Topping off Rez Using Advanced Nutrients Perfect pH

Just Be said:

Using a WaterFarm and its 2 gallon rez, I'd know that the rez is going to need more topping off once flowering is underway. Should I top it off with plain water or use a half strength mix of base nutes.? It seems to me that the plant wouldn't adjust too well to the pH of the tap water and would probably benefit from having the pH automatically adjusted by the use of a half strength mix. I think I've answered my own question here but I'm just putting this out there for confirmation. Once again, pardon my newbie-ish question but I feel that it's better to ask then to screw myself down the road. For the record, on this upcoming grow I have no intention of checking pH because it seems to me that the people that seem to have the most problems with AN's pH Perfect line are those who insist on checking their pH.

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Just Be said:

Using a WaterFarm and its 2 gallon rez, I'd know that the rez is going to need more topping off once flowering is underway. Should I top it off with plain water or use a half strength mix of base nutes.? It seems to me that the plant wouldn't adjust too well to the pH of the tap water and would probably benefit from having the pH automatically adjusted by the use of a half strength mix. I think I've answered my own question here but I'm just putting this out there for confirmation. Once again, pardon my newbie-ish question but I feel that it's better to ask then to screw myself down the road. For the record, on this upcoming grow I have no intention of checking pH because it seems to me that the people that seem to have the most problems with AN's pH Perfect line are those who insist on checking their pH.

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Wastei said:

1. Measure EC after rez change.

2. Top off with RO water, measure EC again.

3. Divide top off EC with EC at rez change to get % of nutrient consumed.

4. Add back plant food at calculated strength. I add 1/8 strength. It will differ some but 1/8 strength is a good start.

Good luck! Happy growing!

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Just Be said:

Thanks so much, Wastei! Suppose I wanted to run this WaterFarm DTW, would that eliminate my need for other AN products like Voodoo Juice, Tarantula, Sensizyme etc? It seems to me that the addition of beneficial bacteria is always a good thing but with daily rez changes the use of Sensizyme might be overkill. Any thoughts?

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Wastei said:

Me personally have better results with sterile systems. I got bigger and better root develop after switching. Plant food, pool shock and enzymes is the only thing I use as additives. Stick with just the plant food and enzymes. AN has "Sensi Grow" and "Connoisseur PH perfect" if I remember correctly.

You want a clean rootzone IMO, not roots inoculated with fungi working as a buffer. When the plant food is in readily available form for uptake by the plants I see no reason for using fungi and bacteria cultures. That being said I still use LABS aka EM-1 as additive, I count it as enzymes.

Stability and consistency is very important for me. I try to remove as many variables as possible.

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Just Be said:

Thanks again, Wastei. Are you running DTW? I actually have a fairly simple feed schedule that's specifically set up for autos using Sensi Bloom with the addition of Cal Mag, Tarantula, Carboload and Overdrive. I'm still unclear if daily rez changes would eliminate the need for enzymes but I'm pretty sure that the aforementioned should work DTW. This is all still pretty new to me so pardon me if my phraseology seems a little uncanny.

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Wastei said:

Me personally have better results with sterile systems. I got bigger and better root develop after switching. Plant food, pool shock and enzymes is the only thing I use as additives. Stick with just the plant food and enzymes. AN has "Sensi Grow" and "Connoisseur PH perfect" if I remember correctly.

You want a clean rootzone IMO, not roots inoculated with fungi working as a buffer. When the plant food is in readily available form for uptake by the plants I see no reason for using fungi and bacteria cultures. That being said I still use LABS aka EM-1 as additive, I count it as enzymes.

Stability and consistency is very important for me. I try to remove as many variables as possible.

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Aqua Man said:

You are kidding right? A clean root zone? What is clean? Beneficial bacteria and fungi are just that.... Beneficial. Hell the enzymes your using are created by bacteria...

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Wastei said:

...there's a lot of different ways of growing healthy plants.

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Just Be said:

And is mixing up and adding a fresh batch of Sensi Bloom, Tarantula, Carboload and Cal Mag every day one of those ways?

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Wastei said:

Not kidding. I aim for cleanliness, consistency, stability and ease of use. There's no reason to use beneficials in true hydro IMO.

Instead of trying to only get your points through and being "right" I think you should consider there's a lot of different ways of growing healthy plants.

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Wastei said:

Sure. People have amazing results either way. It's very important to control rez temps with organics! Keep it under 70F and you'll probably be fine.

With DTW and organic medium, either living or inert you will have benefits of using beneficials like "Tarantula"

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Just Be said:

Thanks again for your input. I'm trying to find a very simple method of growing that I can pass on to other patients that are tired of paying out the nose to the local dispensary.

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Just Be said:

I'm trying to find a very simple method of growing

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Aqua Man said:

I'm not trying to be right I'm trying to point out that statement is just plain wrong. Of course both methods work. I was not the one making the claims that a "clean" res is better while using enzymes that are created by bacteria. They are used because they are beneficial and bacteria produce them instead of adding artificially.


Again wrong... Temp has nothing to do with bad bacteria or poor root health... Your just regurgitated broscience.

All bacteria do well in low to mid 70s. If you have issues with healthy plants the temps may make things worse faster but with a healthy plant and bacteria colony you will see increased growth.

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rkymtnman said:

in addition to your waterfarm, throw a Hempy bucket in your tent. all the benefits of hydro without the mess of dirt.

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Just Be said:

One full grown and well trained auto in the WaterFarm is is going to use up every inch of available space that I have in this converted computer cabinet. I actually thought about going hempy prior to picking up the WaterFarm but I'd rather deal with hydroton than perlite.

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