I'm wanting to build a few of these for an attempt, but I'm still confused on how to feed using this. I've only ever ran FFOF soil, then fed liquid synth nutrients as needed, but it seems like topdressing is how you feed a SIP? Any other pointers you might give a first timer? I'd like to try to add some sort of float as a visual aid on the level of water left in the res, but that may not even be needed.
Any help appreciated.
Use good technique for top dressing:
Scratch and water in dry amendments, taking care not to run off into your reservoir as this can lead to lockout!
Or use a bamboo skewer to create a cylindrical hole into which dry amendments can be applied more deeply.
Or a balanced compost/soil blend can be added to the top of a settled planter, fertilizing and recharging.
Or any combo!
It's also good to have some kind of soil cover (e.g., plastic), not only to keep the top layers moist, but also to deter pests.
Lots of good posts in this thread!