but I doubt it's so much better than theirs, though I agree they can be abrasive as sales people and all. I'm running an identical clone of their systems, just bought the parts myself. Save a lot of money drilling a couple holes ha.

But think about it, why would any nutrient company recommend such low ppm if higher ppm worked better? The more nutrients they sell you the more they make. So by doubling those numbers they would literally double the profit from their nutrient line.....

Okay, so from the top; the Undercurrent sucks. The plants give no shits about water flowing beneath, it's the airstones splashing water up on the roots that makes them work at all. I solved that problem with topfeed continuous waterfall into the RDWC. No airstones, no bullshit. My plants grow faster than they ever did with airstones. Agreed about saving money doing it yourself!

Moving on to the nutrient thing, my plants respond well at EC 1.8-2.0 under 860W CDM lighting, temps about 80, RH about 65-70%. Not sure how I can be plainer than that. I can't speak to other scenarios, this is the one I've found works for me.

 

[Slimjimham]

Huh, what does airstones splashing water on roots do for rdwc plants?

Really not trying to get into it and obv there are many great different ways to grow but it's just another type of system.

But again I go to my comment, why would they recommend such low ppm for their own nutrient line in turn reducing their sales....

not saying is the best system or the only way to go but when run right it's up there with the best of em

 

[ttystikk]

Huh, what does airstones splashing water on roots do for rdwc plants?

Really not trying to get into it and obv there are many great different ways to grow but it's just another type of system.

But again I go to my comment, why would they recommend such low ppm for their own nutrient line in turn reducing their sales....

not saying is the best system or the only way to go but when run right it's up there with the best of em

Airstones splash nutrient water into roots dangling above the waterline. Without them those errors never make it to water. With the rodded system, not only is an abundance of water always at hand, but the waterfall action aerates it at the same time- better, in fact, than airstones.

Believe me, I tried every combo. Airstones do work. Topfeed is better and simpler since airstones are no longer needed. Even the connections between runs and control bucket is easier because of less flow needed. Etc etc...

Maybe if plants are fed really low nutrient strengths they get used to it? No idea, haven't tried out. I'm sticking where I know works for me.

 

[redi jedi]

Right on, never tried that line. Just figured I'd throw it out there. Have you tried cultured solutions? Not saying is the best because my nutrient use is limited in hydro but my ph is rock steady with a light rise over weeks. I know lots of people who chase the ph up and down, glad I don't have to do that. May look into a new line to try in one of the systems to compare though. But I'm very happy with the results and price

Nope, I still have the samples that came with my UC's. I've tried AN, GH and Canna. All are decent IMO, but I prefer Canna and have been using it for a few years now. I wouldn't switch unless they went outta business. And I dont feel like riding another learning curve..

 

[redi jedi]

That's because they don't want anyone to know they're advocating starving your plants. I run as high as EC 2.0... which says two things;
One, that I'm not afraid of running a big number when it's called for and
Two, that I'm interested in the real value, not some bullshit ppm number that no one ever defines.

Or maybe they believe it to be the correct way? But I agree, those numbers are unbelievably low. I also approach or sometimes exceed 2.0 EC factor. When I use PK13/14, I'm over 2.0 usually.

Big girls dont get big on a diet...lol

 

[ttystikk]

Or maybe they believe it to be the correct way? But I agree, those numbers are unbelievably low. I also approach or sometimes exceed 2.0 EC factor. When I use PK13/14, I'm over 2.0 usually.

Big girls dont get big on a diet...lol

Zackly. My suspicion is that they want you to run really low EC numbers, notice the plants are still hungry, then get you to buy all their stupid additives.

 

[redi jedi]

Makes sense to me...also answers the question slimjim brought up. Probably a higher profit margin on the additives...just guessing though.

 

[ttystikk]

Makes sense to me...also answers the question slimjim brought up. Probably a higher profit margin on the additives...just guessing though.

I ran the numbers recently. I use an average of 400 gallons of nutrient solution every run, which costs me less than ten dollars. I can only imagine what H&G or Canna costs for the same amount.

 

[redi jedi]

I ran the numbers recently. I use an average of 400 gallons of nutrient solution every run, which costs me less than ten dollars. I can only imagine what H&G or Canna costs for the same amount.

LOL..alot more than 10 bucks. Shit in Canada, Canna is more expensive than AN!! One day I might look into mixing my own

 

[ttystikk]

LOL..alot more than 10 bucks. Shit in Canada, Canna is more expensive than AN!! One day I might look into mixing my own

I'm sure they'll ship. Even with shipping it ends up way less expensive.

 

[blackforest]

If you ship a large order (100 lbs +), hit me up. I broker freight for a living. I ship to Canada all the time.

 

[ttystikk]

If you ship a large order (100 lbs +), hit me up. I broker freight for a living. I ship to Canada all the time.

They'd need a big order for that. A hundred pounds of dry nutrient salts might last a hobby grower for ten years or more!

Still, it's nice to know someone in the business. I occasionally have need to ship large objects cross country.