medidedicated
Well-Known Member
I use medical syringes to measure the nute amount.
Yes that's true weighing powder is more accurate... I'm thinking about mixing my own nutrient powder... But first I will use up all my liquid nutes so they don't go to waste lol!
It was a questions because I was wondering why my plants were deficient. I did all what people say. They always recommended something like EC 1.0 but my plants got deficient so I calculated what's in my nutrient solution when I'm at 1.0 EC and what the label of my nutrients say. After calculating how much of each nutrient is in my nutrient reservoir I came to the conclusion that it's not enought at EC 1.0 and I need a minimum of 1.7 to reach a good NPK ppm (and the rest of the nutrients of course).
My plants were sick. And with low EC (1.0 for example) like people recommended they were still deficient.
EC 1.0 stats:
N 58
P 49
K 88
Mg 68
Ca 69
EC 1.7 stats:
N 96
P 82
K 147
Mg 114
Ca 115
Now with EC 1.7 they start to look better.
But the initial question was: Why I have calculated fewer ppms than my EC meter measures (I measure in EC but I've calculated in ppm)
I've calculated the nutrients ppm with the information on my fertilizer bottle and it says 750ppm for all nutrients.
But I've measured 1.7 EC. Why do I measure more EC than the actual nutrients in there?
I've calculated 750ppm and measured 1.7 EC. So convert both to the same I have calculated 1.5 EC but I'm measuring 1.7EC. Why? Meter is calibrated and working fine. I was wondering if there is something in the fertilizer thats changing the EC but is not mentioned on the label like ph buffers or something. I measure 0.2EC more than I've calculated based on what the fertilizer bottle says.
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I used this chart and got great results which is 1.4 EC on light feed. I have not messed with my ec meter in months but from what I recalled it was on the low side of the estimate (1.4ec in this case) because distilled as you know, is pure.
At first I thought ok you got .5 EC just about from the 1:1:1 like ratio which is right. But to say you are getting 1.7 instead of 1.4 or 1.5 then that is weird unless it is because you are using a formula that is not as detailed as this feed chart posted.
For example, following a personalized feed chart now relies on that person answering directly why their EC is a certain way. Was it well tested like this manufacture? What water was used, distilled or filtered mineral water? I am learning right now how the chemistry is more complex than I thought.
Reactions happening at all times. But if you followed this chart by your manufacture, you would probably get the same EC range but they assume you know the EC is just a sign of strength. I add .5 ec from my tap and get 1.9 - 2.2EC and was fine even through flower.
Some ingredients I thought have higher EC than others too don’t they? calmg adds .8 EC for example. Lucas, isn’t that like just two of the 3 flora trio? Last time I looked I thought it was, might explain too.
PS if you have plant issues, just showing pics and info on what you’re doing to them goes a long way, others might point things out that you wouldn’t of otherwise known. Not sure how long you grew ( I haven’t all that long) but hydro, plants should be growing/uptaking aggressively.