This will actually be my first time using the Jack's Pro Hydro mix. I'm also no botanist\chemist, I don't even know which technical field title would be appropriate for someone dealing with this stuff haha.. So I'm still right there with ya as this will be very experimental for me unless someone else stumbles in saying how to ideally mix these up xD
Probably the most simple way to start with this combo would be to add them in equal amounts, it's suggested in one of the snippets I'm going to paste below, even.. ("On a small scale, the easiest way to use our Jacks Hydroponic System is to create a ready-to-use solution by combining ½ teaspoon of each formulation per gallon of water").. 5-12-26 + 15.5-0-0 = 20.5 - 12 - 26-ish, and rounding that would be fairly close to a typical 2-1-3 ratio. Take the -ish in to account though, as adding one thing can cause deficiencies in others, and I'm in no way qualified to do the more complex math lol. If you wanted a little boost to your nitrogen\calcium, just add a little more. If you believe in a lower N and higher P-K during bloom, you could add a little less. Aside from that, just watch the plant closely and try to keep her healthy. If you notice problems, look up a list of deficiencies and tweak it to fix it.
That's what I plan to do, at least. There's no one exact way to ideally mix these up though. The 5-12-26 is just a staple of nutes, that you're going to then supplement based on your specific needs to meet your desired ratios. When it comes to ratios, it's still an experimental science, at best. So I think the best results will come out of experimenting with it yourself to see what works for you. If you or someone else has a better idea or has already had success with the mix, please do share, ignore everything I've said, and take their advice instead lol.. I'm just overly tired and sort of thinking about how to do this myself as I type, so I could just be making an ass out of myself here.. I'm still waiting on my order to arrive, so if no one else chimes in to break it down with a simple step-by-step walkthrough on using these nutes, I'll certainly figure it out or fail miserably trying, and share after I've actually given it a go.
As far as Jack's missing a few nutes, you're mostly right in your thinking. It's not that they serve no purpose at all, but just that their required levels are very low. They're not in a lot of fertilizers even, because sufficient amounts will either be found in water and\or the cost of adding them at a higher ratio outweighs the effects it would actually have. An excess of Sodium, for example, can cause a Potassium deficiency, so higher-than-trace ratios could potentially cause more problems than it'd help. However, while not exactly required for a successful grow, there have been a number of people lately promoting the use of Silicon\Silica as not only just a trace element, but adding it in quantities rivaling that of the secondary or even the macro nutrients.
'riddleme' had a post talking about Silica's benefits here on RIU, if you'd like a look:
https://www.rollitup.org/newbie-central/316301-calling-all-noob-growers-5.html#post4021272
Here's the snippets I found of two different general instructions on mixing up the solution:
"Follow these steps to obtain a precipitate free solution
1. Dissolve 130 ounces of 5-12-26 Hydroponic in 1000 gallons of final feed solution. You will obtain the
following elemental PPM concentrations:
Element N P K Mg SO4 Fe Mn Zn Cu B Mo
PPM 50 52 215 63 246 3 .50 .15 .15 .50 .10
2. Dissolve any additional Epsom Salts desired into the above 1000 gallon solution before proceeding. For
most crops 50 PPM Magnesium is an adequate level in solution. To increase your Magnesium levels
dissolve 10 ounces of Epsom Salts in 1000 gallons of final feed solution to obtain 7.5 PPM additional
Magnesium.
3. Dissolve 86 ounces of Calcium Nitrate into the above 1000 gallon solution to obtain a total nutrient
concentration of 150 PPM Nitrogen and 116 PPM Calcium.
E.C at 100 ppm N = 2.10 Limit of Solubility= 3 lb/gal."
"SPECIAL MIXING DIRECTIONS:
Jacks Hydroponic formulation and Jacks Calcium Nitrate are packaged separately, and require a
little special attention when mixing - in order to avoid forming a precipitant in the tank. These
products must be dissolved either in a two tank system or in dilute (or Ready-to-Use) quantities.
Following these specific stepwise directions is vital, along with the knowledge that these items
should NEVER be mixed in a concentrate tank together.
On a small scale, the easiest way to use our Jacks Hydroponic System is to create a
ready-to-use solution by combining ½ teaspoon of each formulation per gallon of water - just
make sure you do not combine them in any stronger concentrations or the materials will solidify
and drop to the bottom of the solution. Also, be sure to aerate the solution with a bubbler or
change the solution every other day to maintain proper oxygen levels.
Note: An alternative to mixing the products together is to apply them separately, using one at a
time and alternating them every other feeding. This will assure that your plants are receiving the
ideal levels of nutrients.
